Reading a ‘sport’ at Wellesley and they are world champs

If you need the answer to an obscure question on children’s literature, there is a good chance a student at Wellington’s Wellesley College can help you.

Wellesley is the world champion in the Kids’ Lit Quiz after fending off teams from all over the world to claim the title earlier this month.

To say that the Days Bay boys’ school is serious about reading would be an understatement.

Librarian Jane Kent said reading was regarded as a ‘‘sport’’ and there was plenty of competition to make the four-boy team.

Sixty boys tried out for the two teams entered in the competition.

After winning the regional and national competition, Wellesley travelled to Auckland to win a gripping international final by one point. Team spokesperson William Chandler said that going into the last round, which was poetry, Wellesley had a five-point lead over Hamilton College from Britain.

Knowing that poetry was not their strong point, they decided to play tactically.

Hong Kong answered a couple of questions and when Singapore got the last one right, Wellesley had won by one point without answering a question in the round.

William, whose favourite book is Genesis by Bernard Beckett, said the boys were delighted with the win.

The school had always taken the competition seriously but to be the first team to win it was special, he said.

So why does he like books?

‘‘You can be wherever you want to be when you read a book. They transport you to other places and other worlds. You can never get bored with books.’’

The quiz, for 10 to 13 year-olds, was first held in 1996 and although Wellesley has always performed well, this was their first win.

Wellesley won the regional round and then came first in the nationals with their B team finishing third.

The quiz was created by Auckland University educator Wayne Mills, who wears a purple and black hat while acting as the quizmaster. He also sets the questions, which are on children’s literature.

Schools from Britain, America, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia and South Africa take part.

PHOTO: FAIRFAX NZ Harry Hampton, Archie Chandler, Tom Adams and William Chandler, are world champions in children’s literature. Archie and William are twins.