State and QUAFL Tournament Committee Announcement

Quidditch Australia is pleased to announce the tournament directors for the 2018 season.

 

The Tournament Director for the 2018 State Shield will be Eleonora Leopardi, from Newcastle.

The Tournament Director for the 2018 Australian National Quidditch Championships (aka QUAFL) will be Alistair Yap, from the Sunshine Coast.

 

Congratulations to these two individuals. We know they will bring excellent experience, knowledge, and dedication to their roles and ensure both events are amazing experiences for all who attend.

Quidditch Australia is grateful for the wealth of knowledge and dedication to the sport within our community that encourages people to volunteer their time for the betterment of everyone.

State Shield Organising CommitteeAssistant TD - Regina AtkinsonLogistics Director - James HosfordMerchandise Coordinator - Cameron Jones

QUAFL Organising CommitteeAssistant TD - Jamie TurbetLogistics Director - Eleonora LeopardiMedia Coordinator - Regina Atkinson Merchandise Coordinator - Cameron Jones Volunteer Coordinator - Elle Crumpton

Newcastle to host State Shield 2018

By Cameron Caccamo, QA Media DirectorQuidditch Australia has today announced that the 2018 State Shield will be played in Newcastle over the weekend of October 13th and 14th. The games will take place at Wanderer’s Oval inside Magic Park, the home ground of Broadmeadow Magic Football Club. Newcastle Quidditch Club has successfully hosted the annual Midwinter Cup tournament for several years, most recently just this past weekend. With plenty of tournament management experience and a fantastic location, 2018's State Shield will be an event to remember. The State Shield is Quidditch Australia’s premiere tournament. Each year, the best players around the country gather to play for their state and for glory. Last year, the Victorian Leadbeaters emerged victorious in Brisbane, seeing off the NSW Bluetongues and the Queensland Thunderbirds. More details about the event, including which teams will feature this year, are to be announced shortly. The President of the Newcastle Quidditch Club, Eleonora Leopardi, is excited to see such high-level Quidditch come to Newcastle, saying that this tournament “will showcase the best of Quidditch to the students at the University and the local community.” 

“We are confident that with the assistance of Quidditch Australia, as well as the effective collaboration with Magic FC and the University of Newcastle, we will be able to provide a great tournament experience for teams and spectators”- Eleonora Leopardi, Newcastle Quidditch Club President

Leopardi also highlighted that the entire weekend will be a spectacle, as the Club will “focus on ensuring that everyone travelling to Newcastle for State Shield has a pleasant stay, before, during, and after the competition.” Quidditch Australia’s Events Director, Merryn Christian, was very happy to have secured an excellent location for this year’s State Shield Tournament; saying “Newcastle offers a chance to engage the local community with our sport and show off the highest level of competition we have to offer.” “After a successful inaugural year in Queensland, we are excited for what 2018 will bring as we continue to expand our sport across the country.”  Quidditch Australia will be making a call out for volunteers to assist in the running of the event over the next week. Keep an eye on the Quidditch Australia Facebook page and this website for more information on the event.

University of Sydney Unspeakables claim 2018 Midwinter Cup

By Cameron Caccamo, QA Media DirectorThe University of Sydney Unspeakables have won their second tournament in as many weeks yesterday, claiming victory in Newcastle’s Midwinter Cup following their win last week at Melbourne Mudbash. In the final, they were able to overcome local rivals and defending Midwinter champions, Sydney City Serpents, in a 100*-80 thriller. In a see-sawing game which saw neither side go ahead by more than two goals, Alex Cunningham again starred for USyd, catching snitch Jono O’Brien to give the Unspeakables their second piece of silverware for the year. Max Brenner and Brandon Frison did most of the damage on the scoreboard, with a desperate Serpents defence unable stop their drives.  The beating game was superb from both teams, with the Unspeakables able to maintain bludger control for most of the match. Harry Jones was pivotal in his return to the red and gold; helping lead the Unspeakables with bludger in hand and claiming the Tournament’s Most Valued Player award in the process. While neither team was at full strength, the Serpents were bolstered by several players from other teams. Star Dropbear beater Nathan Morton joined the Victorian Leadbeater beater Nicola Gertler and ANU chaser Portia Ashton in temporarily donning the silver and purple, and helped plug the gaps left from several key Serpents missing.  For USyd, the return of Matthew Mew-Sum for a single tournament was quite the boon, playing well despite more than six months away from Quidditch.  In two years of playing the Midwinter Cup, the Serpents had not lost a game; in fact, they had won every other game out of snitch range. They were able to beat the Unspeakables in round robin play 110*-20 in one of the first games of the tournament this year. However, USyd were able to find another gear just in time for the final. Both teams came into the final off big wins in their respective semi-finals. USyd bested host club Newcastle Fireballs 140*-30, while the Serpents saw off the UNSW Snapes on a Plane 120*-30. With no third-place play off, Newcastle and UNSW shared third place for the tournament. This win continues a remarkable run for the Unspeakables. They are currently sit undefeated on their state league (NQL) ladder, and won the Melbourne Mudbash tournament last week against a mercenary team mostly made from Serpent players. USyd will be looking to continue this form as NQL play resumes with friendly games this weekend, before ranked games resume later in August. They will face the Serpents again most likely in September in what is sure to be another fiery clash. Photo credit: Taylor Angelo, University of Sydney Quidditch Club.