Providing participants with a unique opportunity to recognise their individual qualities and attributes, candidates are afforded the invaluable experience of taking part in a live interview at each stage of the competition.

The Youth Leadership Development Competition is an All-Ireland initiative which aims to help young people prepare for their future careers. The competition recognises the leadership qualities which have been displayed by students through their extra-curricular activities.

There are three distinct stages to the Youth Leadership Development Competition:

Stage 1 – School Final: Following the submission of the completed nomination forms by a teacher in the school, two members of the Rotary Club of Wexford will conduct face-to-face interviews with each of the candidates from the school. The interviewers will then select one student to represent the school at the next stage of the competition, the Club Final.

Stage 2 – Club Final: Each of the students selected at the School Final stage, will be invited to participate in the Club Final. Similar to the previous stage, all students will participate in an interview, which will take place in the Riverbank House Hotel in early November.  Following the interviews, one student will be selected to represent the Rotary Club of Wexford at the Regional Final.

Stage 3 – Regional Final: The winner of the Club Final, will represent the Rotary Club of Wexford at the Regional Final. The winner(s) at the Regional stage of the competition will join the other regional winners from across the island of Ireland to take part in a once in a lifetime trip to Dáil Éireann, Stormont and the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

Eligibility

For students wishing to participate in the 2023/2024 competition, they must turn 16 years of age before January 20^th 2024 and must not turn 18 years of age before March 31^st 2024.

Timelines

Early-Mid September: Secondary schools contacted and issued with nomination forms

Mid-October: Deadline for the return of nomination forms

Mid-Late October: Rotarians visit participating schools to conduct interviews for the School Finals

Early November: Club Final held in the Riverbank House Hotel

Mid-Late November: Regional Final

Participation Rates

The Rotary Club of Wexford has one of the highest percentages of participating schools in the competition.

13 schools and over 50 students from the County of Wexford participated in the 2022/2023 Youth Leadership Development Competition.

Feedback Comments

“I am very honored to have been selected as the Regional Winner of the Rotary Youth Leadership Development Competition. I look forward to partaking in the upcoming trip and developing my leadership skills.”     

“It was truly a positive and uplifting experience for the students.”

“Thank you for providing this excellent opportunity for young people and we look forward to participating again in the future.”