The recent National Youth Championships in Manchester saw the adjudicator’s hand out plenty of Gold, Silver and Bronze to delighted competitors.

However, just like the British Olympic teams, do the medals translate into better standards of performance?

Debate

That is perhaps a matter of debate, but 4BR has looked back over the last 5 years to see what the medal tally was from 2006 onwards.

However, just like the British Olympic teams, do the medals translate into better standards of performance?4BR

Format

It has to be pointed out that the format of the Youth Championships changed in 2009.

Prior to this the five sections comprised Premier, Community, County, Schools and Junior. Today it is Premier, Advanced, Intermediate, Junior and Training.

The awards stay the same though.

Medal tally

2010: 39 competing bands
13 — Gold
9 — Silver
7 — Bronze

2009: 35 competing bands
9 — Gold
10 — Silver
8 — Bronze

2008: 31 competing bands
14 — Gold
10 — Silver
7 — Bronze

2007: 39 competing bands
17 — Gold
11 — Silver
11 — Bronze

2006: 28 competing bands
12 — Gold
6 — Silver
11 — Bronze