Fantasy Quidditch Comes to Canada
The Canada Day Fantasy Tournament will mark Canada's entrance into the world of fantasy quidditch. The tournament will take place on June 30th, the day before Canada's 146th birthday, at Immaculata High School alongside the historic Rideau Canal. The games begin at 9:00 a.m. and will conclude by 6:00 p.m..
The idea for a Canada Day Fantasy Tournament was formed after Jamie Lafrance participated in the 2012 Northeast Fantasy Tournament and Clare Hutchinson participated in the 2013 Snow Cup. These tournaments inspired the University of Ottawa (Ottawa, ON) duo to bring a fantasy quidditch tournament to Canadian soil. They, along with their organizing team and countless volunteers, have worked hard to make their dream a reality.
The Organizing Team:
Jamie Lafrance – Tournament Director
Clare Hutchinson – Assistant Tournament Director
Megan Stacey – Director of Hospitality
Tegan Bridge – Director of Gameplay
Carina Hetherton – Director of Logistics
Participants
Over 100 players will participate in the Canada Day Fantasy Tournament, hailing from both Canada and the United States and representing thirty different teams. The experience level ranges from players with years of World Cup experience to players participating in their first tournament. This dynamic gives new players a chance to learn from the high level of competition, and the experienced players the chance to become leaders on their team and further develop their skills.
Tournament Format
The tournament will consist of six teams who will face off in a round robin. The top four teams will then move on to single elimination semi-finals. The teams will be led by general managers who will choose their team in a snake draft. Updates on the team rosters and the schedule can be found here:
General Managers
Samy Mousa – University of Kansas, Referee Development Team
“I draft players based on how attractive they are. This method was inspired by [UCLA chaser] Vanessa Goh, but it does not mean that we will not be the most serious team you've ever met.”
Samy Mousa has an extensive quidditch résumé. During his three-year career at the University of Kansas (Lawrence, KS), he has played every position and has been an active member of the Referee Development Team. His playing career includes leading the Crimson Warhawks (Lawrence, KS), participating in the Southwest Fantasy Tournament, and surviving Snow Cup 2013. Mousa has refereed at every tournament he has entered and is known for his direct approach and emphasis on respect and fair play.
Outside of quidditch, Mousa has a number of other interests. He played football and rugby while living in Canada, and soccer while living in Kansas. After finishing high school, Mousa enlisted in the US Military and was given an honourable discharge due to an injury. Lastly, one of his biggest passions is poetry. He regularly performs slam poetry and other performance pieces. He hopes to one day get his work published.
Casey Inniss – Algonquin Quidditch
“My dream team will be the most aggressive, energetic players with an attitude that would make even Slytherin crawl back into their holes. If there's ever been a team that you love to hate, we're it.”
Casey Inniss is the founder of Algonquin Quidditch (Ottawa, ON) where he plays as a beater. In just two short months, he took the brand new Algonquin team and transformed them into fifth place finishers at the 2012 Canadian Cup. Inniss has an aggressive beating style while having a laid-back and trusting leadership style. Inniss is very dedicated to the Ottawa Quidditch Community: he donated the final $200 uOttawa Quidditch's Club needed to get to World Cup VI and is currently working towards creating Ottawa's first community team.
When not playing Quidditch, Inniss works for Mediaco, an event production company. Inniss is also a motorcycle enthusiast and is famous in Ottawa for showing up to Quidditch practices on his motorcycle with his broom strapped to his back.
Devin Dutt – Carleton Quidditch
“I'd like to win, so I'm planning on making a team that's serious [and that] balances speed and size players. Hopefully that will give me players who aren't afraid of contact, but [who] are also fast enough to rush on offense and get back to defend.”
Devin Dutt has been a chaser for Carleton Quidditch (Ottawa, ON) for the last three years. He has participated in two World Cups (IV and V) and two Canadian Cups (placing 2nd in 2011 and 3rd in 2012). He is also the team's Chaser Captain and an experienced snitch. Despite these accomplishments, his proudest moment is still the time when he broke a concrete base with his ribs at the 2012 Canadian Cup.
Dutt remains active outside of the Quidditch community as well. He regularly participates in a number of different races, including the Spartan Races, the Tough Mudder, and the Run For Your Lives zombie run. He also coaches a Peewee AA baseball team in his community.
Jamie Lafrance – University of Ottawa Quidditch, Tournament Director
“The team I want is competitive, but I want to be able to be friends with them after the tourney, so they have to not be overly competitive. I also just want to have people who really just want to have a good time. I'm beyond excited to see who I can pick up (if you know what I mean).”
Jamie Lafrance was introduced to quidditch where he is introduced to most new things: at the campus bar. Although he has only been playing quidditch for a year and a half, he has an extensive quidditch résumé: he was a keeper for the University of Ottawa quidditch team during the 2012-2013 season, where he helped the team to not only place second at the Canadian Cup but to be the only international team to qualify for bracket play at World Cup VI. Apart from the University of Ottawa team, Lafrance has participated in the 2012 Northeast Fantasy Tournament (Blue SWLT) and the IQA Summer Games (representing Canada).
When Lafrance is not on the quidditch pitch, he can often be found on the rugby pitch representing his university once more. He plays and coaches within the community as well. Lafrance is also involved in student life on campus; he currently holds a position as a Residence Advisor, and he is the Vice-President Philanthropy for the Sociology and Anthropology Student's Association.
Chris Beesley – University of Notre Dame, Referee Development Team
“I'm looking to draft a team that gives us a chance to win, but one that realizes winning isn't everything. Our "bench" or "second string" will play a lot; everyone should have fun and learn something.”
Chris Beesley's quidditch career began six years ago when he started the Quidditch club at the University of Notre Dame after finding the Middlebury rules online. Since then, he has moved on to refereeing and referee development. He has been a Head Referee at every World Cup since World Cup IV, and he co-founded the Referee Development Team after World Cup V. Since last October, Beesley has lived in Guelph, Ontario, where he has continued the development of quidditch and referees in Canada.
When not on the pitch, Beesley can be found involved in his community. He volunteers for several charitable organizations and plays the piano for his Catholic parish.
Andrew Nguyen – Ryerson Quidditch
“I'm looking for a smart team with a lot of synergy. I don't need the biggest, fastest, or flashiest person; I need the person who's willing to give everything they have for their team. My players should be the epitome of perseverance, camaraderie, and respect for the game.”
Andrew Nguyen was a starting beater for Carleton's A-team, and as a World Cup IV and V player. He was a part of the team that took second at the Canadian Cup in Ottawa and third at the Ives Pond Invitational in Buffalo. He also led the previously winless Ryerson (Toronto, ON) team to two second place tournament finishes. Nguyen was also the commentator at the Canadian Cup in Ottawa and Kingston, Ontario, as well as at the Ives Pond Invitational in Buffalo and the Championship Field for World Cup VI in Kissimmee, Florida.
Nguyen currently works full-time as a reporter for Canada's largest metropolitan newspaper, the Toronto Star. In his spare time he enjoys watching documentaries and hunting for good shawarma.
What's Coming Next
The draft for the Canada Day Fantasy Tournament has already taken place (the teams can be found here). In the weeks leading up to the tournament, more information on the tournament will be released as well as an in-depth analysis of each team.