Junior Debating Competition
The Junior Debating Competitionis a debating competition for those students in their junior cycle of second level education in Ireland. At present it is run by the Law Society in University College Dublin with the assistance of the Historical Society of Trinity College Dublin. Averaging around 200 competitors each year, it is the largest debating competition of its kind in the country.
Format
The format of the competition is based on the Irish Times Debating Competition and is the same as the competition's sister competition the All - Ireland Schools Debating Competition. Each first round consists of eight teams (Four proposition and four opposition teams) where the first speaker from each team speaks in turn followed by a return to the start and each second speaker finishing the process. Two teams and two individuals ProgresS from each round.
Speakers are given the motion one week in advance so as to allow ample time to prepare. During the debate points of information May Be offered after protected time has elapsed. This format provides for a great introduction to debating, allowing students to prepare and gain confidence while allowing for great interaction during the debate.
History
The competition was originally founded in 2004 as the 'Junior Debating' Competition by David Hopkins and in the first year was co-convened by Pamela Keegan in association with NUI Maynooth's Literary and Debating Society. That year saw 59 teams enter in what originally planned to be a local competition for the Dublin 15 area.
The following year the competition discontinued its association with Maynooth's L&D society after a series of complaints were made by competitors regarding the conduct of the society's auditor. The 2005/06 Competition was again convened by David Hopkins in association with UCD's Literary and Historical Society. This year saw the number of teams double to over 110 in total. In 2006/07 the competition again grew when over 120 teams entered. That year the competition was co-convened by Catherine Duplaa and Shane Smith. Together they captured increased sponsorship funds and expanded the competition to schools that had never previously entered. The 2007/08 convened by Orla Kenny and Barry Guihen saw Blackrock College win for the first time. The Competition was smaller then previousl years but this was soon to be rectified. 2008/2009 saw the competition become the largest regional competition for school debating in the country with over 300 competitors.
This year (2009/2010) has seen the University College Dublin Law Society and the Historical Society of TCD take over the reins, the convenors this year are the experienced team of David Hopkins and Catherine Duplaa. This year also includes a Junior Schools' Plate Competition for many teams who were knocked out in the first round of the competition. The final will take place on March 9th in UCD's Astra Hall