Video: QUAFL 2015 Grand Final

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MourZt-u3kY[/embed]

QuidCamp 2016

Coming up this February, QuidCamp is the Australian Quidditch Association’s annual quidditch camp where knowledge and strategy are shared, referees are tested and friendships renewed. QuidCamp consists of seminars and workshops run by our most experienced players, a one-day "fantasy" tournament to apply and practice new-found knowledge, a social function, sleepover and the usual quidkid craziness.This year, we are also proud to announce that QuidCamp will play host to the first ever “State of Origin” game between New South Wales and Victoria. Quidditch Camp has become the kickoff event to start the quidditch season for the year. It brings together new and experienced players to share skills and engage in the various social festivities.QuidCamp 2016 will be held at Berry Sport and Recreation Centre, a facility on the south coast of NSW, from the 5th to the 7th of February. Located on 62 hectares of rural farmland at the edge of the township of Berry, the Berry Sport and Recreation Centre boasts unique natural surroundings and award-winning facilities. Just 2 hours south of Sydney, the Centre offers on-site accommodation, catering, ample facilities for seminars, games and socialising.This will mark the Wollongong Warriors' third successful QuidCamp bid in a row, who will host the event in conjunction with the Australian Quidditch Association, the Shoalhaven Superheroes and Shoalhaven Council.WORKSHOPS & SEMINARSCurrently, we are looking to run a variety of workshops including:• The standard position-based seminars• Refereeing• Fitness and Training Techniques• Tackling• Coaching• Club & Team Management• Fundraising and Money Management• Building Community LinksWe have also secured interest from potential workshop leaders such as James Mortenson (ANU), Huw Tomlinson (Wollongong Warriors), Alise Thomas (USC), Hannah Monty (UWS), Gen Gibson (Blackburn Basilisks), David Arakie (Shoalhaven Superheroes), and representatives from UOW’s Physical and Health Education Department.However, we are still looking for workshop leaders for Beating, Keeping, Seeking, Snitching, and Fundraising. If you think you would be suitable for any of these positions, would like to suggest someone for the role or would like to suggest a potential workshop – please email president.wwqc@gmail.comFacebook event - https://www.facebook.com/events/426422027554869/Registration form is here: https://morganlegg11.typeform.com/to/WQQItGRegistration closes on the 22nd January

QUAFL 2015

Written and edited by K. Grace.

It has been a big year for quidditch in Victoria, with a new team joining our ranks, some old faces switching sides, and some new ones giving us pause to stop and take notice. As the end of the year approaches so does the event we're most excited for as The VQA steps up to the plate with the Monash Muggles to play host to the national championships, Quafl 2015, for the very first time right here in Melbourne. We speak to our teams to see where they're at as they prepare for Quafl, some of which for the very first time.Wrackspurts QC - L. McCoppinThe Wrackspurts have had quite the season, going from strength to strength and fighting relentlessly in a trying semi final. Will we be seeing a stronger side from you at Quafl this year, being that it's in Melbourne, and what are your hopes for the team?The Wrackspurts have improved dramatically since last Quafl, and will be fielding a full squad of 21 this year. Our team would expect no less but to make the final 12, finishing either 2nd or 3rd in pool play and would be looking to make it to the final 4. From there, with a squad of 21, who knows what could happen? Our strengths are definitely our longevity and able to make big hits and goal saving tackles again and again, however our depth of females across the board, although has improved markedly over the year, is still probably a step behind the best teams. Unlike last Quafl however, the Wrackspurts now have an A class seeker in N. Kemister, so those matches we lost last year in snitch range might now go our way.You'll be facing two as yet unknown forces in pool play, QUT, and Adelaide. What will you be planning for upon facing these teams, and how do the Wrackpurts fare against the unexpected?Obviously the Wrackspurts will prepare and play against QUT and Adelaide how we do against every team; that is with respect and as hard as we can. Many of the Wrackspurts only know one gear, and that is giving 100% for every game. If any opposition take the Wrackspurts lightly this tournament, some big upsets could come about.South Melbourne Centaurs - M. BrahamIt is no doubt the Centaurs have improved tenfold from the team we saw debut in Easton Shield last year. You've beaten the Unicorns more than once and in tournament play even won against the Wrackspurts, quite the feat for the team. What are your expectations going into your first Quafl?We've definitely improved since we started over a year ago but we still feel we've yet to prove ourselves even in Victoria, let alone Australia. Beating one of the Victorian Big 4 in the Wrackspurts during this years Melbourne MudBash was a highlight; but we found that the scrappy style of ground level play found at MudBash suited us a lot more. Given that Quafl will be played in Summer in a much drier, hotter climate there will be challenges that any of our team have not yet faced. We'll be going in to Quafl with one of the smallest teams. We'll be missing Turner to injury, Brookes and Dyall to the Perth Phoenixes, but we have known this for a long time and we've proven that playing tournaments with low numbers does not phase us. In terms of the tournament results, we're hoping to get out of pool play as a minimum but will obviously be aiming to get as far as we can and challenge some of the top Australian teams.You've played at Quafl before, assisting the Wrackspurts side last year, and also seen interstate competition at Sydney All Stars. What knowledge have you passed onto your team in order to be competitive at a national level?Being lucky enough to have the ability to travel around Australia and play at some of the interstate tournaments has been fantastic for my knowledge of quidditch and how it is played differently around the country. Quafl 2014 was very interesting; not only was I able to learn about players from interstate but I was able to play with a different team and learn from them. I think what I've really taken back to my team is how useful communication and teamwork is. Watching the best teams play they are always loud on pitch, everyone knows their role and what they should be doing to give their team success on the pitch. I've tried to bring this to the Centaurs and I'm hoping it will help give us the edge over some of the other teams at Quafl.Monash Muggles - N. MortonThe Muggles have had quite the drop this season, going from winning Vic Cup and MudBash last year to finishing fourth on the Vic Cup 2015 ladder. Losing a few key players and having to train up new recruits must've been quite the adjustment. What are you expecting from your team going into Quafl?Losing players is never easy, but as a university team we do expect it. Our new team members have made huge strides though and the Victoria Cup was a big part of that. A lack of experience has hurt us in some games during Victoria Cup, but we've worked on our weaknesses and we're more able to hold out nerve. Our effort at Melbourne MudBash this year probably showed some our best form and I am expecting more like that at Quafl. We have a lot of scoring options and have trained together for much of the year so there's nothing stopping us from making a run deep into the finals.Being a Team Australia veteran and recently playing on the winning side at Sydney All Stars fantasy, what have you taken away from these experiences that you'll use to improve the Muggles' chances at Quafl?Playing for Team Australia last time was a fantastic experience and one I learned a lot from, especially as it was still my first year of playing. Using the space of the field and tackling players much bigger than I am took a lot of adjustment, as well as playing as a pure chaser and not as a ball carrier which I had done a lot of for the Muggles. Fantasy tournaments are a bit harder to learn from, but playing with so many people I had never met before meant that communication was big part of the weekend for me, and a big reason why we did so well I think.Blackburn Basilisks - T. RawsonThe Basilisks have had quite the interesting season, with several new additions, surviving each week with a minimal amount of players and still fighting through to the grand final. What do you think you've learned as a team this season, and how do you plan to carry that through to Quafl?I think the main thing we’ve learned as a team has come from what we’ve learned as individuals. As you said, we had many games where we had only 1 or 2 subs (and actually clocked up some wins with those smaller sides), and the line up changed almost every game. We had games where we had no Keepers or Beaters and had to slot people into positions they weren’t comfortable with. I think that’s been incredibly beneficial for players confidence and for the team – players are learning they’re capable of more than they expected and are pushing their boundaries. It also gives the team more diversity and allows us to still send up a capable side if people are away or injured.. Adding onto that we had a few people enter temporary retirement this year due to work commitments and injury, and 7 new players join us, we’ve really had a big shuffle around. It’s been an adjustment for sure, having everything shaken up, but I’ve really seen some of my players come into their own, and I’m so proud of them. I have no idea what to expect come Quafl, we have ANOTHER 2 new players starting with us, and have 3 of our key players away, so I think we’re just going to bring our ability to adapt and thrive under impossible conditions and do our best, the Basi-way!In pool play the Basilisks will be facing teams they've played before, with the only new team being USC. What are you expecting from the Queensland offering, and overall, who would you like to play against that you've yet to face before?I haven’t heard much about USC, except from what my housemate and VQA President has told me about what she’s seen. I think they’re coming down underrated – which is a huge benefit for them. I think they’re going to come at their first game all guns firing and nobody is going to expect what they have to offer.I’m super excited to see Adelaide play, and it would be so awesome to play them. Once again, nobody knows anything about them. I’m good friends with one of their players who helped get the team going, and she spent 6 months playing for Canada just after Global Games. I think she has some tricks up her sleeve that she brought back to Adelaide, and I think we’ll see a much more American style entering the field with them. I’d also love to play the new Wrackspurts line up, but there’s plenty of time for that next year! I think they’re going to be a force to be reckoned with.Melbourne Unicorns - E. HumphreyThe Unicorns will be going into their first Quafl with an undermanned side. What are your expectations for the team?Firstly, everyone knows the best things come in small packages. Secondly, We feel confident about the direction this team of young players is undertaking, and we are happy with the progress that our new players are making. We see being a smaller team as a benefit because it means we can work more cohesively as a unit and play off each others strengths. Obviously with less players we are at a disadvantage in terms of sub lines, but there is nothing we can do in that respect except 'just keep swimming'. All of us are here to play quidditch and have fun which is the most important thing.Your team has the slight advantage of having 2 players who've previously played a Quafl, albeit with another team. Will we be seeing them at Quafl this year, and do you have anything different planned from the Unicorns usual playing style in lieu of the absence of your regulars?Our first plan is to go in with brooms blazing! Our other plans are more classified. Having fewer experienced Quafl players means that we are open to trying out many new ideas which we are keen to put into practice. With new direction and players taking on more leadership roles this year, we like to think we're working stronger than ever as a team, and working hard to utilize every player to their maximum potential.La Trobe Trolls - R. AtkinsonLa Trobe have become quite the team since their debut this year, learning to play together and becoming quite the formidable side. What are your hopes and expectations for the team going into your first Quafl?La Trolls experienced their first tournament at Melbourne MudBash earlier this year. What did you take away from that experience, and has that impacted how you've played since and how you'll play at Quafl? The Trolls MudBash Crew by far and away had a massive benefit from playing in the tournament; we learned so much about what we as a team are capable of, what we as people are capable of, and most importantly what we as friends are capable of. We're hoping that using the endurance we built up at MudBash (and throughout the rest of the year, of course), we'll be able to handle Quafl and everything that comes with it!La Trolls experienced their first tournament at Melbourne MudBash earlier this year. What did you take away from that experience, and has that impacted how you've played since and how you'll play at Quafl?The Trolls MudBash Crew by far and away had a massive benefit from playing in the tournament, we learnt so much about what we as a team are capable of, what we as people are capable of, and most importantly what we as friends are capable of. We're hoping that using the endurance we built up at Mudbash (and throughout the rest of the year, of course), we'll be able to handle Quafl and everything that comes with it!Melbourne Manticores - J. WilliamsThe Manticores have had a stellar season, coming off a win at Quafl 2014 and going undefeated through Vic Cup 2015 to have a runaway victory in the grand final. Will the Manticores be relying on their strength of a side we've seen this year, or will there be any surprises in store for Quafl?There won't be any nasty surprises at Quafl from us; we've kept pretty much the same roster year round and we'll be going into the national tournament with minimal changes to that list. There will be one new addition to the roster however, so it'll be interesting to see how this newbie goes and if they'll work with the rest of the team.You've competed at the August Triwizard tournament in NSW, and more recently at Sydney All Stars Fantasy Tournament. What have you learned playing with (and against) players from interstate, and how will you use this to the Manticores' advantage come Quafl?The Manticores play best when we concentrate on our own game so I think we'll go into the tournament trying to finetune and perfect our cohesiveness and teamwork. We tend not to get caught up on how to combat other teams' playing styles and focus more on our own game and how we can do better, which we then make minor adaptations to depending on how things are going in each game.Quafl 2015 will be played 5-6 December at Monash University Clayton, with nineteen teams from five states (and one territory).

Call For Nominations

It's election season again. The Australian Quidditch Association is making a call for nominations for its board of directors. The term of appointment is two years. Collectively the seven directors are responsible for the good governance of the AQA - establishing policy, maintaining the association's finances and other duties necessary for running quidditch in Australia. After their election the directors of the board will then be able to delegate amongst themselves specific portfolios. Current examples of portfolios include 'Media & Marketing', 'Treasury' and 'Gameplay' although this will be at the discretion of the newly elected board. Nominations must be;

• in writing,
• certified by the nominee,
• signed by representatives of two Member Clubs and/or States.

 Please disclose any position in a State or Club you hold as either an officer or a paid employee. Nomination form - http://www.quidditch.org.au/?p=676 Nominations can be emailed to luke.nickholds@quidditch.org.au or secretary@quidditch.org.au, please have your nominations in no later than the 30th October 2015.

Quidditch at UniBattle 2015

This year quidditch will be a part of the Australian University Sports UniGames, UniBattle 2015. The Australian Quidditch Association, headed by Eva Alexandra and Hannah Monty have been working with the Australian University Sports to create the facilities for quidditch to be played at UniBattle for the first time ever, a huge step forward in establishing quidditch into the mainstream sporting community.

Joining the ranks of floorball, dodgeball, 3x3 basketball, 3x3 wheelchair basketball and social 7s softball, quidditch will feature in this 3 day tournament for a series of friendly matches.

Commencing from the 15th-17th of May on the Gold Coast, any university quidditch team is applicable to send a team of between 10 and 21 players with applications closing on the 30th of April. Registration fees are $125 (+$5 transaction fee). Teams can register here: https://2015unibattle.fusesport.com/registration/311/web/ or talk to their university sports teams representatives.

 For live streaming coverage of the tournament, check out the video below during the 15th and 17th of May.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHKs9xCjwm0[/embed]

QUAFL 2015 Location

This year, the AQA received more bids than we ever had and while we were happy that more teams and organizations were stepping up and willing to host our championships, it meant decision making was going to be a lot harder.But without further ado, the AQA is pleased to announce the QUAFL 2015 will be hosted by the Monash Muggles and the Victorian Quidditch Association at Monash University's Clayton Campus. QUAFL 2015 will be held on the weekend of the 5th of December.The organizing team will comprise of Eva Alexandra as tournament director with Nicola Gertler and Emma Morris as Assistant Tournament Directors to aid in organizing on the ground logistics. Members of the community that the team feel appropriate to aid in the organization of QUAFL 2015 will be personally contacted in the following weeks.See you in Melbourne!

New Directors Appointed

The Board is proud to announce the appointment of two new director; Maria Wizbicki from the Macquarie Marauders and James Mortenson of the Newcastle Fireballs. Maria is no stranger to the board having been an executive in 2014. She will continue on her work with the AQA’s marketing portfolio. James, as a certified head referee and a training coordinator for the IRDP has proposed a new referee training initiative. I’m sure we are all looking forward to see what these two can bring this year.On a second note, the staff position of Director of Membership Services has since been absorbed and the responsibilities will be undertaken by Hannah Monty as Vice President and Emma Morris as Treasurer, effective immediately. We would like to thank Luke Derrick for his time and contribution in his role as Director of Membership Services during a year of many changes.

Mid Year Membership

To cater for the influx of new players following O day events in semester 1, the Board of Directors have devised an additional membership rate for individuals who would like to play for an official team. This rate will run from the month of February through to the 30^th of June and will include insurance and other membership perks.

Half Year Membership: $30pp

Teams who have new players they would like to add to their rosters for upcoming events, please get your team representatives to get in contact with the executives.

AQA Plans 2015

As 2014 draws to a close, the AQA are pleased to announce just a few exciting plans for the coming year.

1. Appointed Director

Following the casual vacancy left during the recent AGM, the current Board of Directors have decided that the best course in filling the aforementioned casual vacancy would be to appoint a director as opposed to electing one. Luke Nickholds will be posting up a separate call out soon so keep a lookout for that if you’re interestedin joining the board. 

2. AQA Expansion Grant

Now that the AQA are more financially secure, we have decided to make grants available to all quidditch teams and state associations in Australia. We have set aside a total of $1000. This grant is not limited to official member teams. The AQA are of the opinion that teams who are not yet established and currently unofficial should be given the opportunity to apply for this grant as they are in need of more help than established teams. Teams who are interested in a share of this grant should apply to admin@quidditch.org.au with why they are in need of thegrant, how they would be using this grant to aid in expansion and a total amount required. Once approved, teams will also be required to show proof of purchases when using the grant money for expansion purposes. Applications open now and the due date for applications is the 13^th of February 2016. After this, the AQA will continue to accept and consider any further grant applications as they are submitted. Please be aware that the grant budget is a total figure and not a per application limit. 

3. QUAFL 2015

 With QUAFL next year, we would like to give the organizing committee more time to get sorted and teams that need to travel more time to save up and make travel plans. As such, the QUAFL bid package will be released on the 5^th of January 2015 and will close on the 16^th of February 2015. The location for QUAFL 2015 will be announced on the 23^rd of February 2015. 

4. Policies

 Hannah has prepared a few policies for the AQA to coincide with the requirements of the Australian Sports Commissions to be formally recognized as a nationally sporting organization. These policies cover matters such as anti-doping, elections, governance and member protection. They are currently still being read and approved by the board and will be released to team representatives in the coming week. 

5. Events Calendar

 An events calendar has been tried before but we will be organizing another one this year. This project will be headed by Arfy Papadam and will include important due dates as well as upcoming events. Team Representatives should email arfy.papadam@quidditch.org.au if they have an event they would like to be added to the calendar. This calendar will be available on our website at www.quidditch.org.au

QUAFL 2014 RESULTS

Last weekend saw Australia’s national quidditch champion crowned for the 4^th time at QUAFL 2014, held at Macquarie University in Sydney, NSW.13 teams competed in 42 games over two days, through hot and wet weather and late into the night for the first time in Australian quidditch history. After endless drama, on and off field, the champion was decided in the midst of a torrential late evening rainstorm. The top seeds and favourites UNSW reached the final undefeated, where they faced up to the spectacular form of the powerful and experienced Melbourne Manticores.An impenetrable defensive and counter-attacking performance from the Manticores saw them take an emphatic 110-40 victory and join UNSW and the Perth Phoenixes as Australian quidditch champions.Further reflections on different games and aspects of the tournament will be forthcoming throughout the holidays, as the fallout from a magnificent and dramatic tournament is digested and analysed. Here are the full results from the weekend: 

POOL A

Monash Muggles	90*	vs	40	Blackburn Basilisks
Australian National Nargles	130*	vs	10	Wollongong Warriors
UNSW Snapes On A Plane	90*	vs	10	Monash Muggles
Blackburn Basilisks	100^ (60*)	vs	60 (60)	Australian National Nargles
UTS Opaleyes	120*	vs	20	Wollongong Warriors
UNSW Snapes On A Plane	100*	vs	40	Blackburn Basilisks
Australian National Nargles	140*	vs	70	UTS Opaleyes
Monash Muggles	190*	vs	10	Wollongong Warriors
UNSW Snapes On A Plane	110*	vs	30	UTS Opaleyes
Monash Muggles	150*	vs	80	Australian National Nargles
Blackburn Basilisks	110*	vs	10	UTS Opaleyes
UNSW Snapes On A Plane	150*	vs	0	Wollongong Warriors
Monash Muggles	120*	vs	10	UTS Opaleyes
Blackburn Basilisks	200*	vs	0	Wollongong Warriors
UNSW Snapes On A Plane	60	vs	40*	Australian National Nargles

Pool A Standings

Pos	Team	P	W	L	OTL	+	-	Diff	Snitch	POINTS
1	UNSW Snapes On A Plane	5	5	0	0	510	120	+360	4	15
2	Monash Muggles	5	4	1	0	560	230	+270	4	12
3	Blackburn Basilisks	5	3	2	0	490	260	+150	4/6	9
4	Australian National Nargles	5	2	3	1	450	390	+60	3/6	7
5	UTS Opaleyes	5	1	4	0	240	500	-260	1	3
6	Wollongong Warriors	5	0	5	0	40	790	-580	0	0

POOL B

Perth Phoenixes	100*	vs	50	Wrackspurts QC
University of Sydney Unspeakables	80*	vs	60	Melbourne Manticores
University of Western Sydney	120*	vs	30	Macquarie Marauders
Newcastle Fireballs	120*	vs	20	Wrackspurts QC
Perth Phoenixes	80*	vs	60	University of Sydney Unspeakables
Melbourne Manticores	110*	vs	30	Macquarie Marauders
University of Western Sydney	70^ (30*)	vs	50 (30)	Newcastle Fireballs
University of Sydney Unspeakables	140*	vs	10	Wrackspurts QC
Melbourne Manticores	130*	vs	30	Perth Phoenixes
Macquarie Marauders	70*	vs	20	Newcastle Fireballs
University of Sydney Unspeakables	100*	vs	50	University of Western Sydney
Melbourne Manticores	150*	vs	30	Wrackspurts QC
Perth Phoenixes	60*	vs	40	Newcastle Fireballs
University of Sydney Unspeakables	130*	vs	40	Macquarie Marauders
University of Western Sydney	120*	vs	50	Wrackspurts QC
Melbourne Manticores	200^ (110)	vs	120 (110*)	Newcastle Fireballs
University of Western Sydney	110*	vs	70	Perth Phoenixes
Macquarie Marauders	60*	vs	20	Wrackspurts QC
University of Sydney Unspeakables	90*	vs	60	Newcastle Fireballs
Melbourne Manticores	90*	vs	60	University of Western Sydney
Perth Phoenixes	40*	vs	10	Macquarie Marauders

Pool B Standings

Pos	Team	P	W	L	OTL	+	-	Diff	Snitch	POINTS
1	Melbourne Manticores	6	5	1	0	740	350	+390	5/7	15
2	University of Sydney Unspeakables	6	5	1	0	600	300	+290	5	15
3	University of Western Sydney	6	4	2	0	530	390	+140	5/7	12
4	Perth Phoenixes	6	4	2	0	380	400	-20	4	12
5	Macquarie Marauders	6	2	4	0	240	440	-200	2	6
6	Newcastle Fireballs	6	1	5	2	410	510	-100	2/8	5
7	Wrackspurts QC	6	0	6	0	180	690	-500	0	0

QUARTER FINALS

UNSW Snapes On A Plane	120 (forfeit)	vs	0	Perth Phoenixes
Blackburn Basilisks	150*	vs	130	University of Sydney Unspeakables
Monash Muggles	90*	vs	30	University of Western Sydney
Melbourne Manticores	110*	vs	30	Australian National Nargles

SEMI FINALS

UNSW Snapes On A Plane	100*	vs	0	Blackburn Basilisks
Melbourne Manticores	140*	vs	10	Monash Muggles

FINAL

Melbourne Manticores

110*

vs

40

UNSW Snapes On A Plane