Sam Block – Chief Adjudicator

Sam is one half of the 2007 EUDC winning team from Cambridge. He was also best speaker in Koc in 2007, best speaker at Worlds 2007 in Thailand and 2nd best at Worlds 2006 in Vancouver. He is also an international mace winner and has won many IVs in Britain, Ireland and Europe. He is widely recognized as a truly exceptional speaker and one the most talented seen in many years.
He is also a deputy chief adjudicator for the 2008 Tallinn EUDC, has been the chief adjudicator of the Cork IV and the prestigious Cambridge schools competition and is a highly respected judge.

Alex Ward - DCA

Alex restarted the Newcastle University Debating Society in 2001. He went on to be the most successful debater in the history of Newcastle, reaching European Semi-final, 15 International finals and English Speaking Union GB Team tours of Japan & Portugal. Once he left university he has gone on to judge European Final, 2 World Quarter finals and CA at several international tournaments. Now working for Shell he still keeps involved with debating as registrar of European Universities Debating Council and coached Lieden University in Holland to be one of most successful ESL teams in Europe.

Leela Koenig - DCA

Leela is a very well regarded debater and judge from Leiden University in the Netherlands. She was the highest ranked English second language (ESL) speaker at EUDC 2007 and has had a consistent record of success as both a speaker and judge in recent years.

James Dray - DCA

James Dray is one of the best speakers in his generation. Originally from South Africa, he represented Oxford in the Worlds Final 2007 and a European Semi-Final. His first ever final in Britain was at Newcastle.

Uve Poom - DCA

Uve is a very successful speaker notably he is a Euros ESL winner from Istanbul 2007 and is based in Tallinn University. He has held many senior adjudication positions in national and European debating. He is a passionate advocate for the development of debating in his home country of Estonia and the rest of Europe.

Russell Haswell – Co-Convenor

Russell was the Union’s Convenor of Debates for two years and is now a Life Member of the Debating Society. He is a passionate advocate for Newcastle as a Debating Union and University. Under his tenure the long-defunct Inter Mural Debating Competition was restarted after 36 years, it is now a regular feature of student life. Russell ran a successful Newcastle IV and after much hard work, became a successful speaker, reaching the finals in Prague and Belgrade.

Oskar Avery - Co-Convenor

Oskar first debated at university level with Leeds University as an undergraduate before coming to Newcastle University as a postgrad. Elected to Convenor of Debates in March 2007, he has made it his aim to bring the European Championships to the University. Oskar is a breaking speaker in various competitions including Belgrade, Prague, Glamorgan and Lancaster.