Quidditch in Australia

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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
Australian Quidditch Association logo.png
Logo of Quidditch Australia
AbbreviationQAI
Formation2011[3]
TypeNational sport organisation (NSO)
Legal statusNon-Profit Organisation
Location
  • Australia
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.[citation needed]

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.

Competition Position
United Kingdom 2012 Summer Games 3rd of 5[12]
Canada 2014 Global Games 2nd of 7[13]
Germany 2016 World Cup 1st of 21[10]
Italy 2018 World Cup 5th of 29[15]
United States † TBD

† The 2020 World Cup was initially postponed to 2021 due to COVID-19,[16] and further postponed to 2023.[17]

Competitions[]

Australian Quidditch Championships (QUAFL)[]

The biggest Australian quidditch tournament [18] 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"[19] 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:

Year No. of teams Location National Champion Runner-up Grand Final score
2011 5 University of New South Wales, Kensington NSW University of New South Wales Snapes on a Plane (NSW) University of Western Sydney Thestrals (NSW) 90-60*
2012 10 Macquarie University, Macquarie Park NSW University of New South Wales Snapes on a Plane (NSW) Newcastle Fireballs (NSW) 80*-30
2013 12 University of Western Sydney, Parramatta NSW Perth Phoenixes (WA) Macquarie Marauders (NSW) 110*-70
2014 13 Macquarie University, Macquarie Park NSW Melbourne Manticores (VIC) University of New South Wales Snapes on a Plane (NSW) 110*-40
2015 19 Monash University, Clayton VIC Melbourne Manticores (VIC) University of New South Wales Snapes on a Plane (NSW) 100*-10
2016 23 Australian Institute of Sport, Bruce ACT[18] Wrackspurts QC (VIC) Western Sydney Spartans (NSW) 120*-110
2017 25 Australian Institute of Sport, Bruce ACT [18] Whomping Willows (VIC) Wrackspurts QC (VIC) 150*-100
2018 24 University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs QLD Melbourne Manticores (VIC) University of Sydney Unspeakables (NSW) 120*-70
2019 20 Kayess Park, Minto NSW Monash Muggles (VIC) Melbourne Manticores (VIC) 130*-120
2020† N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
2021 TBD La Trobe University, Melbourne VIC[20] TBD TBD TBD

† 2020 Championship cancelled due to the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic [21]

State Shield[]

An annual tournament / series featuring state representative teams: NSW (Bluetongues and Bluebottles), VIC (Leadbeaters and Honeyeaters) and QLD (Thunderbirds).

The event debuted in February 2016 as "Quidditch State of Origin", the first match between the New South Wales and Victoria representative teams. The match was part of Quid Camp in Berry, New South Wales, a two-day annual quidditch camp featuring seminars, workshops, entertainment and a kids match. [22] The series was played out across multiple dates, with the 2016 State of Origin final being held in October at the University of New South Wales. [23]

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. 2020 & 2021 events did not go ahead due to COVID-19.

Year Winning Team
2016 Victorian Leadbeaters [4]
2017 Victorian Leadbeaters
2018 New South Wales Bluetongues [24]
2019 New South Wales Bluetongues
2020 N/A †
2021 N/A †

† 2020 event was cancelled,[25] and a 2021 event was never scheduled, due to COVID-19.[26]

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[27] 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. [28]

Year Division 1 Winner Division 1 Runner-Up Division 2 Winner Division 2 Runner-Up
2014 University of New South Wales Snapes on a Plane ?
2015 Western Sydney Spartans and University of New South Wales Snapes on a Plane† N/A
2016 University of Sydney Unspeakables University of New South Wales Snapes on a Plane
2017 Sydney City Serpents Western Sydney Spartans
2018 University of Sydney Unspeakables Sydney City Serpents University of Sydney Unbreakables[29] Macarthur Weasleys
2019 Sydney City Serpents University of Sydney Unspeakables University of New South Wales Snapes on a Plane University 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. [30]

Other Tournaments[]

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.[31] 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.

Year Winning Team
2012 Perth Phoenixes
2013 University of Western Sydney Thestrals
2014 University of New South Wales Snapes on a Plane
2015 University of Newcastle (Australia) Fireballs
2016 Australian 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.[32]

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[33] (January), and Pink Up Campbelltown Charity Tournament[27] (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.

Year Winner Runner-Up Grand Final score
2012 ANU Nargles JCU Galleons 40* - 20
2013 UWS Thestrals Newcastle Chariots of Fire 220* - 10
2014 UWS Thestrals Perth Phoenixes 160* - 20
2015 Western Sydney Spartans UTS Opaleyes 120* - 50
2016 Western Sydney Spartans UTS Opaleyes 90 - 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 [34] (formerly ANU Nargles) Basilisks Quidditch Club[35] Brisbane City Bin Chickens [36] Adelaide Augureys [37] UWA Undesirables
Hills Hippogriffs La Trobe University Trolls [36] † Griffith University Grindylows[38] † University of Adelaide Curtin Chimeras
Illawarra Unregistered Animagi† Melbourne Manticores[39] James Cook University Galleons[40]† Flinders Fantastic Beasts ECU Centaurs
Macarthur Weasleys[27] Melbourne Ravens[36] Queensland University of Technology Lycans [38] Glenelg Gargoyles Murdoch Mandrakes
Macquarie Marauders[41] Melbourne Unicorns Blue [42] University of Queensland Dumblebees [43] Perth Phoenixes[44] ††
Newcastle Fireballs[45] Melbourne Unicorns Orange University of the Sunshine Coast Dementors [46]
North Sydney Nightmares Monash University Muggles[47] University of the Sunshine Coast Nifflers [48]
South West Horntails† Monash University Mudbloods
Sydney City Serpents [33] South Melbourne Centaurs[36]
University of New South Wales Snapes on a Plane [49] Whomping Willows Quidditch Club [48]
University of Sydney Unspeakables[29] Wrackspurts Quidditch Club[50]†
University of Sydney Unbreakables[29]
University of Sydney Unforgivables[29]
University of Technology Sydney Opaleyes[51]
Valkyries Quidditch Club
Western Sydney Spartans†[52]
Wollongong Warriors (University of Wollongong)[53]

† 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[]

  • Quidditch (sport)

References[]

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  2. ^ "Clubs". Quidditch Australia. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
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  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. ^ Jump up to: a b c 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. ^ Jump up to: a b McGill Reporter Staff. "Students represent Canada at Quidditch Summer Games". The McGill Reporter. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  13. ^ Jump up to: a b Marmer, Andy (20 July 2014). "Team USA Secure Gold in Shutout Against Australia". Retrieved 16 November 2014.
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  29. ^ Jump up to: a b c d "Our Clubs & Societies". University of Sydney Union. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  30. ^ "Monash Muggles take the Victoria Cup". Victorian Quidditch Association. 4 June 2014. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
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  32. ^ "Melbourne Mudbash Quidditch Tournament coming to Clayton's Monash University". Waverley Leader. 9 August 2013. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
  33. ^ Jump up to: a b "Macarthur Weasleys host a successful new quidditch tournament". Macarthur Advertiser. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
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  36. ^ Jump up to: a b c d Banister, Jack. "It's quidditch finals season, and the big men – and women – fly". The Citizen. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
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  40. ^ 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.
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External links[]

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