GPS Debating Round 4 vs King’s Report
J.G. Nicholas
Last Friday, King’s hosted Shore on topics related to ‘Sport’ and the boys split their opponents for 7 of 13 debates in a competitive night of debate.
Continuing their campaign to end their losing streak, the affirming 7A’s were given yet another atypical topic ‘This house believes that all primary school sports should be coeducational.’ Eddie Godfrey and Fred Stewart both wowed with their substantive and Richard Zhang’s speech at 3rd “was a roller coaster but got the job done”; well done boys, for ending the losing streak. Affirming the same topic, the B’s went down in a close debate, characterised by Eddie Ohlsson and Nathan Borgonah’s fantastic rebuttal and a strong characterisation from Alexander Freischmidt. The C’s and B’s debates were similarly close, with the C’s taking a win and D’s a loss, including a star performance from Leo Callanan.
Keen to regain their confidence after a tough outing against Grammar, the 8’s and 9’s were sent in affirming the topic ‘That countries should refuse to host women’s sporting events unless the players are paid the same as the men’s equivalent.’ The A’s went down in a close debate that could’ve done with some more weighing of the important issues. Unfortunately, the B’s strayed slightly too far from the realm of the topic in their justification for equal pay more broadly and lost their debate despite a well-structured speech at 1st from Digby Wood. Regaining some dignity for the Year 8’s the C’s had an exceptionally strong night at the podium and walked away with a win off the backs of their well organised case and responsive rebuttal.
Affirming the same topic, the 9A’s debate saw a strong performance from Yukai Yan who cleared up their model well enough to put them in a position to win but ultimately went down in a close tussle with King’s. Appealing to their adjudicator’s progressive disposition, the B’s more politically correct and well-argued principle saw them take decisive victory on enemy turf.
Finally finding themselves on the easier end of a topic for once, the Year 10’s negated ‘That the Australian government should aggressively direct funding into bolstering the A-league.’ Eric Qiao was a standout for the A’s at 1st who was able to prove the principle harms of the opposition’s model and set the boys up for a well-deserved victory. In similar fashion, the B’s perspicaciously defended an effective model focusing on grassroots football investment to precipitate more natural growth in the sport; Connor Fung’s speech at 3rd providing some valuable ball knowledge to round out a night to be proud of for the B’s.
Expecting a gender-related take on the ‘Sports’ topic genre, the 1sts, 2nds and 3rds were glad to negate ‘This house would, as major sporting associations of female dominated sports should focus our marketing/recruitment on expanding men’s participation.’ Braden Dent was characteristically terrible at 3rd, his absolutely atrocious speech leaving the responsibility on Lawson Banks to take control of the ship, securing a 3rds W with his good characterisation and lovely manner. Coach Bryson Constable should be commended for his handling of such a talented (except for Braden) side.
3rds veterans Lawson Banks and Patrick Zhang
Annoyingly the 2nds went yet another week without a win as they struggled to analyse the stakeholders with precision. Max Kim at 1st did a respectable job at setting up the boys’ case but it wasn’t enough to overcome a well-organised King’s opposition.
Knowing a loss may ruin the Premiership dream and undefeated record, the 1sts diligently got to work in the prep room as a King’s sleeper agent kid relentlessly kicked a footy ball against the outside wall. Ignoring the little kid, the boys began constructing a case oriented on the motivations of these associations and the potential alienation of both female fans and athletes implicit to the proposed redirection of marketing and recruitment resources. Lachie Hunt spoke well at 1st, effectively mitigating most of his opponent’s analysis as not very relevant to said motivations. Michael Kwak spoke with his usual flair at 2nd, and despite not really clarifying much of what was a very convoluted debate (as you’re supposed to at 3rd negative), Jimmy Nicholas spoke well enough to secure a tight yet definite 1sts victory. Extending their record to 4-0, the 1sts now lead the competition tally, and hope to all but secure the premiership this week against a formidable Scots side.
The boys getting it done
This week against Scots, the boys will put their knowledge of ‘Australian Politics’ to the test in what is sure to be yet another night of high-quality debating.