Manav Dhaliwal

Debate is probably the extra-curricular activity that I enjoy most. I never find debate, whether it be training or judging or imparting advice, tiring or work-like. I understand that debate can be a very daunting thing, when I started I usually placed in the bottom 1/4 of tournaments I attended. No natural talent existed. And that's what is key, debate can be taught and improved on. You don't need to be the greatest public speaker the world has ever seen. All you need is a voice and ideally the ability to think.

I believe the primary concern of the society should be to keep our novices and first years engaged and actually happy about their performances in debate rounds. Whether their goal be winning worlds or just having more fun at meetings.

Why me?

I have two years of coaching experience along with other teaching positions at various summer schools and individual tuting. I have taken some of the shyest kids you'll have met and proved to them they have the ability to break and progress at tournaments. Coaching is both an individualised and group activity and I believe it should be treated as such, that is why I will be more than happy to respond to individual concerns via text or email and promise to respond to such whenever I can. I want to maintain an air of approachability.

I also have broken to various finals including Manchester, Oxford, Imperial, UCL and LSE. I believe myself to be in good standing as a debater and this to be important to the role.