Youth Speaks Public Speaking Competition 2027

2027 Youth Speaks Competition

The experience of public speaking is hugely valuable in building confidence and ambition. Youth Speaks gives young people the opportunity to speak about something which matters to them.  Whatever they choose it’s their say. The team of three consist of the Chair, the Speaker and the Proposer of the Vote of Thanks. Each has a distinct and challenging role. The Speaker has 6 minutes to address the audience, the others 2 minutes each.

Each year we look to provide the benefits of Youth Speaks to more young people and every year is a record year as the numbers grow. 

The District Heats are the first round. Winners go forward to the District Finals. Winners of the District Finals go forward to the Grand Final. Winners and runners-up of the Grand Final go forward to the North of England Final.

Competition information is in the Youth Speaks Information Pack 2027 (click to download). Details of how to take part are in the Youth Speaks Entry Pack 2027 (click to download).

For help and more information contact the Youth Speaks District Coordinator using the form at the foot of this webpage. 

District Heats 2027 (Download the Entry Pack for venue details. The results of the 2027 competition will be entered below as they happen. Winners in red.) 

Worsley District Heat (25th January 2027, 5.30 p.m.) 

Bolton District Heat (26th January 2027, 5.30 p.m.)

Leigh District Heat, (24th February 2027, 5.00 p.m.)  

Sandbach District Heat, (24th February 2027, 5.00 p.m.) 

Macclesfield District Heat, (25th February 2027, 5.30 p.m.) 

Biddulph District Heat (8th February 2027, 6.00 p.m.)   

Wilmslow District Heat, (21st January 2027, 6.30 p.m.)

Warrington District Heat (9th February 2027, 5.30 p.m.)

Knutsford District Heat (10th February 2027, 5.30 p.m.)

Northwich District Heat TBC (11th February 2027, 5.30 p.m.)

St Helens District Heat (25th February 2027, 5.30 p.m.)

Golborne District Heat (29th January 2027, 5.00 p.m.)

Rochdale District Heat (2nd January 2027, 5.30 p.m.)

Radcliffe District Heat (28th February 2027, 5.30 p.m.)

Tameside District Heat (21st January 2027, 5.30 p.m.)   

Ramsbottom District Heat (1st February 2027, 5.30 p.m.) 

District Finals 2027

District Final NE "The Henshaw Shield" (Intermediate)  "The Farraday Shield" (Senior) Sunday, 7th February, hosted by Rochdale Rotary at Rochdale Town Hall

District Final NW "The Peter James-Robinson Shield" (Intermediate)  "The Swati Mukherjee Shield" (Senior)  Monday, 1st March, hosted by Newton-le-Willows Rotary at Hope Academy. 

District Final W  "The Val Gannon Shield" (Intermediate) "The Roy Smith Shield" (Senior) Saturday 27th February, hosted by Warrington Rotary at Stockton Heath Methodist Church. 

District Final SE  "The Warren Heyes Shield" (Intermediate) "The Wendy Sutcliffe Shield" (Senior) Sunday 28th February, hosted by Macclesfield Castle Rotary at The Macclesfield Academy.

Grand Final 2027

The Forest Hills Trophy (Intermediate) and The Forest Hills Trophy (Senior) 

The Grand Final is on Sunday, 21st March 2027, at the Forest Hills Hotel, Overton Hill, Frodsham, WA6 6HH (Hosted by Frodsham & Helsby Rotary)

North of England Final 2027

The North of England Final (Senior and Intermediate Individual Trophies)  will be organised by Rotary District 1190. It is the final event of the 2026-7 Youth Speaks competition.