Personalised Sports Gifts: Ideas for 50+ Sports
Quick answer: A personalised sports word art print, shaped like their sport and filled with their name, team, position and proudest moments, is one of the most personal sports gifts you can give because nobody else will own the same one. Word Art Prints has designs for more than 50 sports, with digital downloads from £9.99, framed A4 prints from £22.99 and framed A3 prints from £30.99.
Updated October 2026
Buying for someone who lives for their sport sounds easy until you try it. They already own the kit they like, they are fussy about the brands they wear, and another mug with a ball on it is unlikely to make the shelf. This guide takes a different approach: gifts that celebrate the person and their sporting life rather than adding to their kit bag. You will find ideas for golf, cycling, running, football, rugby, cricket, netball, hockey, tennis, darts and martial arts, plus versions for women, milestone birthdays and every main gifting occasion. If golf is the sport in question, our full guide to gifts for golfers goes into more detail, and you can browse every design in our sports and fitness prints collection.
In this guide
- What makes a good personalised sports gift?
- Gift ideas by sport: golf, cycling, running, football, rugby, cricket, netball, hockey, tennis, darts and martial arts
- Personalised sports gifts for women
- Milestone birthday sports gifts
- Sports gifts for Christmas, retirement, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day and coaches
- Sports gift comparison table
- What words to put on a sports print
- How it works
- FAQs
- More sports gift guides
What makes a good personalised sports gift?
The best sports gifts tend to share three things. First, they are about the person, not the equipment. Most players have strong opinions about their boots, their racket or their clubs, so buying kit for them is a gamble. Second, they record something that matters: the club they have played for since they were a junior, the race they trained six months for, the season their team won the league. Third, they last. Kit wears out and gets replaced; something on the wall stays.
A word art print ticks all three. Each design is a silhouette of the sport, such as a golfer mid-swing, a runner in stride or a rugby player with the ball, and the shape is built entirely from words you choose. You decide what goes in, from their name and nickname to the scores, places and in-jokes only their teammates would understand. Because every print is made to order with your words, no two are the same.
They also suit almost any budget and deadline. A digital download arrives instantly for you to print at home, while unframed and framed prints are made for you and posted, so you can choose between a quick, low-cost present and a finished piece ready to hang.
What do you buy a golfer who has everything?
Golfers are famously hard to buy for, because they have usually chosen every club, ball and glove themselves. The Personalised Golf Word Art Print sidesteps the problem by celebrating their golf rather than adding to it.
Who it suits: club golfers, weekend hackers, society regulars and anyone who has just caught the golf bug.
Words to put on it: their name, home club, handicap, best round, any hole-in-one, favourite courses, golf trips and the people they play with.
For a woman who plays, the Word Art Print of a Female Golfer uses a female silhouette, and the Personalised Golf Bag Word Art Print is a good alternative if you want a design that works for anyone. There are milestone golf prints too, including the Golf 50th Birthday Word Art Print and the Golf 70th Birthday Word Art Print. Shopping for the office swap? Our guide to Secret Santa gifts for golfers under £20 has budget ideas.
What is a good gift for a keen cyclist?
Cyclists are particular about their bikes and clothing, so a personalised print that records their riding life is a safer bet than another accessory. The Personalised Cyclist Word Art Print shows a rider in motion, filled with the words you choose.
Who it suits: road cyclists, club riders, sportive regulars and commuters.
Words to put on it: their name, club, bike nickname, favourite climbs, the café stop, sportives completed and the friends who ride with them.
For milestone birthdays there is the Cycling 50th Birthday Word Art Print, and for a woman who rides the Female Cyclist 60th Word Art Print. Our full guide to gifts for cyclists covers road, mountain bike and BMX designs, with example word lists for each.
What can I get a runner that they won’t already own?
Runners collect medals, race T-shirts and trainers. What they rarely have is one place that brings all those races together. The Personalised Male Runner Word Art Print and Personalised Female Runner Word Art Print do exactly that.
Who it suits: parkrun regulars, club runners, first-time marathoners and anyone who has just finished a big race.
Words to put on it: their name, running club, races completed, personal bests, favourite routes, the distance that changed everything for them and the friends who got them through the long runs.
A runner print makes a particularly good present after a big race, because you can include the race name, the date and their finishing time.
What are good football gifts that aren’t another shirt?
Football fans already have the shirt, the scarf and the mug. A print about their own football life, whether they play every Sunday or spent years on the touchline, is far harder to duplicate. The Personalised Football Word Art Print is the all-rounder, and the Personalised Football Boot Word Art Print is a good option for players.
Who it suits: Sunday league players, five-a-side regulars, junior players, coaches and lifelong fans.
Words to put on it: their name, shirt number, position, teams they have played for, goals they still talk about, nicknames and the grounds they have visited.
For women and girls who play, the Personalised Woman Footballer Word Art Print uses a female player silhouette. For a young player, see our guide to football gifts for boys.
What do you buy a rugby player?
Rugby is a team sport built on friendships, which makes it ideal for a print full of names and memories. The Personalised Rugby Word Art Print works for players at any level, and the Personalised Rugby Female Word Art Print is designed for women who play.
Who it suits: club players, veterans still turning out, junior players and coaches.
Words to put on it: their name, club, position, shirt number, tours, cup runs, teammates’ nicknames and the songs that get sung after the match.
Buying for the person who runs the team rather than plays in it? Our guide to gifts for rugby coaches has ideas for end-of-season thank-yous.
What is a good gift for a cricket lover?
Cricket comes with a long list of words that mean everything to the people who play it: grounds, scorecards, tea intervals and the season they finally made a fifty. The Personalised Cricket Word Art Print gives you room for all of it.
Who it suits: village and club cricketers, umpires, scorers, coaches and armchair fans who never miss a Test.
Words to put on it: their name, club, batting or bowling style, best score, best bowling figures, grounds they love and the teammates they have shared a dressing room with.
For a big birthday, the Personalised Cricket 70th Word Art Print builds the milestone into the design.
What are the best personalised netball gifts?
Netball players are often part of a close team for years, which gives you plenty to put on a print. The Personalised Netball Word Art Print and the Personalised Netball Player Word Art Print are the main designs.
Who it suits: club and league players, school and university players, coaches and umpires.
Words to put on it: her name, position (GS, GA, WA, C, WD, GD, GK), club, league, the teammates she plays alongside and the matches she remembers.
There are milestone versions such as the Netball 21st Word Art Print and the Netball 40th Word Art Print. See our guide to netball gifts for more ideas for players, coaches and teammates.
What can you buy a hockey or ice hockey player?
The Personalised Ice Hockey Word Art Print suits players and fans, and the Hockey Word Art Print is another option for hockey players.
Who it suits: league and recreational players, junior players, goalies and dedicated fans.
Words to put on it: their name, shirt number, position, teams, rinks or pitches they play at, tournaments and the teammates they spend their weekends with.
For seasonal ideas, see our guide to ice hockey Christmas gifts.
What are good gifts for tennis players?
Tennis players can choose between several designs. The Personalised Tennis Word Art Print is the classic, with separate male tennis player and female tennis player designs. For the ping-pong enthusiast there is a Table Tennis Word Art Print.
Who it suits: club players, doubles partners, juniors and coaches.
Words to put on it: their name, club, doubles partner, tournaments, favourite shot, the courts they play on and the summer tournaments they never miss on TV.
What do you buy a darts player or martial artist?
The Personalised Darts Word Art Print is a great fit for pub league players and anyone with a board in the garage. Fill it with their name, team, highest checkout, favourite doubles and the venues they play at. Our guide to personalised darts gifts has more ideas.
For martial arts, the Personalised Karate Word Art Print is a lovely way to mark a new belt or grading. Include their name, dojo, belts earned, grading dates, their sensei and the kata they know best.
What are good personalised sports gifts for women?
Many of the sports designs come in a female version, so you do not have to settle for a generic silhouette. Options include:
- Female Golfer Word Art Print for women who play golf
- Female Runner Word Art Print for parkrunners and marathoners
- Woman Footballer Word Art Print for players of every age
- Female Rugby Word Art Print for women’s rugby players
- Female Tennis Player Word Art Print for club and social players
- Netball Player Word Art Print for netballers at any level
The approach is the same as for any print: fill it with her name, her club, her achievements and the words her teammates would use to describe her.
What sports gift should I buy for a milestone birthday?
Milestone birthdays are where a personalised print really shines, because there is a whole lifetime of sport to draw on. Several sports have dedicated birthday designs with the age built in:
- 18th and 21st: the Footballer 21st Birthday Word Art Print and the Netball 21st Word Art Print suit young players heading off to university or into adult teams.
- 40th and 50th: the Netball 40th, Golf 50th and Cycling 50th prints have room for decades of clubs, teams and trips.
- 60th, 70th and beyond: the Female Cyclist 60th, Golf 70th and Cricket 70th prints are a fitting way to celebrate someone who is still playing, or who loves to remember the days when they did.
If their sport does not have a milestone version, you can still use the standard design and include the age, the date and a list of highlights from each decade.
Sports gifts for Christmas, retirement, Father’s Day and coaches
Christmas: a sports print makes a thoughtful main present, and it is also small and affordable enough for a stocking or a Secret Santa. If you have left it late, a digital download arrives instantly.
Birthdays: pair the print with their sport and add the year’s highlights, such as a new personal best, a promotion or a first trophy.
Retirement: retirement often means more time for golf, cycling or the village cricket team. Fill a print with every club they have belonged to, the friends they have played with over the years and the plans they have for the time ahead.
Father’s Day and Mother’s Day: include the sport you share with them, the matches they drove you to, the advice they shouted from the touchline and the team you support together.
Coaches and end of season: a print filled with every player’s name, the season’s results and the coach’s favourite sayings makes a meaningful team thank-you. Everyone can contribute a word or two. Our list of personalised gifts for coaches has more ideas.
Sports gift comparison table
| Product | Best for | Example words to include | From price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personalised Golf Word Art Print | Club and weekend golfers | Name, home club, handicap, hole-in-one, golf trips | £9.99 |
| Personalised Cyclist Word Art Print | Road and club cyclists | Name, club, favourite climb, sportives, café stop | £9.99 |
| Personalised Male Runner Word Art Print | Parkrunners and marathoners | Name, races, PBs, running club, “one more mile” | £9.99 |
| Personalised Female Runner Word Art Print | Women who run | Name, first 10k, marathon, running friends | £9.99 |
| Personalised Football Word Art Print | Players and lifelong fans | Name, shirt number, position, teams played for | £9.99 |
| Personalised Rugby Word Art Print | Club players and coaches | Name, club, position, tours, teammates’ nicknames | £9.99 |
| Personalised Cricket Word Art Print | Village and club cricketers | Name, club, best score, best figures, grounds | £9.99 |
| Personalised Netball Word Art Print | Netball players and coaches | Name, position, club, league, teammates | £9.99 |
Prices start at £9.99 for a digital download or unframed print, with framed A4 prints from £22.99 and framed A3 prints from £30.99.
What words to put on a sports print
The words are what turn a sports print into their sports print. Aim for around 20 to 40 words or short phrases. Mix a few big, important words, such as their name and club, with small details only they would recognise. Here are three example lists you can adapt.
Example 1: the Sunday league footballer
- Their name and nickname, such as “Sam” and “Wheels”
- Shirt number and position
- Every team they have played for, from juniors to vets
- Their best goal, described in a few words: “volley from 25 yards”
- Cup finals and promotions
- Kick-off time and the pitch they play on
- Dressing-room phrases: “man on”, “keep it simple”, “same again next week”
- Teammates’ names
Example 2: her first marathon
- Her name, the race name and the date
- Her finishing time
- Her running club and parkrun
- Training landmarks: “first 10k”, “first half”, “20-mile long run”
- The people who cheered her on
- Words that describe her: “determined”, “unstoppable”, “never misses a session”
- Favourite running routes
Example 3: a golfer’s 70th birthday
- His name, “Seventy” and the date
- Home club and the clubs he has belonged to over the years
- His lowest handicap and best round
- Courses played on golf trips
- The regular four-ball and their nicknames
- The hole he always talks about
- Grandchildren he is teaching to play
Tip: ask a teammate, club mate or training partner for two or three in-jokes. Those are often the words the recipient spots first and laughs at hardest.
How it works
- Choose a print. Pick the design that matches their sport, and a female or milestone version if there is one.
- Design it with your own words. Add the names, places, scores and phrases that mean something to them.
- Preview it free. See exactly how the print looks before you pay, and change anything you like.
- Choose your format. Get an instant digital download to print yourself, or order an unframed or framed print. Framed prints ship within 3 to 5 working days in the UK, or 7 to 15 days internationally.
Personalised sports gift FAQs
What is a good personalised gift for someone who loves sport?
A gift about the person rather than their kit usually goes down best, because keen players are particular about the equipment they use. A personalised sports word art print, filled with their name, club, position and proudest moments, is something nobody else will own. Digital downloads start at £9.99 and framed A3 prints at £30.99.
Which sports do Word Art Prints cover?
There are designs for more than 50 sports, including golf, cycling, running, football, rugby, cricket, netball, hockey, ice hockey, tennis, table tennis, darts and karate. Many sports also have female versions and milestone birthday versions. You can browse them all in the sports and fitness collection.
Are there personalised sports gifts for women?
Yes. There are female designs for golf, running, football, rugby, tennis and cycling, as well as netball prints. You fill the silhouette with her name, her club and the words that describe her as a player.
How quickly can I get a sports print before Christmas?
Digital downloads are instant, so you can print one at home the same day. Unframed and framed prints are made to order and ship within 3 to 5 working days in the UK, or 7 to 15 days internationally, so order with a few days to spare in December.
Can I see the print before I buy it?
Yes. You design the print with your own words and see a free preview before you pay. You can change the wording, move words around or try a different design until you are happy with it.
What is a good end-of-season gift for a sports coach?
A print in the shape of the team’s sport, filled with every player’s name, the season’s results and the coach’s favourite sayings, makes a thoughtful team thank-you. Each player can suggest a word or two, and a framed A3 print from £30.99 is easy for a group to split.
More sports gift guides
Looking for something more specific? These guides go deeper into individual sports:
The best personalised sports gift
The best sports gifts are the ones they would never think to buy for themselves. A personalised word art print turns their clubs, teams, races and proudest moments into something for the wall, and you choose every word. Start with the design for their sport above, read our gifts for golfers or gifts for cyclists guides for more detail, or browse all sports and fitness prints covering more than 50 sports.
About Word Art Prints
Word Art Prints is a UK shop that has been making personalised word art prints since 2017. There are more than 470 designs to choose from, and every print is made to order with the customer’s own words.