Bermuda’s national debate team will be facing off against England’s 2016 World Champion National Debate Team on July 12th; pitting three of Bermuda’s best young debaters against former debaters who have proven to be among the World’s best. The Debate will cap an intensive two-week debate camp.

Kenza Wilks, Organizer of the camp is excited about the opportunities the two weeks will present: “We have been overwhelmed with the positive response CodeBlue WSBC has received from students, parents and sponsors on the island. We are really looking forward to continuing to bring world class debate coaching to Bermuda in our future programmes.”

On behalf the Debate Society, Nikki-Lynn Marshall, President and a former Worlds Debater said: “We’re very happy to have our National Team have this experience. Kenza and his colleagues bring a wealth of knowledge and experience that will truly compliment the Team’s training program. The Camp will develop Bermuda debaters, and the Debate against Team England will showcase Bermudian talent.”

Team England won the 2016 World School’s Debating Championship (WSDC), the world’s premiere High School Debating Competition, involving students from over 50 countries; the debate on 12th of July will see Bermuda’s team compete against the 2016 WSDC Champions.

The Bermuda National Team is comprised of Ywione Darrell (16, Saltus), Cree Dunn (16, BHS), Kate Tobin (16, Somersfield), Giselle Concepcion (16, Saltus) and Robert Thomas (17, Berkley).

Representing ‘Team England’ will be Mr. Wilks, a Bermudian, Captain of the victorious in 2016-17 Team England, and who was voted WSDC’s Best Speaker 2017; Will Cook, Captain of the England Team in 2014 and also a former WSDC Best Speaker; as well as Rosa Thomas who represented Team England in 2016.

“I’m very excited to have our team participate and spar with the incoming instructors, who are themselves former Worlds debaters. The incoming group bring great experience and skill from which I believe our students will greatly benefit.” commented Coy Kijaun Millett, National Debate Team Coach and a former Worlds debater.

The camp is being sponsored by a number of major firms on the island including Allied World, Canterbury Law, Conyers Dill and Pearman, KPMG, AIG, Challenger Banks, and the Bermuda Public Services Union, all providing scholarships and bursaries for students to attend the camp.

The showcase debate will be held at the BUEI on the evening of the 12th of July at 5pm and members of the public are invited.