This year, I had the opportunity to coach the Year 7s & 8s for Interhouse Debating. We assisted them with point preparation, as well as giving them tips for improving their manner and rebuttals. This culminated in 2 debates, one in week 2, and the other in week 4.

For the first debate, one of our members decided to write their speech the day of. As leaders, though we had prepared them well with the information and points needed, this outcome demonstrated that they (the debaters) needed a form of accountability that we had previously failed to provide. For the next debate, we resolved to meet very early to ensure ample preparation time, and to check up on them via email regularly. This opened up the streams of communication, and all members were able to successfully write a speech for the second debate.

Overall, coaching the Year 7 & 8 debaters improved leadership and communication skills. It also allowed me to empathise for the debaters, as I had been in their place previously, so had experience with how they might feel about the challenge.