Welcome to Bangor Novices Online, a friendly and competitive tournament designed specifically for novice university debaters. Whether you’re looking for your first taste of BP debating or aiming to build confidence before in-person circuits, this tournament offers an accessible, well-run space to learn, compete, and connect.

You can sign up here!

About the Tournament

Bangor Novices Online is hosted by Bangor University Debating & Political Society and is open to any novice British Parliamentary debater from universities across the UK and Ireland.
Our goals are simple:

• Provide a supportive environment for new debaters
• Offer high-quality judging and constructive feedback
• Keep the experience fun, educational, and welcoming

“Novice” typically refers to anyone in their first year of university debating, or who has not broken at a major open tournament. If you’re unsure, just ask — we aim to be inclusive.

Format & Structure

• Format: British Parliamentary (BP)
• Rounds: 3 in-rounds + a Grand Final
• Prep Time: 15 minutes, closed prep
• Platform: Online (usually Discord + Zoom)
• Judging: Mix of experienced and trained novice judges; feedback after every round

Schedule

All times in UK/Ireland time (GMT or BST depending on date).

10:00 — Registration & Briefings

10:30 — Round 1

12:00 — Round 2

13:00 — Lunch Break

13:45 — Round 3

15:15 — Break Announcements

15:45 — Grand Final

17:00 — Awards & Closing

A detailed timetable will be circulated to all registered teams before the tournament.

Registration

• Eligibility: Novice university debaters, including first-year and new postgraduate debaters
• Team Cap: Usually 1–3 teams per institution (flexible based on interest)
• Fee: Free or low-cost depending on platform requirements
• How to Register: A Google Form link will be provided through our socials and circulated to debating societies

If you have accessibility needs or tech requirements, we happily accommodate — just let us know on the form.

Judging

We welcome judges of all levels, including novices looking for experience.
Judges receive:

• A short online briefing
• Access to our judge guide
• Clear expectations and support from the CA team
• Good quality feedback is central to this tournament.

Equity

Bangor Novices Online follows a strict equity policy to ensure a respectful, inclusive environment. Our Equity Officers are available throughout the tournament to handle concerns confidentially.
Key principles include:

• Zero tolerance for harassment or discrimination
• Respectful communication in rounds and chats
• Clear reporting procedures
• A full policy will be available before the event.

You can read our equity policy here.

Motions

Motions will be a mix of accessible, engaging topics suitable for new debaters, with a focus on:

• contemporary social issues
• philosophy and ethics
• cultural and political debates
• beginner-friendly economics

All motions are vetted for fairness and clarity.

Awards

We celebrate:

• Champion Team
• Runner-up Team
• Best Novice Speaker
• Top 5 Speakers
• Best Novice Judge (if applicable)

Speaker tabs and motion sets are released after the final.

Why Attend?

• Friendly, low-pressure introduction to debating
• Practice with structured BP rounds
• Helpful feedback to improve quickly
• Chance to meet other new debaters nationally
• Convenient online format — no travel costs

Contact & Updates

Email: debating@undebbangor.com

Instagram: @bangorpolitics

Discord: Link circulated upon registration

For any questions, message us through our socials — we’re always happy to help.