Should Kids Get Participation Awards?

Yesterday evening my 4 year old finished up his last game with PARA Youth Soccer.    Crazy enough, yesterday evening, I stumbled across an article about a Texas youth football association that has chosen to stop "Participation Awards". The article states they are doing so because "Awards should be earned". I agree to a point.

I think all the kids in the PARA soccer youth program should get something to show they practiced and played and actually finished what they started. They had a great time and learned about team work. I can't speak for the other parents but I always made sure Brody knew if his team, The Lions, won or lost the games they played. We'd talk about it on the way home. I would encourage him to play better, listen to his coaches and help his team.

In my opinion, the "awards" they received last night helps the 4 year olds realize that if you stick to something and actually finish, it matters. I think age is the factor. These little guys and girls are 4. I think the awards ceremony should change as the kids get older.

What do you think of Participation Awards? Should they stop all together or at a certain age?