HOW IT WORKS
We designed this league around one simple belief: a great speech and debate program shouldn’t require heroic effort to run. Every element - the schedule, the coaching support, the tournament format, and the season length has been built to fit within the real rhythms of a busy school, a full-time teacher, and a middle schooler’s life. Here’s exactly what joining looks like.
For the first season are offering two events:
Debate: World Schools
Speech: Original Oratory
Timeline
1. Join
Register your school and identify a faculty or staff member (no experience necessary!) to serve as your team’s coach. We handle the rest of onboarding, including complimentary NSDA membership for your school and coach.
Begin recruiting building buzz with parents and students.
2. Prepare
Starting in the summer, your coach will receive a ready-to-use curriculum, logistics training, and everything needed to recruit students, run a practice, and host an after-school match. We will also announce the season topic area.
3. The Season
Six after-school tournaments between late-September and early-December. Your coach runs once-a-week practices. Debate Matters provides continued support, including weekly centralized online practice sessions for students and voluntary coach check-ins providing ongoing support throughout the season.
4. Celebrate
The season ends with a championship tournament, season-long awards, and NSDA Honor Society recognition for every participating student. Points earned in middle school carry forward to their high school Honor Society record, giving them a head start on a legacy that lasts well beyond eighth grade.
Contact us
Interested in working together? Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly. We can’t wait to hear from you!