INTRODUCTION

The Rotary Youth Speaks Competition is a well-established and successful competition organised and promoted by Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland. It is a four stage competition which is designed to support and encourage the development of effective communication skills. Some stages may have more than one round.

AIMS

This competition aims to offer young people:

• Experience in speaking on a public platform as a member of a team 
• An incentive to formulate ideas on topical subjects 
• Discipline in dealing with a topic in a limited time 
• The opportunity of learning and practising high standards of expression, presentation and appearance 
• Impartial feedback and assessment of performance by experienced adjudicators  

WHO CAN TAKE PART?

This competition is open to teams of three students in full time education in two age groups:

• Intermediate 11 to 13 years 
• Senior 14 to 17 years  

With the age qualifying date of 31 August 2015, it should be noted that some junior entrants may be 11, intermediate entrants 14 and senior entrants 18 at the time of some or all stages of the competitions (e.g. a competitor who is 17 on 31 August but turns 18 on 1 September is allowed to enter).
Students should enter the competition organised by the local Rotary club through their school, college or other organisation.
Competitors, schools, colleges and other organisations can participate in a district that is outside of their boundary, but can only compete in one club or district.

THE FOUR STAGES OF THE COMPETITION

Local Heats

Organised by local Rotary clubs between September and December. Age group winners of local heats are entered into a district competition. Local Rotary Clubs can be found by using the club finder facility in the bottom left hand corner of the Rotary International in Britain and Ireland (Rotary GB&I) home webpage – www.rotarygbi.org . In Ewell Club’s case we organise a competition with the Rotary clubs of Epsom and Banstead. This heat is due to take place at Epsom College in January. 

District Competitions

These are organised by Rotary between January and mid-February. For high numbers of entrants, it may be necessary to hold preliminary rounds prior to a district final. Age group winners of district competitions are entered into a regional final. Ewell club will be organising a preliminary round in February. More details to Follow 

Regional Finals

These are organised by Rotary between mid-February and March. Age group winners of regional finals are entered into the national final.

National Final

This is organised by Rotary District 1190. This will be held on Saturday 7 May 2016 at Kirkham Grammar School, Ribby Road, Kirkham, Preston, PR4 2BH.