The Premier's Debating Challenge for Years 9 and 10
A state-wide competition with zone winners progressing to regional and state-wide knockouts to determine the state champion.
Latest news
Entries in the Premier's Debating Challenge for Years 9 and 10 have closed for 2023. Please call the Speaking Competitions Officer on (02) 8512 1172 or email debating@det.nsw.edu.au if you've missed out and need to request a late entry.
For the schools who have entered, we've started work on the draws and planning for the 2023. We'll keep you updated, and you should have the draw and all the information you need for the year by the end of Term 1, with the first round of debating due to be completed by the end of Week 5 Term 2.
About the competition
This competition began in 1950 with the donation of a trophy by Charles and Fred Teasdale for an annual debating competition at intermediate level between high schools on the north shore. Over the years it has expanded into a state-wide competition for all government schools.
Format of the competition
Teams will be organised into zones of six (occasionally fewer depending on entries) and will receive their draw before the start of Term 2. Each team will complete 3 debates against other teams from their zone whenever suits them before mid-Term 3. Once those 3 rounds are completed the team(s) with the best record will be declared the zone champions and will compete in a knockout finals series to determine the state champion. The state final will be held in November.
Watch past Years 9 and 10 state finals
