Young Writer

The Rotary Young Writer Competition allows entrants' imaginations to run wild!

This competition offers participants the opportunity to express themselves and get creative with the written word.

After being given a theme, participants can choose to write fiction or non-fiction, a story or a poem.

Age categories:

Competition Information:

The Rotary Young Writer competition is run over three stages; club level, district and the national final.

2025-26 Theme - Happiness in Nature

Club entries should be e-mailed to Howard Ferdinando  (Rotarians - you should find me on DMS, or please make contact via the link below). Please advise me which club you represent. Entries to District level and beyond must comply with the current year Rules & Guidlines document published on the Rotary GB&I website (sub page Youth Service). (Log in is not required to access the document, but it is necessary to obtain the entry form). Every club may submit one entry in each age category per school (see note below) - this would normally be the winners of the club competition. Entries must include a fully completed and signed entry form, sent in a separate attachment. Each entry should also be in separate attachments.

The 2019/20 variation to the "one per club per age category" was that for 2019/20 (and beyond, until further notice) ciubs may (if they wish) enter one per school - this is by popular request and aimed at accommodating clubs who sponsor more than one RotaKids club (or engage with more than one school for this competition). This "one per school" relaxation equally applies at Intermediate and Senior levels.

The deadline for entries for the District round 2025/26 is Saturday 28th February 2026 - so get planning now! 

Late entries will not be accepted – the independent, non-Rotarian judges need adequate time to carefully assess the entries. 

Rotarians: Please consider an early approach to schools for 2025/26. Engagement before the end of the Summer term is suggested! Please also encourage entrants to use the correct theme (see RGBI rules and guidance for the current year). In 2023 not one of the entrants headed their work with the correct title, which immediately puts them at a likely disadvantage!

Those interested in finding out more please contact your local Rotary club in the first instance. The various competition rules etc are published on the Rotary GB&I website - Youth Service pages.

Resources for Rotarians

**Please note: If you do not print off the form and you would like to use the interactive version, please save a copy to your computer before you start inputting. If you do not save the form to your computer, you will lose all inputted information

Resources for the Public

The Rotary Youth Competition Guidelines document contains everything a Rotary club needs to know about offering these competitions to young people in their community. The rules change (generally only minimally) from year to year. The theme changes each year. Please ensure you look at current year guidance notes! For ease of reference, the 25/26 theme is "Happiness in Nature". The same theme applies to both Young Photographer and Young Artist.

The 2025 competition was supported at all levels: The Junior winner was Darian Richards (supported by RC Wrexham), The Intermediate winner was Molly Williams (RC West Wirral) and Senior was Laura Ziomek (RC West Wirral). These three were the D1180 entries at RGBI. Darian Richards, a year 6 pupil at Ysgol Froncyysyllte and sponsored by Wrexham Rotary came first - congratulations to Darian, the club and to the school.

The 2024 competition was supported at Intermediate and Senior level. There were no entries at Junior level. Intermediate winner - Emily Weatherhead. Senior winner - Sophie Dolphin. Both sponsored by West Wirral Rotary. These entries were submitted to RGBI as the District entries. Neither entry won through (there was tough competition with 19 Districts entering). 

The 2023 competition was only supported at Junior level. The winner was Yusuf Buldu from Froncysyllte County Primary. The sposoring club was Wrexham. His entry was submitted to RGBI as the District entry. It was well received, but not placed.

Intermediate: Mia Kellett, entered by West Wirral club

Seniors: Thea Matheison, also entered by West Wirral club

There were fewer entries in 2021 (and none in the Junior group) - presumably as coronavirus had made it difficult for clubs to engage with schools.

The 2021 winning entries were sent to RGBI as the District entries - and the good news is that Thea's entry was placed first. Congratulations to Thea, and thanks to the West Wirral club for selecting her piece for entry. Winning entries are published on the RGBI website.