Quidditch in Australia

The Australian Quidditch Association was formed in 2011 and ran its first major tournament in December that year, known as QUAFL, the Australian Quidditch Championships. This was the first tournament of its kind to be played outside of North America, where the sport was founded in 2005.[1] Competitive quidditch is regularly played in the states of New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland, with smaller competitions played in Western Australia and South Australia. There are currently 25 quidditch clubs registered across the country.[2]

Organisations
Quidditch Australia
Logo of Quidditch Australia
AbbreviationQAI
Formation2011[3]
TypeNational sport organisation (NSO)
Legal statusNon-Profit Organisation
Location
Chairperson
Luke Derrick
Parent organization
International Quidditch Association
Websitewww.quidditch.org.au

Quidditch in Australia is governed by Quidditch Australia (formerly the Australian Quidditch Association),[4] a non-profit organisation founded in 2011. It is governed by a board of seven directors on a rotating 2-year term system.

Quidditch Australia is affiliated with the International Quidditch Association.[5] Australian quidditch adopts the IQA rulebook for official gameplay, with some minor exceptions.

Quidditch Australia manages the membership and insurance of all players in the country, in addition to managing the country's most prolific tournaments such as the QUAFL Australian Quidditch Championships and State Shield. Regular club seasons are managed by their respective state bodies: Quidditch NSW,[6] Victorian Quidditch Association,[7] Queensland Association of Quidditch,[8] South Australian Quidditch Association[4] and Western Australian Quidditch Association.[9]

History

Quidditch Australia [10] began in 2011 as a Facebook group intended to act as a network for quidditch teams and players within Australia to communicate with each other, become aware of local teams and resources, to set up matches, and to set up new teams.

The association is run by a board of 7 directors with further volunteer staff.[11]

National team
Main article: Australian national quidditch team

The Australian National Team, the "Drop Bears", competed at the 2012 Summer Games and the 2014 Global Games, coming third [12] and second [13] respectively. In the biggest upset in the history of international quidditch, the Dropbears defeated the United States 150*–130 to win the 2016 World Cup in Germany.[10] Despite being tipped to win the cup again in 2018,[14] the Australian National Team competed in Italy finishing 5th, defeated by the United States in the early stages of the semi finals.

CompetitionPosition
2012 Summer Games3rd of 5[12]
2014 Global Games2nd of 7[13]
2016 World Cup1st of 21[10]
2018 World Cup5th of 29[15]

Competitions

Australian Quidditch Championships (QUAFL)

The biggest Australian quidditch tournament [16] held annually in November/December, crowning the Australian national club champion for that year. The first official name for the tournament was the Oceania Regional Championships, but was more affectionately known as "QUAFL"[17] or "QUAFL Cup", given the reverse acronym "Quidditch United Australian Federated League" in jest. The tournament was later renamed to the Australian Quidditch Championships, but is often still referred to as QUAFL.

The inaugural tournament was held in 2011 at the University of New South Wales, starting with just 5 teams. Clubs from across the country bid to host the tournament every year, and the tournament was hosted by Sydney-based clubs until 2015 when it was hosted by Melbourne's Monash Muggles. In 2016 and 2017, the tournament saw a move to the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, and was hosted in Queensland for the first time in 2018. The 2019 tournament is to be held at Kayess Park, Minto. The tournament hosted a record high of 25 teams in 2017.

The structure of the tournament traditionally changes each year depending on the number of registered teams and choices of organisers. More recently, teams have been randomly split into pools based on their respective end of season state rankings, with top teams from each pool progressing to elimination bracket play.

Australian Quidditch Championship results:

YearNo. of teamsLocationNational ChampionRunner-upGrand Final score
20115 University of New South Wales, Kensington NSWUniversity of New South Wales Snapes on a Plane (NSW)University of Western Sydney Thestrals (NSW)90-60*
201210 Macquarie University, Macquarie Park NSWUniversity of New South Wales Snapes on a Plane (NSW)Newcastle Fireballs (NSW)80*-30
201312 University of Western Sydney, Parramatta NSWPerth Phoenixes (WA)Macquarie Marauders (NSW)110*-70
201413 Macquarie University, Macquarie Park NSWMelbourne Manticores (VIC)University of New South Wales Snapes on a Plane (NSW)110*-40
201519 Monash University, Clayton VICMelbourne Manticores (VIC)University of New South Wales Snapes on a Plane (NSW)100*-10
201623 Australian Institute of Sport, Bruce ACT [16]Wrackspurts QC (VIC)Western Sydney Spartans (NSW)120*-110
201725 Australian Institute of Sport, Bruce ACT [16] Whomping Willows (VIC)Wrackspurts QC (VIC)150*-100
201824 University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs QLD Melbourne Manticores (VIC)University of Sydney Unspeakables (NSW)120*-70
201920 Kayess Park, Minto NSW Monash Muggles (VIC)Melbourne Manticores (VIC)130*-120

State Seasons

Due to the geographical separation of teams in different states, the majority of regular quidditch play in Australia consists of state-based tournaments.

NSW Quidditch League (NQL)

Organised by Quidditch New South Wales, the NQL[18] is the year long state championship in Sydney and surrounding cities. Formerly known as a series of "Triwizard Tournaments" starting in 2011, state finals were introduced in 2014, and the Quidditch NSW state body and the NSW Quidditch League were formalised in 2015. The competition was split into 2 divisions in 2018, and currently contains 14 teams across Sydney, Wollongong, Newcastle and Canberra. [19]

YearDivision 1 WinnerDivision 1 Runner-UpDivision 2 WinnerDivision 2 Runner-Up
2014University of New South Wales Snapes on a Plane?
2015Western Sydney Spartans and University of New South Wales Snapes on a Plane†N/A
2016University of Sydney UnspeakablesUniversity of New South Wales Snapes on a Plane
2017 Sydney City SerpentsWestern Sydney Spartans
2018 University of Sydney UnspeakablesSydney City SerpentsUniversity of Sydney Unbreakables[20]Macarthur Weasleys
2019 Sydney City SerpentsUniversity of Sydney UnspeakablesUniversity of New South Wales Snapes on a PlaneUniversity of Technology Sydney Opaleyes

† Due to inclement weather and injuries, both teams agreed not to play the Grand Final and share the 2015 state title.

Victoria Cup

Organised by the Victorian Quidditch Association, the Victoria Cup is the year long state championship in Melbourne. The inaugural cup in 2014 was won by the Monash Muggles, and followed on from other local tournaments. [21]

State Shield

An annual tournament / series featuring state representative teams: NSW (Bluetongues and Bluebottles), VIC (Leadbeaters and Honeyeaters) and QLD (Thunderbirds). The current tournament format is played over one weekend, with a full round robin on Day 1, and a Best of 3 Grand Final and consolation matches on Day 2.

YearWinning Team
2016 Victorian Leadbeaters [4]
2017 Victorian Leadbeaters
2018 New South Wales Bluetongues [22]
2019 New South Wales Bluetongues

Midwinter Cup

The Midwinter cup is held annually in Newcastle featuring both teams from NSW and interstate. The 2014 winners were the UNSW Snapes on a Plane.[23] In 2015, the tournament was won by the hosts, the Newcastle Fireballs. In 2016, an Australian National University and University of the Sunshine Coast collaboration team, the ANUSC Dement-Owls defeated the Newcastle Fireballs in the grand final to claim the Midwinter cup. In 2017, the winners were the newly formed Sydney City Serpents.

YearWinning Team
2012Perth Phoenixes
2013University of Western Sydney Thestrals
2014University of New South Wales Snapes on a Plane
2015University of Newcastle (Australia) Fireballs
2016Australian National University and University of the Sunshine Coast ANUSC Dement-Owls
2017 Sydney City Serpents
2018 University of Sydney Unspeakables
2019 Sydney City Serpents

Melbourne Mudbash

The Melbourne Mudbash is held annually in the middle of the year in Melbourne. Local teams are joined by interstate teams and teams composed of mercenary players. In 2013, the Melbourne Manticores came out on top of the four local and two other teams competing, and in 2014 the Monash Muggles were the best of the six local and four other teams to compete.[24]

Fantasy Tournaments

Held outside of the regular seasons, various fantasy tournaments across the country include Valkyries Fantasy (November), Victorian Fantasy (February), Sunshine Coast Fantasy (April), Macarthur Fantasy[25] (January), and Pink Up Campbelltown Charity Tournament[18] (October).

Australian Wheelchair Quidditch Championships (QWAFL)

Wheelchair quidditch was first introduced into regular quidditch tournaments in 2012, and ran at the same time and venue as the regular championships. Due to the logistical difficulties and lack of interest, the competition has not run since 2016.

YearWinnerRunner-UpGrand Final score
2012ANU NarglesJCU Galleons40* - 20
2013UWS ThestralsNewcastle Chariots of Fire220* - 10
2014UWS ThestralsPerth Phoenixes160* - 20
2015Western Sydney SpartansUTS Opaleyes120* - 50
2016Western Sydney SpartansUTS Opaleyes90 - 60 (snitch win)

Teams

There are several teams/clubs registered with Quidditch Australia across all states except Tasmania and Northern Territory.

NSW/ACT VIC QLD SA WA
Australian National University Owls [26] (formerly ANU Nargles) Basilisks Quidditch Club[27] Brisbane City Bin Chickens [28] Adelaide Augureys [29] - Hills Hippogriffs La Trobe University Trolls [28] † Griffith University Grindylows[30] † University of Adelaide Curtin Chimeras
Illawarra Unregistered Animagi† Melbourne Manticores[31] James Cook University Galleons[32]† Flinders Fantastic Beasts ECU Centaurs
Macarthur Weasleys[18] Melbourne Ravens[28] Queensland University of Technology Lycans [30] Glenelg Gargoyles Murdoch Mandrakes
Macquarie Marauders[33] Melbourne Unicorns Blue [34] University of Queensland Dumblebees [35] Perth Phoenixes[36] ††
Newcastle Fireballs[37] Melbourne Unicorns Orange University of the Sunshine Coast Dementors [38]
North Sydney Nightmares Monash University Muggles[39] University of the Sunshine Coast Nifflers [40]
South West Horntails† Monash University Mudbloods
Sydney City Serpents [25] South Melbourne Centaurs[28]
University of New South Wales Snapes on a Plane [41] Whomping Willows Quidditch Club [40]
University of Sydney Unspeakables[20] Wrackspurts Quidditch Club[42]†
University of Sydney Unbreakables[20]
University of Sydney Unforgivables[20]
University of Technology Sydney Opaleyes[43]
Valkyries Quidditch Club
Western Sydney Spartans†[44]
Wollongong Warriors (University of Wollongong)[45]

† Developing team, non-official, not currently competing or defunct

†† Due to the geographical isolation of Western Australia, teams from WA form together under the name Perth Phoenixes to travel to and compete at national tournaments.

See also

References
  1. "History". International Quidditch Association. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
  2. "Clubs". Quidditch Australia. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
  3. "Inter-State Tournament brings magic of Quidditch to Sandringham". Mirage News. 10 September 2019. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
  4. Brown, Simon Leo. "Quidditch state of origin sees Drop Bears team-mates face-off against each other in Melbourne". ABC News. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  5. "Get Involved". International Quidditch Association. Archived from the original on 5 September 2014.
  6. "Local Sports Associations/Clubs". Campbelltown City Council. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
  7. Webb, Carolyn. "Harry Potter's quidditch takes off in Melbourne". The Age. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
  8. Henry, Jacqueline. "Deagon duo is magic on the field". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
  9. Chan, Jade. "Burning passion for a magical game of Quidditch". The Star Online. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
  10. ABC News. "Australia's Dropbears win Quidditch World Cup, inspired by Harry Potter game". ABC News. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
  11. Quidditch Australia. "Board of Directors". Quidditch Australia. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  12. McGill Reporter Staff. "Students represent Canada at Quidditch Summer Games". The McGill Reporter. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  13. Marmer, Andy (20 July 2014). "Team USA Secure Gold in Shutout Against Australia". Retrieved 16 November 2014.
  14. Sam Langford. "Australia's About To Defend Its Title In The Quidditch World Cup, Because Who Needs FIFA?". Junkee. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
  15. Caccamo, Cameron. "Australia Places Fifth at Quidditch World Cup". Quidditch Australia. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  16. Wakwella, Ruwendi. "Canberra to host Australian Quidditch Championship for the second time". RiotACT. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  17. "Players Potter about on the quidditch field". Daily Mercury. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  18. Osborne, Kayla. "Macarthur quidditch team to host magical charity day". Campbelltown Macarthur Advertiser. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  19. "Announcing the NSW Cup!". Australian Quidditch Association. 26 September 2014. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
  20. "Our Clubs & Societies". University of Sydney Union. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  21. "Monash Muggles take the Victoria Cup". Victorian Quidditch Association. 4 June 2014. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
  22. Cronshaw, Damon. "Quidditch Australia's State Shield took place at Magic Park in Broadmeadow". Newcastle Herald. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  23. "Midwinter Cup 2014". Australian Quidditch Association. 28 July 2014. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
  24. "Melbourne Mudbash Quidditch Tournament coming to Clayton's Monash University". Waverley Leader. 9 August 2013. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
  25. "Macarthur Weasleys host a successful new quidditch tournament". Macarthur Advertiser. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  26. Groch, Sherryn. "We tried: playing Quidditch with the ANU Owls - and it was terrifying". Canberra Times. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  27. Jeynes, Bronnie. "Quidditch team triumph". Monash Student Associaton. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  28. Banister, Jack. "It's quidditch finals season, and the big men – and women – fly". The Citizen. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  29. Mattsson, Dianne. "Adelaide players bring Quidditch, the Harry Potter game for witches, down to Earth". The Advertiser. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  30. Simonot, Suzanne. "QPOW: Quidditch players go potty for Gold Coast". Gold Coast Bulletin. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  31. Rabe, Hannah. "A sweeping craze". Upstart Magazine. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  32. Clarke, Harry. "James Cook University students get a taste of uni life with the annual O-Week market day". Cairns Post. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  33. Carey, Alexis. "From Harry Potter to Sydney schools, Quidditch has become a real competitive sport". Inner West Courier. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  34. Jess Hast & Ayche Allouche. "Muggles Playing Quidditch". Farrago Magazine. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  35. Fahy, Ryan. "Quidditch season starts slowly for USC Dementors". Suncoast Times. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  36. Young, Emma. "Perth man picked for national Dropbears team in 2016 Quidditch World Cup". WAtoday. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  37. Cronshaw, Damon. "Harry Potter and quidditch - a game of wizards and witches". Newcastle Herald. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  38. "USC quidditch players eye off national squad places". Sunshine Coast Daily. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  39. Rabar, Julia. "Melbourne Mudbash Quidditch Tournament coming to Clayton's Monash University". Herald Sun. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  40. Champion, Gail. "USC to host national quidditch championship". My Sunshine Coast. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  41. Way, Shirley. "Aussies fly on their broomsticks to England for wizard games". Newsbytes. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  42. Naughtin, Paddy. "Australian Dropbears to soar in Quidditch World Cup". Herald Sun / Monash Leader. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  43. Gorrey, Megan. "Macarthur's Muggle Quidditch team for every Tom, Dick and Harry". Macarthur Advertiser. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  44. Drinkwater, Dale. "Fantasy becomes reality for local quidditch club". Western Weekender. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  45. Lennard, Kimberly. "Quidditch Warriors dodging foes on brooms". St George & Sutherland Shire Leader. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
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