The backbone of NFL student membership is participating in interscholastic tournaments throughout the school year. Schools are encouraged to compete in the NFL District Tournament for a chance to qualify to the National Tournament.
Here are some helpful websites that may offer insight as to availability of local tournaments throughout the school year:
- Joy of Tournaments - registration website, listing tournaments by date or by state
- SpeechWire - registration website with listing of tournaments (click "Calendar")
- ForensicsTournament.net - registration website with listing of tournaments (click "Tournaments" and then "High School")
- Tabroom.com - registration website with listing of tournaments
- Links to State Associations - many state associations/leagues sponsor local tournaments throughout the year as well as their own state tournament series.
- Middle Level Leagues/Organizations Tournaments specifically sponsored for students in grades 6-8 are available in a directory from the National Junior Forensic League (NJFL).
Each NFL chapter belongs to one of 108 districts, governed by an elected chair and committee who also runs the district qualifying tournament to determine which students attend the National Tournament. Information is available in the menu to the left.
Eleven main speech and debate events, five supplemental and two consolation events produce national champions at the end of an action-packed week of competition. Winning students are rewarded with outstanding trophies and more than $200,000 in college scholarships. Information is available in the menu to the left.
The NJFL offers a Middle School National Tournament for students in grades 6, 7, or 8 in an NJFL chapter school who qualifies through participation in oral communication activities. This tournament is similar to, and held alongside the Lincoln Financial Group/NFL National Tournament.
