HNC SECURES FOURTH CONSECUTIVE WIN IN ANNUAL ROTARY CLUB TECHNOLOGY TOURNAMENT
23.03.2026HNC is delighted to reveal that the College has once again secured the Gold Award in the advanced category at the annual Rotary Club Technology Tournament, securing the top spot for the fourth consecutive year!
The Rotary Club Technology Tournament is a well-established STEM competition designed to give students hands-on experience with real-world engineering challenges while developing teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving skills. For the second-year running, the Huddersfield Tournament was hosted by HNC, with over 100 students from eight Kirklees schools taking part.
This year, the competitors were tasked with designing and building a bridge capable of supporting heavy loads. Adding to the complexity, each bridge had to incorporate a fully functional mechanical system that allowed it to open and close. Teams were also restricted to a limited range of materials, primarily paper, card, straws, and string, working against the clock to create a construction that met the brief. The groups taking part competed in three different age categories, with each category being judged by members of the Rotary Club and representatives from ACCU, a supplier of high-precision engineering components based in Honley, Holmfirth.
This year, HNC fielded four teams in the advanced category, with two of the College’s teams taking the Gold and Bronze Awards; congratulations to Arlo H, Harry H, Aidan P and Daisy G for securing the top spot, and James D, Andrei C, Raymond T and David I for securing bronze. Colne Valley High School secured the top spot in the foundation category, with Honley High School securing first in the intermediate category. The winners were presented with a trophy by the Mayor of Kirklees, Councillor Elizabeth (Liz) Smaje.
A spokesperson for the Rotary Clubs commented “we are always impressed by the standard of determination and talent demonstrated by our local students to complete the task each year. And we’re equally grateful to the schools, colleges and everyone involved for their time and commitment to ensure it’s a great day for everyone”. Sara Graul, Faculty Lead Enlighten and Teacher of A Level 3D Design shares more “What a fantastic day hosting the Rotary Club’s annual Technology Tournament! It was wonderful to welcome so many talented young people and the engineers of tomorrow to HNC, and like the judges, I was incredibly impressed by the standard of work. I am delighted that Team HNC has once again secured the Gold Award – winning this prestigious competition four times in a row is genuinely something to be proud of and a true embodiment of the College’s values of passion and innovation. The competition required students to strike a careful balance between structural strength and mechanical precision, and Team HNC really did rise to the challenge! As always, we look forward to taking part in next year’s competition”.
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