Banner Photo: Maddi Moulton Photography
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One of the newest teams in Australian Quidditch, the Melbourne Ravens have made a splash with a slick social media presence and a star-studded line-up from day one - but where did they come from, and what happened to the Wrackspurts? Cameron Caccamo asks their coaches, Deni Tasman and James Williams, to find out
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It is a dark day for Quidditch in Australia, as evidence has emerged showing ball tampering is rife across the entire sport. Not even the World Cup final in 2016 is free from controversy. It is alleged that across most tournaments in Australia, many available quaffles - a volleyball used to score points - and bludgers - the dodgeballs used by beaters to knock players out of play - were under-inflated. This has a distinct effect on how the ball is thrown and caught, giving the team ready for such circumstances a clear advantage.
It is still being determined just how deep this goes - with some in the community fearing that entire tournaments may have been played under these conditions.
This is now Australia's #deflategate, and many are calling for the leadership of Quidditch Australia to be sacked.
There is even evidence that under-inflated balls were used in the 2016 World Cup Grand Final. Quidditch experts say that a thrown bludger from star Team USA beater Max Havlin that missed Australia's Seeker Dameon Osborn seconds before the winning snitch catch may have hit if the ball was fully inflated - casting a shadow over the miraculous win.
Quidditch Australia President Luke Derrick gave a tearful press conference this morning.
“Firstly I’m deeply sorry. I love the game of Quidditch, I love entertaining young kids. I love kids wanting to play the great game of Quidditch that I love,” he said.
“Any time you think about making a questionable decision, think about who you’re affecting.
"But I just want to say I’m sorry for the pain I’ve brought to Australia and the fans and the public, it’s devastating and I’m truly sorry.”
However, Derrick will continue in his role as President of QA, saying "I won't be considering stepping down. I still think I'm the right person for the job."
The 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games has dropped a bombshell just three days before the event begins, with Quidditch added to the program as an Official Sport just so Australia can easily win another Gold Medal.
Read MoreFor our sport to grow, we need new players to feel welcome even in a competitive atmosphere. QA Today looks at Internal Leagues at the University of Sunshine Coast and the University of Sydney - is this the best way to bring new players in? With USQL's first games over the weekend, QA Today caught up with USyd to see how their newer players fared.
Read MoreThey may have only been pre-season friendlies, but for many teams there was a lot to prove at the first NQL of 2018. Cameron Caccamo reports on the big winners and up-and-comers to watch out for.
Read MoreSupport the Dropbears at the World Cup in 2018 by purchasing an amazing Dropbears jersey for yourself!
Read MoreQuidditch Australia is proud to announce the eight individuals who have been selected as reserves for Team Australia. These individuals will join the 21 Dropbears at all training camps and team events in the lead up to the 2018 IQA Quidditch World Cup in Florence this June. Coming from all across Australia, these athletes will train with and support the team, and are a crucial part of Team Australia and Australia’s World Cup campaign. The reserve squad includes individuals from New South Wales (4), South Australia (1), Victoria (2), and Western Australia (1). Two of the reserves have previously represented Australia at an international level and one was a reserve for the previous World Cup; the remaining five would be making their international debut should they be called upon to replace any Dropbear that is injured, ill, or otherwise unable to compete.The Reserves KeeperRajtilak KapoorChasersSamantha ChittendenJames HyderStella NaylorEdward Vienet BeatersAnthony HoganHarrison JonesIsobel Rennie Benjamin Kasehagen from Queensland was offered a place as a chaser reserve but was unable to accept.
Quidditch Australia is extremely proud and excited to announce the 21 individuals who have been selected to represent Australia at the 2018 IQA Quidditch World Cup. These athletes represent the best and brightest Australia has to offer and we wish them all the best in Florence.
Team Australia, known as the Dropbears, will be tasked with defending Australia’s title after they successfully defeated the USA in the Grand Final of the previous IQA World Cup in 2016, winning 150* - 130. The Dropbears consists of 21 athletes from 3 states, comprising 12 Victorians, 8 New South Welshmen, and 1 Queenslander. The team adheres to the IQA’s rules in terms of roster gender maximums.In total, 104 individuals applied to be on Team Australia, the successful individuals representing the culmination of months of selection. We are grateful to and thank our six selectors and coaching team for their roles in this decision.
Thirteen of the players were on the previous gold-medal winning team and will be looking to add another trophy to their cabinet, while the other 8 players will be making their international debut in Florence. Up to 8 reserves will also be a part of the Team Australia Squad, to be announced later. The Team Australia Squad will meet regularly between now and the tournament to train and work together to bring Australia's dream of back to back gold to life.
The Team
Keepers
Callum Mayling
Miles Newton
Beaters
Natalie Astalosh
Luke Derrick
Nathan Morton
Dean Rodhouse
Clementine Round
Deni Tasman
Chasers
Arlyta Andrew
Andrew Culf
Brandon Frison
Neil Kemister
Cassia Menkhorst
Emily Merry
Jonathon O’Brien
Dameon Osborn
James Osmond
Taya Rawson
Simon Spann
Nikita Van Kaathoven
James Williams
Photo Credit: Ajantha Abey Quidditch Photography, Courtney Buckley Photography, and Jackson Weaver Photography
Quidditch Australia is pleased to announce the election of the following individuals to the board of directors, having been successfully elected at the 2017 Annual General Meeting:Luke DerrickRhiannon GordonLee Shu Ying
The 2018 IQA World Cup will take place in Florence, Italy, between the 27th June and the 2nd July, 2018. The City of Florence, working in conjunction with the Human Company and the Italian Quidditch Association, was today announced by the IQA as the successful bid to host next year’s world cup. National quidditch teams from around the world, including the UK, Denmark, Malaysia, and the USA will fly to Italy for a chance to be crowned the international champions of the sport.Australia became the newest international quidditch champions in 2016 after beating two-time previous international champions, the USA, 150* - 130 in the grand final. Team Australia, aka the Dropbears, are keen to defend their title and will stop at nothing to claim back-to-back gold. With 32 nations planning to attend the tournament, Florence is expected to host the largest international tournament in quidditch history as an expected five hundred players come to the city to compete. Italy was chosen by the IQA as hosts from amongst highly competitive bids from the USA, the UK, France, Turkey, Australia, and Belgium. With a high-quality venue, great support from the City of Florence, and a detailed plan by the Human Company, it was the best choice for the tournament, the sport, and the community. The IQA will be collaborating closely with a variety of organisations to ensure the success of the tournament.As a center of history, culture, and art, Florence is all set to support both athletes and spectators, with the support of the City further aiding the attending nations. To coincide with the competition, the Cultural Department of the City of Florence will be organising lectures and special side events in the main historical libraries and other places of cultural interest in town, for all age groups. * denotes the team which caught the snitch, which is worth 30 points and ends the game
Quadball Australia and its activities are not licensed by, sponsored by, or associated with Warner Bros., J.K. Rowling, or their affiliates. ‘Quidditch,’ ‘Harry Potter’ and all related names, characters, and indicia are trademarks of and © Warner Bros. – Harry Potter publishing rights © J.K. Rowling. Quadball Australia also acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands on which we play, train, work, and live upon. We acknowledge their continued connection to country, waters, and culture, and we pay our respects to their elders past, present & emerging.
