SCS Debating Competition Format

Overview

The Sunshine Coast Schools Debating Competition is a free of charge, short-prep debating tournament open to all schools throughout the Sunshine Coast.

The tournament operates with three multi-age divisions:

• Junior Division: Years 6-7
• Intermediate Division: Years 8-9 
• Senior Division: Years 10-12 

Each division competes with four preliminary rounds followed by catch-up and play-off rounds (if required) prior to a single round of Quarterfinals, Semifinals and then a Grand Final.

Competition details

• At present, the Competition is hosted at Sunshine Coast Grammar School.
• Teams should have a minimum of four members (three speakers and one chairperson/timekeeper)
• Four people maximum are allowed in the prep room (either four debaters, or three debaters and their coach)
• Technology and/or devices are not permitted in the preparation room; information sheets will be provided if necessary
• Topics are a mixture of policy debates ("should" debates), empirical debates, and regret debates.

Times

• Junior Division: Preparation at 4:30pm, with the debate at 5:30pm
• Intermediate Division: Preparation at 5:45pm, with the debate at 6:45pm
• Senior Division: Preparation at 7pm, with the debate at 8pm

Speaking times

• Junior Division: 3-4 minutes
• Intermediate Division: 4-6 minutes
• Senior Division: 6-8 minutes

Further details

• Schools must provide 1 FTE (full-time equivalent) adjudicator per every two teams registered. Adjudicators are trained by the Executive prior to the commencement of the Competition each year
• Dates for each round, and the draw, can be found on the website when available.
• In 2026, teams and adjudicators must be registered by Friday the 24th of July (end of Week 2, Term 3)

Further details regarding forfeits, withdrawal, scoring, late arrival, etiquette, and complaints can be found on our FAQs page and in the 2026 Rules and Regulations located on the Forms page.

Further details regarding how-to debate can be found on our Resources page.