Oxford Children's Hospital Charity Challenge Report
27th July 2005by Adrian Robinson, WHLTC Trainee Manager and Charity Challenge Helper
The listing was posted by The White Horse Leisure & Tennis Centre
Saturday 9th July welcomed the 1st Charity Challenge to White Horse Leisure & Tennis Centre, with the purpose of the event being to raise money for the Oxford Children’s Hospital.
Six teams of 3 battled through 11 challenging events using skill, stamina, power and finesse. With talent, commitment and comedy being displayed the Challenge became a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon for all involved. In each event, 6 points were awarded for 1st place, 5 points for 2nd through to 1 point for 6th place.
The Challenge began at 2pm, with basketball the first event. One member of each team powered from end to end scoring a basket at each. When 4 baskets were successfully scored it was a race to the centre for the watch to be stopped. Maximum points were awarded to the team with the quickest time.
After this came a game of accuracy. Played on the outdoor tennis courts, in the delightful sunshine, 5 serves had to be hit in to certain sections on the opposing side of the court. The greater the accuracy, the more points that were awarded.
With the intense heat of the sunshine, it was a relief to move inside for football. Two competitors from each team took there turn to dribble 3 balls through a coned course, then fire the ball past a goalie; it was against the clock so speed was essential.
The next event was hockey; using the same-coned course as football but replacing the goalie were coned point areas in the goal. Once again this challenge was against the clock, but whoever was brave enough to aim for the corners prevailed as the winner.
A short break followed to allow competitors to stock up on fuels, some had water, some beer, while the staff set up the bowls arena. Bowls is a game of skill, accuracy and subtleness; with the format of 3 mini tournaments allowing each competitor to take part. A few budding professionals leaped to the forefront with some perfection bowling.
The ultimate stamina event, the bleep test, followed the relative ease of bowling. This proved an exciting event for those not taking part as they cheered loudly and yelled encouragement. For the competitors it proved to be an energy sapping, gruelling event, but there were smiles rather than tears when the final bleep was heard.
While the bleep test survivors enjoyed their well earned rest, the other team members marched to the main studio for an indoor rowing sprint. A simple challenge: to row 500m in the quickest possible time.
Badminton followed the row; where points were rewarded for accuracy, but with this event each competitor returned a serve back over the net in to different point zones.
As the challenge drew to its final stages, an individual event requiring balance, coordination and finesse stood in front of one competitor from each team.
It was time for trampolining! Each competitor had to perform a 10-move routine with judges looking on, awarding maximum points for the most complete and accurate.
The penultimate event moved the teams to the swimming pool for the canoe slalom. Three timed head to head races not only produced enormous entertainment and slight dizziness, but also some pretty sharp canoeing.
The final event of the day and a perfect way to end the Charity Challenge was the 6-way 50m freestyle swim. One competitor from each team lined up to face the opposing team members and use a final burst of energy. With great force the race sped off and with one blink it was all over, or maybe a small shut eye.
After drying off and cooling down, all the competitors and organising staff gathered in the foyer for the final presentation. The winners of the challenge were ‘the fit, the fat and the punie’ consisting of Chris Franks, Matt Symonds and Tim Willet.
The real winners of the day however, were the Oxford Children’s Hospital and everyone who took part! Many thanks to all the competitors – we hope to see you again next year.
Link to Picture Gallery