About Contests
Our members regularly speak in front of their clubs, improving their general skills. However, the pressure of competing in a contest in front of judges from outside your club is unique. It is the true measure of a great speaker delivering under pressure.
For Division B winners click here. For Division K winners click here. For Division L winners click here
We hold four contests in total - two in the Autumn and two in the Spring. They are:
Spring Contests
International Speech Contest - the contest rules say nothing about the style or content of the speeches - give the best speech you can!
Evaluation Contest - Giving great feedback to speakers
Autumn Contests
Humorous Speech Contest - Fun, laughter and great entertainmentbut still a speech with value - not a stand-up routine.
Table Topics Contest - Impromptu speaking skills
Our contests start at Club level, typically with up to eight clubs members taking part in each one. Winners at that level take part in the Area final, usually competing with the winners of five or six other clubs. The winner of this then goes on to compete at Division level.
The winner of this then competes against winners from the other four Divisions across UK South. These finals are one the highlights each year of our Spring and Autumn District conferences.
At this point the International Speech contest sets itself apart by having an International element. The winners compete for the title of World Champion of Public Speaking. This is a contest with over seventy contestants and over two thousand spectators.
Contests are special and winning at London, UK South or World levels is a wonderful achievement. Many of these people use the skills they learn to become professional speakers and trainers.
