The Impromptu Cup is over for another year, and proved to be a challenging and enjoyable tournament for all involved. Held on Saturday 19th September at the University of Auckland Engineering School, the Impromptu Cup brought 24 ASD teams together to try out a new style of debating (impromptu style, with just five minutes’
preparation time preceding 4‐6 minute speeches!) over the course of four rounds, followed by two semi‐finals and a final.
The university adjudication core who judged the debates were very impressed with the standard of debating, as students debated issues as diverse as allowing gays in the military, sanctions on North Korea, and giving prisoners the right to vote. The four illustrious teams that made it through to the semi‐finals were St Kents, Kristin, Auckland Grammar and EGGS. These teams did very well to edge out a number of other teams who had debated well during the day. St Kents proceeded through to the final in a 2‐1 split decision against EGGS in a debate about introducing separate Maori Prisons. Meanwhile, Kristin won their semi‐final against Grammar again in a 2‐1 split decision, in a debate about open entry university for Maori school leavers. This left the final to be contested between St Kents and Kristin. Ultimately St Kents prevailed in a 4‐1 decision, affirming the motion, “This House supports civil disobedience to raise awareness about environmental issues”. St Kents were awarded the title of 2009 winners of the Impromptu Cup.
In addition to team awards, a number of individual speaker prizes were given out in recognition of top quality individual performances at the Impromptu Cup. Highly Commended awards were given to Sally Wu of EGGS, Megan Dickie of Diocesan, Blake Stuart of St Kents, and Scott Ashby of Kristin. An Impromptu Cup tournament team was named, which represented Auckland’s top impromptu debaters. The reserve for this team was Hamish Saunders of Grammar. The team consisted of Asher Emanuel from St Kents and Josh Baxter from Grammar. Asher Emanuel was also named Best Speaker of the tournament.
Thank you very much to all teams who came along for the day, the Committee and adjudicators thoroughly enjoyed it. Gretta Schumacher proved to be a reliable and ever helpful convenor, and Desley Horton (ASD Chairperson) was invaluable in looking after the draws for each round and selecting for the awards.
Well done all, and we look forward to seeing you again next year!
