A DEBATE on the merits of gymnastics saw the progression of the first round of the 19th Courier/ Chartered Institute of Bankers in Scotland Junior Schools Debating Competition last night when the eighth heat was held at Webster’s High School, Kirriemuir.

The teams debated “That this house would restrict gymnastics tuition for the under 16s”. Proposing, arguing for the necessity to protect young people, were Geraldine Cooper and Duncan Mearns of Aberdeen Grammar School, Alistair Turner and Brandon Robertson of Webster’s High, and Christopher McCaffery and Evie Rae of Robert Gordon’s College.

Opposing, defending the need for young people to be involved in sport, were Skye Gaffney and Hope Gaffney of St John’s High School, Dundee, Karlene Douglas and Amy Fitzpatrick of Forfar Academy and Doug Cochran, a non-competitive speaker from St Andrews University.

The proposition focused on potential health problems gymnastics can cause, Alistair Turner saying, “Training can be a form of torture that has no place in sport.” They then discussed the need to balance education with extra-curricular activity—Geraldine Cooper asking, “What happens when someone leaves a gymnastics career at 25 with no degree or education?”

The opposition dealt with the social benefits of gymnastics, Hope Gaffney saying “gymnastics is a fun social activity where you meet like-minded people”. The theme was developed to cover the need to combat Scotland’s obesity crisis.

The house rejected the motion by 23 to 13, with three in absentia.

Aberdeen Grammar, Robert Gordon’s College and Forfar Academy go to the second round.

Speaker was Dickie Douglas of St Andrews University Union Debating Society, the judging panel John Mather (Chartered Institute of Bankers in Scotland), Sally Young (St Andrews University), Jackie Archibald (Sport Tayside and Fife Sports), and Kirsty Russell (The Courier).