Event Sanctioning To Raise Tournament Quality

by Sarah Goad | June 26, 2013

The IQA recently unveiled its decision to begin sanctioning league-wide events in an effort to promote further standardization and professionalism. This decision ultimately was made after there was an outburst of new events last season, many of which were hosted by inexperienced but enthusiastic organizers. Teams Director Harrison Homel said that while this was a phenomenal development for the sport of quidditch, it also led to challenges, such as unpredictability in terms of tournament quality. Some tournaments were astoundingly well-organized but sparsely attended. “[On the other hand,] others [lacked] the basics, like standard equipment or dedicated medics,” he said. “We're trying to reduce some of that unpredictability, and increase quality wherever possible.” Photo by Michael E. Mason/ IQA Staff. This new tournament sanctioning process is intended to ensure a standard for quidditch events across the board so that teams considering attending an IQA-sanctioned event will eventually come to have an implicit understanding of the quality they may expect. In order to promote high standards for tournaments everywhere, the IQA has broken sanctioned events down into three categories: IQA sponsored events, IQA endorsed events, and IQA events. ENDORSED EVENTS Endorsed events fall lowest on this three-tier spectrum. However, that does not mean that the “endorsed” label is one to disregard when seeking sanctioning from the IQA. While directors of endorsed tournaments will largely be responsible for ensuring their events run smoothly and for sending reports to the IQA about their event's progress, they will still receive assistance. “It is paramount not to underestimate the logistical support and knowledge-based resources that we'll be offering endorsed events,” Homel said. “Never written a press release, or designed a tiebreaker? We can help! Need someone to work hospitality for the event? We have a staffer who'd be happy to. These are the sorts of things we'll be able to offer all [sanctioned events], regardless of level.” The major difference between endorsed and sponsored events is the opportunity to apply for funding (endorsed events do not receive funding). Smaller events – perhaps tournaments whose attendance is expected to be small or confined to the boundaries of a state or region – will likely fall more comfortably within the limitations of an IQA endorsed event. The perks of an endorsed event include a bolstered social media presence and advertising thanks to the IQA. All endorsed events will guarantee what one has come to expect of the best tournaments: professional medical staff, certified head refs and snitches at all games, sufficient bathrooms and abundant water for players, standard gameplay equipment, and much more. If you are interested in having your event endorsed by the IQA, your application must be submitted at least two months before the proposed event date. The application can be found here. SPONSORED EVENTS Sponsored events fall one step above endorsed events because, as mentioned, a tournament sanctioned as sponsored has the opportunity to receive funding from the IQA. Homel said that the IQA is really excited about this element of event sanctioning. Although funding remains the major difference between sponsored and endorsed events, there are further minutiae differentiating the one from the other. Sponsored events will receive all guarantees and benefits allotted to endorsed events, but are also eligible on a case-by-case basis for event-specific merchandise; revenue would be split between the organizers and the IQA. Sponsored events are also guaranteed IQA merchandise; though revenue earned from this merchandise will go to the IQA, it will certainly be a factor of appeal for attendees. Tournament directors who apply for and are approved for a sponsored event will also receive further benefits; an IQA staff member will be assigned to their organizing committee and will be in regular contact with the necessary regional director to ensure the event goes through without a hitch. This extra help will likely be of great appeal, especially to organizers putting together bigger tournaments and who believe they will need as much assistance as possible. Applying for sponsorship for your event is only slightly more complicated than applying for endorsement: the season has been broken down into three time periods and you must submit your application two months prior to the time period in which your tournament falls. The breakdown looks like this: an application is due by July 1st if taking place anytime between September and December, by November 1st if between January and April, and by March 1st if between May and August. The sanctioned event interest form can be found here, and it gives applicants the choice of which level they'd like for their event – endorsed or sponsored. Ensure you select the region in which you will be hosting the event, as the form is forwarded to the appropriate regional director. Endorsement and funding decisions will then be made based on the means and needs of each region by regional staff in consultation with Harrison Homel. Once you have completed the form, you should hear back from your regional director with any additional questions within a week. IQA EVENTS IQA events are at the top of this three-tiered tower, and are the only level that organizers cannot actually apply for, as this level is restricted to events hosted by the International Quidditch Association. For more information on the different type of events, see here.