by Andrea Hill | February 26th, 2012
Quidditch is coming to the U.K. this summer! Following the announcement of the U.K. games in the State of the League Address, the IQA has been busy making initial contacts, recruiting supporters, and developing plans. Here are some details regarding what players and fans might be able to expect.
The IQA has successfully connected with two groups in London that are interested in collaborating with the IQA on organizing two events, one in the U.K. leading up to the Olympics, and one in London during the Olympics. Both of these discussions are still pending, so details will not be released yet. If both events will take place, the first event will be a local preview to build buzz for the second, larger event to take place during the Olympics. The IQA is also applying for park space in London as a reserve location.
The primary goal of the U.K Summer Games is to raise global awareness about quidditch as a new, exciting sport by capitalizing on international media attention surrounding the 2012 Summer Olympics. The IQA has connected with teams in the U.K. and the QUK — a new association of quidditch teams in the U.K. area — and will be working with these groups to promote and organize the matches. The IQA has also selected the members of the first organizing team, and built up a list of members for general support.
The athletes playing in the games will be selected by the event organization committee. The players will be individually selected based upon quidditch experience and athleticism, and they will be wearing jerseys specially designed for the event incorporating their national colors. All teams will play using the best quidditch equipment available.
The organizing team has decided that it will be easier to raise funds for the U.S. team to travel after the players are selected, this way the athletes can be involved with fundraising: reaching out to their friends, peers, family, colleagues, alumni networks, etc. The players and teams will also have use of the IQA’s fundraising program to ensure that their team can travel to London for the summer games. Accommodations will be worked out with local teams, so that the bulk of fundraising will be dedicated to covering airfare, equipment, and field permits if necessary.
Calls for player nominations (including self-nominations) for Team U.S.A. will be announced shortly. Additionally, invitations are going out now to other European and international teams. International teams will primarily be responsible for their own fundraising, but will receive IQA assistance where possible.
The U.K. Summer Games Organizing team thus far comprises:
Team head: Karen Kumaki
Founder and former treasurer of the McGill University quidditch team, currently completing her master’s degree in London.
U.S. team coordinator: Luke Zak
IQA Midwest Regional Director, founder of the University of Minnesota team, and founder of one of the U.K.’s quidditch teams during his study abroad program in the U.K.
U.K. team coordinator: Robert Barringer
Assistant coach of the Keele University quidditch team and founder of the QUK networking group.
Team assistants:
Nathan Allcock
Laurie Beckoff
Tegan Bridge
Darci Miller
Christopher Rooney
Team advisors:
Andrea Hill, IQA International Director
Katherine Booth, IQA Advisor
Chaya Coppersmith, World Cup V site-volunteer
Leah Farrar, IQA PR & Editorial Director
Alex Benepe, IQA Commissioner
POSITIONS TO BE FILLED:
The IQA is still looking for people to organize a quidditch match in London, England right before the Olympics. Though many very exceptional and qualified people have already applied, the IQA is looking for more candidates who will be based in the U.K. for the next six months. Ideal candidates are university students or other individuals with the flexibility to perform some tasks during regular business hours.
The following positions remain open:
Public relations director
- Promote the event amongst mainstream media throughout the U.K.
- Promote the event through campus papers throughout the U.K.
- Work with local bloggers and fandom networks to promote the event.
- Inform local schools and community leagues about the event.
Field manager
- Work with city or other officials to book field space
- Oversee booking of sound systems
- Oversee painting of fields
- Oversee booking of chairs and tables
- Oversee field set up on the day of the event
Funding director
- Contact local companies and organizations to seek sponsorship
- Brainstorm creative ways to generate revenue prior to the event
Volunteer coordinator
- Oversee recruitment, training and scheduling of referees and scorekeepers
- Oversee recruitment, training and scheduling of commentators
Interested individuals should send a cover letter and resume to andrea.hill@internationalquidditch.org by the end of the day on Thu.Mar. 1.
canto
February 26, 2012
7:11 pm
sa-weet
Laurie Beckoff
February 26, 2012
8:10 pm
I’m thrilled to be involved in this. Looking forward to working with you guys and making some serious Quidditch action happen in London this summer!
Claire Silberman
February 26, 2012
8:28 pm
Forwarded the link to my buddies in England. How exciting!
Christopher Frederick Vladimir Kostick
Captain, Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
February 26, 2012
9:16 pm
So is one whole team going to be selected to represent the US or is it a number of individuals from ALL OVER the US that will be chosen? That is unclear. I feel it is the latter but I just want to make sure.
Leah Summerville Farrar
February 26, 2012
10:06 pm
Great question: It will be a number of individuals from all over the USA. It is possible for more than one player to come from one team, but the members of Team USA will be selected from the individual players nominated.
The article has been edited to clarify that point.
Chris McCormick
Captain, The Denver Dementors; New Mexico State Director
February 27, 2012
12:18 am
I’ll be in London for a week this summer and I sure hope that one of these events is going on when I’m there! I can think of few better ways to spend a vacation than watching some Quidditch
Megan Shaw
February 27, 2012
5:10 am
Technically Rob isn’t the President of Keele Quidditch y’know guys. I am … I think I might have to apply for a position just to fix this mix up!!
Leah Summerville Farrar
February 27, 2012
1:12 pm
Hey Megan, let me know what the correct position is and I’ll fix it.
We would love to have you apply for a position!
Robert William Leonard Barringer
February 28, 2012
5:24 am
Hi Tegan, the correct position for me is Assistant Coach
Robert William Leonard Barringer
February 28, 2012
9:02 am
I meant Leah, not Tegan!
Connor
February 27, 2012
1:01 pm
As a snitch, I’d love to get involved with this somehow. I really want to try to go to this in any capacity really. Any way for me to do this?
Tegan Bridge
International Regional Director; Captain, University of Ottawa
February 27, 2012
5:43 pm
I am so excited to be a part of this.
It’s going to be fantastic.
Dávid Dános
February 28, 2012
12:59 pm
When the dates are published, I would love to see if I could make it from Budapest, but do you know about volunteering opportunities and how to get involved?
Samantha Longland
March 3, 2012
8:55 pm
Wish I could help!!
DAMN 6thFORM!!
Phil Rydin-Orwin
June 22, 2012
5:20 pm
Hi,
We are in the SW UK, in Devon, we did our first Quidditch with juniors at our school and we have another session next week. When will the dates be announced and we could get a rookie team for the event – do you have enough teams. We could also volunteer for the event. We are committed to the sport and we are a pretty eccentric village and we want to get a SW regional team going. Phil Rydin-Orwin.
Tess
August 2, 2012
2:45 pm
Hi I also live in the South West and I was wondering if you had any Quiditch teams for 17s and over? Because I would love to join the team if there is one