Four young Bermudians are set to jet off for Australia for three weeks of fierce competition at the eighth International World Debating Championships.

The quality of debate in Bermuda has grown tremendously in the last five years, according to coach Gladstone Thompson, who said the team was of "a reasonable world standard, and the best team I've seen here yet''.

If Mr. Thompson is correct, Bermuda is expected to make the quarter finals this year. Last year Bermuda placed tenth overall and beat Israel, the team that eventually won, and New Zealand, Italy, and Malaysia at the championships in Wales. The Island will host the competition next year.

Nicholas Pacheco, Nicole Pinder, Rahsan Smith, and Charles Souza will be representing Bermuda at the prestigious competition which begins on Wednesday.

They will be debating against countries such as Malaysia, Scotland, Australia, United States, Singapore, The Czech Republic, and Pakistan.

Nicholas Pacheco attended the World's Debating Competition in Wales last year and is captain of the team this year.

The students will be accompanied by world class adjudicator Elizabeth Virgo who lives in Bermuda and Mr. Thompson.

Some of the resolutions being debated at the tournament are, "This house believes that sport brings out the best in us'', "This house believes that we should fear China'', "Voluntary euthanasia should be legalised'', and "We should censor the Internet''.

"We also have four impromptu debates in which the teams will receive the resolutions about an hour before the debate,'' said Mr. Thompson who is also described as the "main engine and motivator'' behind the preparations.

The students were selected from a debating pool to which all secondary schools were invited to send representatives in September.

"We watched them debate various topics, and chose the students who were the most eligible,'' Mr. Thompson explained.

The team meets for four hours on Saturdays and two hours during the week to research their topics. They also have practice debates to improve their technique and work on arguments and strategy.

"This verbal boxing is not a sport for soft people because it is tough,'' Mr.

Thompson pointed out. "At the same time good debaters do not necessarily have to be at the top of the class, or academic geniuses. Debating trains a person to think objectively, and to recognise the pros and cons of every situation. A common misconception is that debaters are very opinionated people with strong of feelings on many issues.'' However, he said, the art of debating was often being able to successfully argue a case which could be diametrically opposed to one's personal views.

Mr. Thompson also pointed out that learning the "art of persuasion'' had many advantages for students.

"It encourages students to research topics, dig deeper, and find out more using the library, computers and keeping up to date with the news,'' he said.

"It gives people confidence to speak well in front of large public bodies and to think on their feet.

"I think that anyone who has represented Bermuda in debating has a really good chance at attaining scholarships, and I think debate is something a certain part of our society really appreciates.'' Competing in world debates will offer students the opportunity to make friends and develop contacts all over the world, he said.

When The Royal Gazette talked with the team, they appeared very confident about the upcoming competition.

"I feel secure and as prepared as I can be about this competition,'' said Nicole Pinder. "The team as a whole feels confident, but not overly confident.'' "I also learn many things when attending these competitions'', Mr. Thompson explained, like the proper coach etiquette, how to coach the team more effectively, and "how to look at everything from every differnt slant or angle''.

"We do not like to send students to the Worlds until at least their 16th birthday,'' Mr. Thompson added. "This is to do with their level of maturity, general knowledge and experience.'' The Bermuda Debate Society has done all the fundraising for the trip to Australia by appealing to many sponsors.

"I would like to thank all of our sponsors,'' Mr. Thompson said. "We are well ahead of the game. Sen. Terry Lister and Elizabeth Virgo are the driving force behind getting the sponsors.'' The Bermuda Debate team will return from Sydney, Australia on August 16.