The Fulford League came into existence in 1948 at the suggestion of the widow of Senator George Fulford who had passed away not long before.  He was a distinguished legal mind and public servant before being appointed to the Senate.  Mrs. Fulford approached the four schools of what was then called the Little Big Four plus the University of Toronto Schools with the idea that they might like to perpetuate the memory of her late husband by creating a league dedicated to the noble art of debate.  The watchwords of his life apparently had been "Deliberation not Contention" and these were inscribed on the base of the rather nondescript wooden trophy that was created.
A series of individual one-on-one debates took place between these schools during each of the next twenty-five years or so.  The L.B.F. schools for those not familiar with this term comprised Ridley College, St. Andrew's College, Trinity College School and Upper Canada College. Each year a victor was declared who had the honour of holding onto the battered old trophy.  Gradually the name Fulford became identified with the best traditions of speech and debate.  Even when few people were able to remember the details of the life of the late Senator, his name was wonderfully preserved in this way.
In the late 70's two additional schools petitioned the league to be included, these being Appleby College and Lakefield College School.  Throughout this period the single most influential sponsor of debating activities was Tom. W. Lawson of T.C.S. During a year's leave of absence from teaching Tom travelled the length and breadth of Canada drumming up interest in debating and founding what became the Canadian Student Debating Federation which would once a year draw young people together from every province and territory for a week of activities and discussion of a significant issue facing our country.  The C.S.D.F. continues to this day coordinating debating and speaking activities across the country for young people in all school systems, public and parochial as well as independent.
In 1980 Rupert Ray of St. Andrew's College was elected to be the first official president of the Fulford League.  During the subsequent three years the league experienced a quantum growth, first from seven to twelve, and then from twelve to seventeen.  In this period it was decided that the awarding of the trophy would be based upon the results at three tournaments each year at which all schools except the host school on that occasion would participate.
This system of organization was much more fair while being highly competitive. Member schools came to regard this as the highlight of their debating season and the right to go to the Fulford was a signal honour for the very best debaters in each school. During this period it was also felt desirable that there should be a second tier of debate whereby novice debaters could gain valuable experience.  Just at this time we were saddened by the sudden death of Brian Jones of Lakefield who had shown himself to be a true friend of debate in the tradition of Senator Fulford.  Consequently a silver trophy was crafted in Brian's name to be competed for by debaters in the junior and intermediate levels.  Happily the standard of debate improved with each passing year.
It should be noted that the decision to expand brought into the league a number of independent schools for girls and in the intervening years some of the very schools which were once bastions of male privilege have decided to admit girls. Happily debate and speech events have become the one truly coeducational activity which draws all of our independent schools together.
For the record the schools which joined the league were, in the first expansion, Branksome Hall, Havergal College, St. Clement's School, St. George's College, and St. Mildred's-Lightbourn School.  The second expansion brought Bishop Strachan School, Pickering College, St. John's Kilmarnock School, Trafalgar Castle School and the Toronto French School.  Membership remained fairly constant throughout the 1980's.  During the Presidency of John Aimers it became necessary for Pickering College to withdraw from regular league membership and their place was taken by Grenville Christian College in Brockville.  The next person to serve as chair of the league was Keith Fleming of Upper Canada College.
During the presidency of Jean Jones of T.F.S. (now, of St. Clement's School) the league grew again to include the Country Day School in King City and St. Michael's College School of Toronto. St. John's Kilmarnock and St. Michael's College have withdraqwn from the league, but recent additions include Crescent school, McLaughlin College, and De La Salle College.  In addition at present, additional schools such as Holy Trinity School and Bayview Glen are eagerly looking toward an opportunity to become full members.
Subsequent presidents of the league during this decade have included Aija Zommers of Branksome Hall, Paul O'Rourke of Ridley College, Gayle Hamilton of Grenville Christian College, and presently Manal Stamboulie of Lakefield College School.
Although the original mandate of the Fulford League has resulted in a membership confined to independent schools, it should be noted that all the Fulford schools are fully involved in activities sponsored by the Ontario Student Debating Union meaning that debate is alive and well across our province.  Thousands of young people each year hear the name Fulford and continue through debate and deliberation to achieve understanding and tolerance and consensus.  Senator George Fulford would be very happy to see what has transpired in our schools during the past half century.

by Rupert Ray [Former Fulford League President]