Tournament Invitation

Winter Clash Debate Invitational Richmond Forum Speech and Debate League #3

*Must be a member of the RFSDL to register. Contact Sandra@RichmondForum.org to join. Dues are $150 for 1-10, $250 for 11-20, and $350 for 21+ students

WHEN: December 13, 2025

WHERE: Vernon Johns Middle School

3101 Homestead Dr.

Petersburg, VA 23805

EVENTS: For invitationals, NSDA or NCFL rules will be followed. We hope to provide a great local tournament option for Central Virginia schools especially! Middle school students are required to compete in the Novice category. Congress will be held at Petersburg High School.

1. Lincoln-Douglas: Novice* and Open, 4 rounds.

Resolved: The United States ought to rewild substantial tracts of land.

2. Public Forum: Novice* and Open. 4 rounds.

Resolved: The United States federal government should require technology companies to provide lawful access to encrypted communications.

3. Policy Debate: Open 4 rounds.

Resolved: The United States federal government should significantly increase its exploration and/or development of the Arctic.

*Novice debaters must be in their first year of competitive debate, regardless of current grade level. If there are not enough numbers to operate a separate novice bracket, they will be combined into the open division but top novice awards will still be given. Please indicate on Tabroom if a competitor is in his/her first year of competition.

1 judge for:

…every 2 Lincoln-Douglas Debate entries or fraction thereof,

…every 2 Public Forum Debate entries or fraction thereof,

…every 2 Policy Debate entries or fraction thereof.

COSTS:

Schools in good standing with the Richmond Forum Speech and Debate League will not incur any competition fees. Schools that have not paid dues may attend one tournament without joining the league, but must pay an entry fee of $20 per student entry ($40 for partner events). Schools must pay RFSDL dues to participate in additional competitions.

DROPS:

Drops (for any reason) are permitted up to 48 hours before the tournament with no penalty. Drops within 48 hours require schools to honor the entry fees AND still require the original judging quota. If the original judging quota is not met upon registration, students may not be able to compete. Students may not be able to compete. The League reserves the right to charge a $75 dropped judge fee.

Awards will be held at Petersburg High School at the completion of all rounds

CONCESSIONS and LUNCH:

Lunches for competitors, coaches, and judges are included.

AWARDS:

Awards will be given to the top 3 finishers in each category. Sweepstakes and runner up sweepstakes trophies will be given to the schools with the most points in each division (speech and debate). The top six in each event will receive a bid to the RFSDL National Qualifier on January 17th at Cosby High School.

REGISTRATION:

Please go to http://winterclash.tabroom.com

You will need to create a Tabroom.com account with an email and password (free). Add your entries and judges.

A limited number of entries can be accepted. Priority will be given to RFSDL schools and Varsity entries.

Direct any tabroom questions to Sanchez@richmondforum.org

All registrations will be due by December 8, 2025

With gratitude,

Tournament Host Terri Smith, tesmith@petersburg.k12.va.us

Tournament Director: Lucretia Anderson, Lucretia@RichmondForum.org and Sanchez Tucker, Sanchez@RichmondForum.org