NZSDC is excited to announce the launch of our Regional Development Squads. We are now seeking applications from coaches to help lead these squads.
Applications close: 5pm 7 August 2026
Apply via the application form here.
About the Development Squads
The Development Squad programme will bring together approximately 84 students across four regional squads, with 21 students per squad:
- Upper North Island — Northland, Auckland, Counties Manukau
- Middle North Island — Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Hawke's Bay
- Central New Zealand — Central North Island, Wellington, Kahurangi-Marlborough
- South Island — Canterbury, Dunedin, Southland
Each squad will be led by a coaching team of 2–4 coaches.
What Coaching Will Look Like
Coaches will run sessions with their regional squad approximately once a fortnight over Zoom/online. Coaching a Development Squad is a great opportunity to give back to the debating community, support the next generation of debaters in your region, and work alongside fellow coaches in a small, collaborative team.
Council will engage in a feedback process for coaching applicants. The feedback process will be used as a mechanism for individuals to express concerns about the suitability of an applicant to coach students and is not a general feedback process that you may see at the university level for adjudication cores.
An applicant can apply as an individual coach, or in a combination with other applicants. Coaching appointments will be made in line with NZSDC’s Coach Selection Policy found here. Coaching appointments will be made by all non-conflicted members of Council.
We look forward to hearing from you!