Competition Code of Conduct

Debaters will —

• treat the occasion, each other, and the adjudicators with respect;
• respect the rules of the competition, particularly relating to secret subject and advised subject preparation; and
• accept the adjudicator’s decision.

Debaters will not —

• disrupt or distract from another debater’s speech or the adjudicator’s comments;
• use offensive language or behaviour;
• make denigrating comments on the basis of age, culture, gender, sexuality, disability, religion, family; or
• harass their opponents or the adjudicator.

Adjudicators will —

• treat the outing in a formal and professional manner;
• limit their adjudications to 10 minutes, and make constructive comments to assist the debaters; and
• be sensitive when commenting upon physical or physiological disabilities;

Adjudicators will not —

• allow bias or personal knowledge to influence their decisions.

Teachers and the audience will —

• hear the speakers in reasonable silence; and
• encourage and foster a spirit of fair play and good sport.

Teachers and the audience will not —

• harass debaters and adjudicators before, during or after the debate.

Coaches will —

• Conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times;
• Notify Regional Coordinators and the Schools Administrator of any possible conflict between their role as coach and their involvement in any DAV activity.

Coaches will not —

• Communicate with any DAV representative with the purpose of intimidating them or challenging them in the fulfilment of their role.

Participants will –

• request and receive permission from both teams, and the adjudicator, and the Host School Coordinator, and the DAV Office before recording any debate in whole or part

Participants will not –

• use mobile phones to make or receive calls or send text messages during a debate