Rock Eisteddfod Challenge

The Rock Eisteddfod Challenge is a series of dance and drama events staged worldwide by school pupils as part of the Global Rock Challenge. These events are initiated by the Rock Eisteddfod Challenge Foundation, and aim to promote healthy lifestyle choices, particularly abstinence from drugs, alcohol and cigarettes. An event was started for primary students - J Rock - in 2004 to raise awareness about obesity by promoting dance as a fun way to exercise. Rock Eisteddfod shows are stories on stage in 8 minutes. Participants can have between 10 and 120 students on stage, as well as up to 20 back stage crew. The entire show is set to a pre-recorded soundtrack of contemporary music, and the aim is to use dancing and drama to tell the story. There are also sets and costumes to be thought of and the performances often combine elements from the whole arts curriculum. Schools choose their own theme and story and work collaboratively with teachers and parents to bring their ideas to life.

It was announced on Tuesday 9 February 2010, that due to lack of funding, the event would not take place in 2010.

The concept began in Sydney, Australia in 1980 known as The Rock ‘n’ Roll Eisteddfod, a NSW Arts Council sponsored-event, including some Sydney high schools at the historic Hordern Pavilion. The idea has been developed by Sydney radio station 2SM. With support from Coca-Cola, the NSW Arts Council promoted the event as an example of local youth culture in action.

In 1988 the New South Wales Health Department was the first to see the Rock Eisteddfod as an opportunity to deliver the “Quit For Life” anti-smoking message to secondary school students in New South Wales. At the same time, Kerrie Hayes and Peter Sjoquist AM (Hayes & Sjoquist Productions) took over and revitalised the event which is now know nationally as Rock Eisteddfod Challenge.Tim Levy was an organizer of the Junior youth competition and hosted it in five cities across Australia.

In 1993 the event was introduced into New Zealand, where it is branded the Smokefree Stage Challenge, starting with 20 schools and 2000 participants, and has grown to include 171 schools and 16,381 participants.

In 1995 Inspector Mark Pontin of the Hampshire Constabulary visited Australia on a Churchill Scholarship. He saw the Australian Rock Eisteddfod Challenge first hand and was so impressed that he persuaded the Chief Constable to introduce it to their area of the UK. In 1996 the inaugural event of the Rock Challenge was staged in Portsmouth with 11 schools and 800 students. This has now turned into a national series of competitions, usually starting in Aberdeen in February and running through many parts of the UK (including London, at the Hackney Empire) until the northern and southern Grand Finals around the end of May / beginning of June.

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