Henderson County State Senator Timothy Mioffitt is one of three state senators who have introduced a bill which would eliminate participation trophies awarded to children who play recreational sports though leagues operated by local governments.
S.B. 430 was sponsored by Sens. Timothy Moffitt, Eddie Settle, and Bobby Hanig, and reads:
“Youth sports or other youth recreation activities operated under the authority of a local government shall not include awards for participants based solely on their participation in the sport or other activity. Awards provided in connection with the activity, if any, shall be based on identified performance achievements.”
Spokesman for the bill said - ” “What we’re not teaching our children is to be prepared for life, be prepared for failure.”
The conversation around participation trophies has grown over the past several years, with politicians, parents and coaches speculating that children have become less motivated in the classroom, and in their future careers.
“When kids are growing up they’re being taught it’s okay to just be OK,” “You don’t have to be the best.”
“If children can get a trophy regardless,” “they’re not going to give it their everything. It can transfer over into life. It can transfer over into the classroom.”
Sponsors of the bill hope the bill’s filing would encourage a greater conversation that would lead to a more, fine-tuned bill to be passed in the future.
