RWB Youth Challenge 2019

Sunday the 29th of September 2019 saw the 6th Annual Royal Wootton Bassett Rotary Youth Challenge; once again hosted and funded by both the town’s Rotary clubs and held at the RWB Academy through the generous permission of G4S. 

Teams of 6 youngsters, from local youth groups, competed head to head for the 2019 winning title and prize money to support their organisations. This year we saw 8 youth groups field 10 teams aged between 11 - 14yrs. The groups were: RWB School of Dance (2 Teams); RWB Netball Club (2 Teams); 2nd RWB Guides; Lyneham Air Cadets; the RWB Local Youth Network; Purton and Cricklade Young Farmers; WBLETS and RWB Sea Cadets. 

The morning session consisted of six short mental and physical challenges prior to a provided lunch. These challenges were designed to test planning ability, communication, general knowledge, an ability to problem solve and to put team work into practice. This year’s challenges included a hockey slalom, geography-county quiz, a brain teaser, a shape-based exercise: a playing card based fun activity and charades.  Several teams were very close on the scoreboard at the end of the morning session. The afternoon was rounded off with a grand decider further testing all these key skills through the team’s ability to plan and construct a wind powered buggy and a means of generating the wind to power the buggy using the materials provided. The challenge proved very popular and the inventiveness of the teams in reaching their final designs and method of wind generation was very impressive. 

All in attendance witnessed a great sense of competition and twice previous winners RWB School of Dance, achieved 1st place and £500 prize money. Last year’s winners, the junior section of the Royal Wootton Light Operatic Society (WBLETS) took 2nd place with a prize of £250.  A team from the RWB School of Dance also won the third prize of £125. 

All remaining teams were awarded participation prizes of £50 towards their club funds. As well as parents and siblings also in attendance to show their support for this event were Rotarian Chris Firth, Rotary District 1100’s District Governor Elect, and the Mayor of RWB, Cllr Steve Watts. 

Both Rotary Clubs would like to thank the teams who participated for all for their enthusiasm and for showing great gamesmanship.  We also acknowledge their Youth Leaders who consistently voluntarily support these groups to enable their young people to participate in such events. 

We look forward to welcoming all back next year along with entrants from further local youth groups.  If you wish to learn more about this event or to register in advance for the 2019 event for one of the limited places, please contact our Club Secretary on: Secretary@rwbRotary.club

Further photos of the day can be found at the following link:
RWB Town Club website page report