International debating success
Debating Coordinator Mr Phillip Saidi and Head Debating Coach Mr Kasra Roushan report on some noteworthy Grammar representation at the 2026 World University Debating Championship.
Old Sydneians achieved wonderful success in Sofia, Bulgaria at the 2026 World University Debating Championship (WUDC). WUDC is the world’s largest debating tournament, held annually with teams representing hundreds of universities from across the world. The Sydney Grammar School Debating Programme has a long tradition of producing highly successful participants in the tournament. This year was no exception.
Current senior coaches Jack Glass (OS 2022), representing the University of Sydney, and Oliver Bardsley (OS 2022), representing the University of New South Wales, broke into the final rounds of the tournament, with Jack making the semi-finals and Oliver making a partial double octo-final.
Pictured: Jack Glass (OS 2022)
Old Sydneians Bennett Roebuck-Krautz (OS 2020), representing the University of New South Wales, and Aidan Woo (OS 2021), representing the University of Oxford, made the quarter finals, and Brendon Chen (OS 2021) judged a grand final of the competition.
Most notably, Jack Story (OS 2022), representing the University of Sydney, won the competition and was recognised as its third-best speaker. He joins a long tradition of world finalists who debated for the Grammar Firsts, including beloved OSU Great Debate speaker James Hooke (OS 1988) and The Honourable Chief Justice of NSW Andrew Bell AC (OS 1983). The Chief Justice together with Warren Lee (OS 1982) won the WUDC at Princeton in January 1989.
Pictured: Jack Story (OS 2022)
We congratulate our Old Sydneians for their exceptional achievements. It is a testament to their many years of deep commitment to and passion for debating, and the strength of the Sydney Grammar School Debating Programme of which they were and still are an essential part.
Pictured: James Hooke (OS 1988)
Pictured: The Honourable Chief Justice of NSW Andrew Bell AC (OS 1983)
Sydney Grammar School
College Street, Darlinghurst
NSW 2010 Australia
Phone: (02) 9332 5800
Edgecliff Preparatory School
Alma Street, Paddington
NSW 2021 Australia
Phone: (02) 9366 0100
St Ives Preparatory School
Ayres Rd, St Ives
NSW 2075 Australia
Phone: (02) 8302 5200
