Each year debating unions across the country hold competitons known as inter-varsity competitions or IVs. These events are a great way to improve your debating skills, represent your university and meet lots of new people. They're great fun and we'd really recommend them. There are also lot of opportunities to participate throughout the year.

We also run debates training at 3pm on Weds afternoons in the Carnegie Suite of the Union building (carry on left past the entrance to Air on floor 4) which'll make sure you're prepared for the format the vast majority of competitions use - if you can't make it email dundeedebates@hotmail.co.uk and we'll send you some information.

The 'Bogwall' tournament - this year hosted by Strathclyde on Saturday October 30th - would be a great place to start as it is a competition designed for those new to competitive debating. We will pay your entry fee and reimburse your travel expenses in full, and it should be a good day out socially as we're hoping to enter several teams. If you're at all interested or would like more information please contact our Convenor, Geraint James, at g.z.james@dundee.ac.uk .

Forthcoming tournaments later in the year include:

- Durham & Newcastle IV - 06-07 November 2010

-'Scottish Weekend': Joint hosts Universities of Edinburgh and St. Andrews - 04-06 February 2011

-University of Aberdeen Open - 26 March 2011

More to be added as confirmed. Please contact Geraint at g.z.james@dundee.ac.uk if interested in speaking at any of the above events"