The “Better than the World Cup” Award
This award commemorates the most successful quidditch tournament run by a team or group of teams (not the IQA administration), based on funds, gameplay, and community integration.
Event: QUAFL
Date of event: November 26, 2011
Host teams: University of New South Wales (physically), Australian National University, University of Newcastle, University of Western Sydney, University of Wollongong
Nominating team: University of Newcastle
Number of volunteers that assisted in the organizing and running of the event: 15
Number of event participants: 5 teams, 60 players, 20 spectators.
Gross revenue: See voting email.
Net revenue: See voting email.
Why?: The first ever QUAFL tournament, held at UNSW, represented the first ever inter-varsity tournament held outside North America. As the first national tournament held in Australia, it saw five universities compete over one gruelling day for the QUAFL Cup. Teams braved pouring rain, freezing cold, glazing sun and stifling heat over the eight hour tournament, requiring teams to prove themselves in all conditions. UNSW’s team, “Snapes on a Plane”, took home the trophy, proving that raw skill and home ground advantage just cannot be beaten. ANU’s star chaser Rohana “Half Blood” Prince took home the coveted “Best Player” award, a decision that was unanimous amongst the officials.
Event: Shell-Shocking Spectacular
Date: April 22, 2012
Host team: University of Maryland
Nominating team: University of Maryland
Number of volunteers that assisted in the organizing and running of the event: 15 dedicated volunteers, 50 total volunteers.
Number of event participants: 12 teams, 180 players, 50 spectators.
Gross revenue: See voting email.
Net revenue: See voting email.
Why?: The event had been planned with details almost all arranged and many details announced since January, three months before the tournament. One element of the event that was extremely successful was the communication with teams. Teams were kept well informed of details of the tournaments, any changes that occurred, and questions were answered as promptly as possible. The host team initially hadn’t planned on providing housing for any teams, but once a few teams expressed interest and need for housing, arrangements were made to accommodate those who asked. The tournament organizers also showed flexibility when the entire tournament was threatened to be cancelled by massive rain storms. The event was moved to a new (indoor) location only three days before the tournament. Thus, despite the huge set-back of the rain, the tournament was still held, and was planned to every detail. Teams said that they had a lot of fun at the tournament, and the extensive planning ensured that the tournament was well run & went smoothly.
Did this event create awareness for the sport of quidditch?:
Many aspects of this tournament worked to promote quidditch and the ideals of the IQA. The tournament focused on the elements of a well-run tournament and focused to make sure all teams had all their needs met: water and bathrooms were readily available, a large volunteer staff was on hand to address any issues that may arise, an on-call staff of 3 EMTs as well as an ambulance stationed at the event location, and all details arranged ahead of time so any potential problems were fixed before they occurred. The tournament focused on clear planning (with a scoreboard and running standings available throughout the day), welcoming new teams, bonding between teams and players (including playing music to encourage inter-team dancing and a lighthearted atmosphere at the event), a high level of sportsmanship and an opportunity for high rate athleticism and competition, highly trained and competent referee staff, and more. The tournament was very deliberately organized to address team concerns and to promote the ideals of community within the sport.
The “Money is Might” Award
This award commemorates the most successful fundraiser for a quidditch team based on creativity, awareness, and funds raised.
Event: T-shirt sale
Date: One semester
Host team: Marquette University
Nominating team: Marquette University
Number of volunteers that assisted in the organizing and running of the event: 20 volunteers
Number of event participants: n/a
Gross revenue: See voting email.
Net revenue: n/a
Why?: The event was successful because a logo was carefully crafted to appeal to the masses. The old logo of the warrior that was famous at Marquette in the glory days of the championship basketball team in the 70s was merged with a version of the new mascot- the golden eagle. The warrior logo that pays tribute to the entire history of the schools mascots makes it good for old and new students. The t-shirts were sold with ‘quidditch’ on the back. While some people might want it on the front, the majority of people were in love with the logo and didn’t know the sport yet. So, for the first shirt it was put on the back in case someone wanted a jacket but just loved thelogo! Our next shirt is just a MARQUETTE QUIDDITCH shirt like all the other club sports on campus, but this sale appealed to the masses completely with our marketing and planning!
Event: Trading card sale
Date: World Cup V and Snow Cup
Host team: Utah Crimson Fliers
Nominating team: Silicon Valley Skrewts
Number of volunteers that assisted in the organizing and running of the event: 9+
Number of event participants: 360 packs sold with 9 cards each.
Gross revenue of event: n/a
Net revenue of event: n/a
Why?: The cards were very creative idea, and everyone agrees that they’re awesome. Everyone loves having trading cards of themselves. Plus, it encouraged inter-team interaction, because people getting randomized sets went to other teams to trade cards to get cards of their own players. Players loved looking at and discussing the cards. Cards have been sold at World Cup V, Snow Cup, and West Cup III.
