Team Austria

As part of the World Schools Debating Championships (WSDC), Team Austria represents our nation in the global arena of competitive debating. Each year, our team is selected through a rigorous process, ensuring that the best and brightest debaters have the opportunity to showcase their skills and intellect on the international stage.

About WSDC and EuroSDC

The World Schools Debating Championships (WSDC) and the European Schools Debating Championships (EuroSDC) are prestigious international debating competitions.

Team Austria proudly represents the nation at both these esteemed events, aiming to make a mark with their debating skills and dedication.

Worlds Schools Debating Championship (WSDC)

The World Schools Debating Championships is the pinnacle of global school-level debating, held annually in July or August. Teams from around the world gather to compete, showcasing their debating prowess on a wide array of global issues.

Find out more about WSDC.

European Schools Debating Championship (EuroSDC)

The European Schools Debating Championships is the premier debate competition for European schools, typically held in February or March. This competition brings together the best debaters from across Europe, fostering a spirit of friendly competition and cultural exchange.

Current infos can be found here.

National Team 2026

Applications for the National team are currently closed. You will have the chance to represent Austria at the European and World Championship at the next trials.

Both the Development Team and National Team will represent Austria at the European Championships, while the National Team will go to the World Championships.

Find out more about selections below.

You can follow our team on instagram: @wsdc.austria

Selections

The selection process determines the next national team as well as the development team, which aims to join the national team in the following year(s). We encourage all interested studens to apply no matter the experience.

The selection process for 2026 is now closed.

The selection process for the national team involves several key steps:

Application

Eligibility: Students aged 14-19 who are enrolled in an Austrian school are eligible to apply.
Requirements: Applicants must provide basic information, personal details, and a self-assessment of their debate skills and commitment.
Review: All applications are thoroughly checked by the selection panel.

Trials

Invitation: The applicants are invited to participate in the Trials.
Event: The Trials will take place in November. Invited applicants meet for a series of exercises and debate rounds.
Observation: External highly qualified debate judges lead the exercises and debate rounds, testing various skills. The coaching team is also present to observe.
Assessment: The applicants’ performance in previous tournaments, their written applications, and their showcased skills during the Trials are all considered.

Final Selection

Deliberation: After the Trials, the judges and coaches meet to discuss the candidates. They assess all aspects of each applicant’s performance and application.
Decision: A final decision is made to form the best possible team, based on a comprehensive evaluation of each candidate’s abilities and potential.
Results: The applicants are informed whether they have been selected for the national team or the development squad. Upon request feedback is given to all applicants.

Team Austria History

Team Austria 2025/26

Member	Role	School
Yizhao Chen (Captain)	National Team	BRG 19 Krottenbachstraße
Nils Maletz	National Team	Graz International Bilingual School
Felix Piletta-Toniot	National Team	Albertus Magnus Schule
Viktor Vojnoski	National Team	BRG 1 Schottenbastei
Oliver Wernhart	National Team	BRG 3 Boerhaavegasse
Nora Bärnthaler	Development Team	Graz International Bilingual School
Medeea Camelia Balan	Development Team	HAK Sacre-Coeur
Maria-Elena Hartleb	Development Team	Graz International Bilingual School
Alisa Ivanova	Development Team	Gymnasium Sacre-Coeur
Cecily Schwarz	Development Team	Akademisches Gymnasium
Marina Kojić	Head Coach National Team	Debattierklub Wien
Anna Neuber	Team Manager	Debattierklub Wien
Samuel Gall	Head Coach Development Team	Debattierklub Wien
Elisa Cerda	Assistant Coach

Team Austria 2024/25

Member	Role	School
Elena Brehm	National Team	Vienna Business School 8
Elisa Cerda	National Team	VBS 23 Draschestraße
Sofia Schuppler (Captain)	National Team	Graz International Bilingual School
Viktor Vojnoski	National Team	BRG 1 Schottenbastei
Mihail Zahariev	National Team	Sir Karl Popper Schule
Felix Fintl	First Reserve National Team, Development Team	Graz International Bilingual School
Melina Jakomin	Development Team	BRG 18 Schopenhauerstraße
Yoto Krastev	Development Team	Theresianische Akademie
Felix Piletta-Toniot	Development Team	Albertus Magnus Gymnasium
Violetta Sebastyen	Development Team	Sir Karl Popper Schule
Clemens Bervoets	Reserve Development Team	Theresianische Akademie
Nils Maletz	Reserve Development Team	Graz International Bilingual School
Marina Kojić	Head Coach National Team	Debattierklub Wien
Anna Neuber	Team Manager	Debattierklub Wien
Samuel Gall	Head Coach Development Team	Debattierklub Wien
Ljiljana Kojić	Assistant Coach

Team Austria 2023/24

Member	School
Larissa Arthofer (Captain)	BRG 19 Krottenbachstraße
Moriah Joyce De Vera	Vienna Business School 21
Sophie Drescher	Maygasse Business Academy 13
Sofia Schuppler	Graz International Bilingual School
Valentina Stock	Graz International Bilingual School
Laura Crnković (First Reserve)	Vienna Business School 21
Viktor Vojnoski (Development Team)	BRG 1 Schottenbastei
Marina Kojić (Head Coach)	Debattierklub Wien
Anna Neuber (Team Manager)	Debattierklub Wien

Achievements

Tournament	Result
Nordic Schools Debating Championship 2024	Novice Champion
Cracow Schools Cup 2024	Vice Champions
Worlds Schools Debating Championship	37th Ranking Team