Earlier last month, I had the opportunity to Captain the New Zealand School’s Debating Team at the World Championships in Zagreb, Croatia. In the lead up to this tournament our team also competed at a Pre-Worlds championship in Prague, Czech Republic.

Coached by two senior debaters, our entire team travelled to Auckland for six consecutive weekends before our trip away and took part in workshops that ultimately led to the great success our team achieved in Croatia. After winning seven out of eight of our preliminary rounds, debating motions such as 'banning all advertising', 'regretting the notion of the afterlife', and opposing the 'Belt and Road initiative', New Zealand broke 2nd to the octo-final rounds (out of 65 nations.) 

We then went on to debate in the knock out rounds but were eventually beaten by Singapore in the quarterfinals. Overall our team placed 5th in the competition, and I personally placed as the 16th best speaker. This opportunity was undoubtedly the best experience of my life; as even more than just developing my debating, I was able to make life long friends and experience some beautiful European countries. Furthermore I am extremely grateful to the school, and Ms Togneri in particular, who has facilitated and pushed individual debaters here for as long as I can remember.