RWB Rotary Clubs Youth Challenge 2023

Sunday the 4th of March 2023 saw the 7th Royal Wootton Bassett Rotary Clubs Youth Challenge; hosted and funded by the town’s two Rotary clubs. The event being held at the RWB Memorial Hall for the first time.

Teams of 6 youngsters, from local Youth Organisations, competed for the Challenge Shield and prize money to support their organisations. This year 7 Youth Organisations participated with a total of 9 teams aged between 11 - 14yrs taking part. The organisations were: Broad Hinton Youth Club; Lyneham Air Cadets (2 Teams); Lyneham Air Scouts; Purton and Cricklade Young Farmers; RWB Sea Cadets; RWB School of Dance (2 Teams); 18th Swindon Scouts Troop (Old Town).

The lively morning session consisted of six short mental and physical challenges. These challenges were designed to test planning ability, communication, general knowledge, the ability to problem solve and to put teamwork into practice. This year’s challenges included a health quiz, steady hand activity, complete the jigsaws and answer the riddles, charades, build a tower of cups and the fast action gutterball activity. 

Several teams were in contention at the end of the morning session. The afternoon session rounded off the day with a grand decider further testing all these key skills through the team’s ability to plan and construct a 10 second marble run from the materials provided. The challenge proved very popular and the enthusiasm and inventiveness of the teams in reaching their final design for the marble run was very impressive.  

All in attendance witnessed a great sense of competition throughout the day and three times previous winners the RWB School of Dance achieved 1st place and £500 prize money. Lyneham Air Cadets took 2nd place with a prize of £250.  The 18th Swindon Scout Troop took the third prize of £125. 

All remaining teams were awarded participation prizes of £50 towards their club funds. The prizes were awarded by President Linda Locke, RWB & District Rotary Club and President Gabriel Sexton, RWB Town Rotary Club.

Both Rotary Clubs would like to thank the teams that participated for all their enthusiasm and for showing great sportsmanship throughout the day. We also acknowledge their Youth Leaders who voluntarily support these groups to enable them to participate in such events.

Our appreciation also goes to Phil Smith, School Sports Co-ordinator at the RWB Academy, and the 8 Young Leaders from his RWB Academy based Power of 10 initiative, who helped run the challenges on the day.