On Wednesday 2nd November, Cardiff Sixth Form College hosted the South Wales 2016/17 qualifying round of the Institute of Ideas Debating Matters competition.
Originally launched in 2003-2004, Debating Matters gives students from all backgrounds the option to engage in challenging, topical debates, including schools with a long tradition of debating, and those with no experience at all.
This particular debate focused on whether we should accept the risk inherent in contact sports, with Horace Chik and Timothy Tempus from Cardiff Sixth Form College putting forward the proposition argument, in response to the opposition argument from Ysgol Gyfun Plasmawr.
The three-strong judging panel consisted of Magnus Carter, Executive Coach and Reputation Management Consultant, and former BBC broadcast journalist; Chris Hardman, Student and Debating Matters Alumnus at Swansea University; and Dr. Pamela Styles, Learning Manager at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust. Meanwhile, the debate was chaired by University of Bristol student, Sarah Roller.
Horace and Timothy delivered a clear, strong argument in favour of contact sports, which was met with an equally convincing case from Ysgol Gyfun Plasmawr.
After a short break, the judges announced that they had reached a split decision, with Ysgol Gyfun Plasmawr taking the lead by just a few points. Once qualifying rounds have taken place throughout the country, the successful schools/college will go forward to compete in the Regional Finals in Spring 2017.
Good luck to the Debating Club at their next debate in Birmingham this Saturday 12th November!
Categories: News
