Catholic leagues across the country are affiliated with the National Catholic Forensic League (NCFL). The NCFL is essentially the religious-based version of the National Forensics League (it doesn’t teach religion, it is simply composed of a high number of Catholic schools and is geared toward them). The NCFL extends from the United States into Canada, includes both parochial and public schools, was formed in 1951, and has 65 active dioceses with chapters of the NCFL. Memorial Day weekend, the NCFL sponsors the Grand National Speech and Debate Tournament. It should be noted that the NCFL offers very similar events to the National Forensics League. It is the mission of the NCFL to support all high schools—be them public, private, or parochial—with the quest to offer speech and debate tournaments. The NCFL wishes to enhance the speaking and debate skills of students in ANY school, regardless if they belong to a diocese. In fact, the NCFL will offer assistance to schools which have no Diocese League in their area.