'On The Spot', a talented young Tongan singing group received an award for the "Best Commonwealth Band/Artist" musical video, at Marlborough House, London on August 12, 2010, International Youth Day.

"[The video] was original, fantastic, truly motivational!" remarked Ms McMillan, a judge of the international contest. "This is a song that should be broadcast throughout the Commonwealth, in fact all over the world. It's really good to be young!"

As part of their prize the members of the On The Spot travelled from Nuku'alofa to London to receive their award. The three girls, singers 'Emeline Kite, Minaira Fifita and Nisyola Fifita, and two boys, guitarist Samiu 'Ofa and cinematographer Malani Wolfgram were accompanied on their trip to London by a chaperone, Lindsey Fifita, the mother of the two Fifita girls.

The winning song 'Good to be Young' was penned by Minaira when she was just 12-years-old, but six years later it is being played around the world on the Commonwealth's website and on the band's YouTube presentation. Minaira, now 18-years-old, and the group gave a live acoustic rendition of 'Good to be Young' in front of a Marlborough House audience last week.

Award ceremony

During the award presentation ceremony members of the group were reported in The Commonwealth website to have shared their views with their audience.

"In Tonga, it's traditionally the elders who are the ones who speak," explained Minaira Fifita, "but nowadays things are changing. We have more youth groups and the youth have more of a chance."

"It's good to make the most of life when you are young because you have so many opportunities," added 'Emeline Kite, another of the group's singers, calling on young people around the Commonwealth to stay positive and embrace new experiences. "Live your life! Seriously, be yourself. Everyone will love you for who you are if you just be yourself."

Malani Wolfgramm, the group's videographer, said that the group's trip to London to collect their awards had been "a real awesome experience", adding: "It's really amazing that the Commonwealth has opened out their hand to include the voice of the youth in their programmes."

The group came up against some tough competition from around the world but the inspiring freshness and honesty of their original performance shone through.

The Commonwealth Video Contest marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of the first International Year of Youth and it attracted to Marlborough House a 60-strong group of teenagers, twenty-year-olds and NGO youth Representatives.