Custom Wooden Medals for Bristol Hive Netball

Bristol Hive Netball needed medals for young players aged 5 to 7.

At that age, the medal is not just about winning. It is about confidence, encouragement and helping children feel proud of taking part.

The medal needed to feel bright, friendly and age-appropriate while still looking like a proper sports award.

The custom wooden medal created for Bristol Hive Netball.

About the Event

Bristol Hive Netball gives young children a chance to build confidence, learn teamwork and enjoy sport in a positive setting.

For players aged 5 to 7, recognition matters. A medal can help turn the event into something they remember and talk about afterwards.

That meant the medal needed to feel fun and rewarding without looking too grown-up or too serious.

The Design Challenge

Designing medals for children is different from designing medals for adult races.

The organiser needed a medal that could:

• Feel exciting for young players.
• Use colour in a clear and friendly way.
• Show the Bristol Hive Netball identity.
• Be lightweight and easy for children to wear.
• Support a more sustainable approach to sports medals.

Why a Wooden Medal Worked

A wooden medal was a strong fit because it kept the medal lightweight, practical and easy to customise.

It also gave the event a more thoughtful alternative to a standard imported medal.

• The wooden base kept the medal light for younger children.
• The round shape made it familiar and easy to wear.
• The colour print helped the design feel bright and friendly.
• The pink and blue ribbon added energy and matched the youth sports feel.
• UK production helped keep the process more controlled.

The Medal Approach

The final design used a round wooden medal with Bristol Hive Netball branding and a colourful recycled polyester ribbon.

The design stayed simple so children could understand it straight away.

That is important. For younger age groups, a medal should not be packed with tiny detail. Clear branding, strong colour and a friendly finish usually work better.

What Other Sports Organisers Can Learn

Bristol Hive Netball is a useful example for schools, clubs and junior sports organisers.

Before choosing medals for a children’s sports event, ask:

• Will the medal feel exciting to the age group?
• Is the design simple enough to understand quickly?
• Is the medal light enough for children to wear comfortably?
• Does the ribbon colour add energy?
• Does the medal support participation, not just winning?
• Can the design work for photos, presentations and social posts?

For junior sports events, custom wooden medals work well because they can be colourful, lightweight and easy to adapt to the club identity.

Case Study Summary

The Final Result

The finished medal gave Bristol Hive Netball a colourful, child-friendly award that recognised young players in the right way.

It felt fun, lightweight and specific to the club, while still supporting a more sustainable approach to event medals.

For junior sports events, that balance matters: encouragement, clarity and a medal children are proud to receive.

Planning a School or Junior Sports Event?

If you are organising a school sports day, junior club event, netball tournament or children’s activity challenge, your medal should suit the age group and the moment.

We can help you choose the right material, shape, ribbon and finish based on your event, budget and deadline.