Term 1 moves fast. Swim carnivals, athletics days and pre-season presentations tend to stack up quickly, and the easiest way to add stress is leaving awards until the last minute.
If you’re organising medals for a school, P&C or local sports club, this guide walks you through what to order, how long things take, and how to make sure every student or player feels recognised on the day.
We’ll cover medal styles, ribbon choices, logo inserts, engraving timelines and inclusive award ideas — all with a focus on what works best for Term 1 events.
Choosing the Right Medals for School and Club Events
The best medals strike a balance between presentation, durability and budget. For most schools and community clubs, these options are proven favourites.
Classic Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals
The traditional trio is still the most popular choice for podium finishes and heats.
A 50 mm medal with a 25 mm logo insert works well for school crests, house colours or sport icons.
👉 Browse our range of school and sports medals
Stained Glass Medals
These feature a coloured inlay that catches the light outdoors, making them ideal for swim carnivals and athletics days. They photograph well and feel more playful for younger age groups.
Glass-Finish Medals
If you want a more premium look without the cost of crystal, glass-style medals are a great middle ground. They have clean edges and a smooth face that suits bold logos.
Themed Sport Medals
Short on time? Swimming, athletics, cricket and multi-sport medals are ready to go and remove the need for custom artwork.
Tip: If you’re unsure about size or weight for younger students, visiting the shop to compare medal series side by side can save you from over-ordering something too heavy.
Ribbon Colours That Look Great on Presentation Day
Ribbons do more visual work than most people expect, especially in photos and assemblies.
Popular Ribbon Choices for Schools and Clubs
- School or house colours – a simple way to reinforce identity
- Gold, Silver and Bronze – clean and traditional for placegetters
- Event-coded colours – one colour for swimming, another for athletics when events run across multiple weeks
If colour accuracy matters, bring in a uniform item or crest. Matching ribbons in person is far more reliable than guessing online.
👉 Explore award ribbons and medal combinations
Designing Clear 25 mm Logo Inserts
A 25 mm logo centre is small, so clarity is everything.
What Works Best at This Size
- Simplified artwork (no gradients or fine lines)
- Strong contrast between logo and background
- Short wording (crest + year or event name)
- Vector files where possible (AI, EPS or high-res PDF)
Long event names, student names and places are best engraved on the back of the medal instead.
Before production, we recommend approving a proof so you can see exactly how the logo reads at size.
How Custom Medal Centres Are Made
Ordering custom logo centres is straightforward:
- Share your logo and event details
- Choose your medal and ribbon combination
- Approve a digital proof
- Production and fitting
Standard 25 mm logo centres are produced locally. Fully custom medal designs take longer and should be planned well in advance.
January Lead Times for Term 1 Orders
January is peak season for school and club awards, so timelines vary depending on what you order.
- Stock medals with standard sport centres: often same-day for small quantities
- Medals with custom logo inserts: typically 2–5 business days
- Fully custom medals: several weeks (best ordered in Term 4)
If your presentation date is fixed, mention it early so engraving and production can be scheduled correctly.
How Long Does Medal Engraving Take?
Engraving time depends on quantity and complexity.
- Single medals: often done while you wait or same day
- Bulk engraving: usually 1–3 business days
- Urgent jobs: best handled by calling ahead
Inclusive Award Ideas That Recognise More Students
Beyond podium places, inclusive awards help celebrate effort, improvement and attitude.
Popular choices include:
- Fair Play
- Most Improved
- Personal Best
- Best Team Spirit
- Coach’s Award
- House Champion
Using the same medal series keeps presentations cohesive, with engraved backs clearly naming each award.
Visit Our Crows Nest Store for Hands-On Help
Choosing awards online can be tricky. In store, you can:
- Compare medal series, sizes and weights
- Match ribbon colours accurately
- Review logo proofs before production
- Book engraving with confidence
👉 Visit our Crows Nest trophy shop for local advice and reliable turnaround.
Final Takeaway
For a smooth Term 1 presentation:
- Order early, especially in January
- Keep logo inserts bold and simple
- Allow a few days for bulk engraving
- Include awards that recognise more than just first place
With the right preparation, your school or club awards will look sharp, run smoothly and feel meaningful for every participant.
