Just on the GPS competition: I was talking to a coach at Kings and I can honestly say that their so called "renaissance" is untrue. Their senior teams are both quite weak - the 1sts lost to High at UNSW, and their 2nds have gotten some VERY lucky decisions. In the junior competitions, their is a complete lack of depth in particular in the B's squads. I don't buy any of this.
Also my 2 cents on GPS competition for years to come:
Joeys - completely irrelevant IMO. Shocked if they win more than 50% of their debates in the next 5 years
Scots - good coaches but don't buy the hype. The MIC is looking to cut costs after a disappointing performance over the last few years. There was a significant drop off in their coaching quality once Daniel Swain (world champion, potentially one of the greatest of all time) left; unlikely to be replaced with anyone of comparable calibre.
Shore - dark horse with lots of potential, but unlikely to pay off. In particular, there's a year 10 1st response speaker with alot of promise by the name of Alex Mao. Didn't trial for state squad this year but almost a lock for a 1st grade spot next year. Personally think his ceiling his combined GPS, unlikely to make the state team. But the rest of his team is quite poor.
Riverview - been in a slump in recent years. Severe lack of coaching quality due to a pay decrease. Don't bet on them making a return to their vintage form
Grammar - probably the favourites for a few years to come still. In particular, a year 9 student by the name of Robert Loughley (unsure of spelling?) is debating in their 2nd grade squad and looks like an absolute gun. Future Jimmy STratton?
Kings - already talked about
High - probably the team to look out for in the future. Believe the hype: the class of 2016 and 2017 are very good. I would say the 2016 class are much deeper, but at the top they are still quite outstanding (others have mentioned names so won't bother repeating them). Have the potential to be just as good as the very unlucky class of 2013, or even the class of 2012.
Newington - don't know enough about. Very insular program, keep recruiting ex debaters to coach. Not very familiar with contacts there
Also my 2 cents on GPS competition for years to come:
Joeys - completely irrelevant IMO. Shocked if they win more than 50% of their debates in the next 5 years
Scots - good coaches but don't buy the hype. The MIC is looking to cut costs after a disappointing performance over the last few years. There was a significant drop off in their coaching quality once Daniel Swain (world champion, potentially one of the greatest of all time) left; unlikely to be replaced with anyone of comparable calibre.
Shore - dark horse with lots of potential, but unlikely to pay off. In particular, there's a year 10 1st response speaker with alot of promise by the name of Alex Mao. Didn't trial for state squad this year but almost a lock for a 1st grade spot next year. Personally think his ceiling his combined GPS, unlikely to make the state team. But the rest of his team is quite poor.
Riverview - been in a slump in recent years. Severe lack of coaching quality due to a pay decrease. Don't bet on them making a return to their vintage form
Grammar - probably the favourites for a few years to come still. In particular, a year 9 student by the name of Robert Loughley (unsure of spelling?) is debating in their 2nd grade squad and looks like an absolute gun. Future Jimmy STratton?
Kings - already talked about
High - probably the team to look out for in the future. Believe the hype: the class of 2016 and 2017 are very good. I would say the 2016 class are much deeper, but at the top they are still quite outstanding (others have mentioned names so won't bother repeating them). Have the potential to be just as good as the very unlucky class of 2013, or even the class of 2012.
Newington - don't know enough about. Very insular program, keep recruiting ex debaters to coach. Not very familiar with contacts there