World's Fair and Membership Awards
Two weeks ago, QuidCon 2013 hosted the Quidditch World's Fair, a contest recognizing the best new ideas in the categories of Competition, Community, and Creativity. The winners for each category worked hard to create ideas that they believe will benefit the quidditch community.
Disclaimer: The winners were chosen based on the quality and effort put forth into contestants' ideas and are not representative of future IQA plans.
Photo by Isabella Gong/IQA Staff.
Zara Collier and Jeff Blum won the top prize in the Competition category with the idea for The Pitch 2013. Collier and Blum began by analyzing major issues in the quidditch community. “We realized a combination of two things. One issue [at the] center of every debate was the 'whimsy vs. competition' debate and that the quidditch community is becoming polarized. We created a proposal that a) took care of big problems, and b) showed there was a middle ground. Everyone can be somewhat happy and not exclude some group… We wanted to prove that quidditch could continue to be for everyone,” explained Blum. Blum describes their biggest ideas as their “two-circuit system,” consisting of two organizational structures appealing to different types of players.
The Championship structure would consist of "superconferences" in which teams compete to be sent upward and eventually reach a national championship. The Whimsy players would play in a tournament circuit organized by regions and state representatives. The proposal also touches on a variety of other topics, including possible solutions to the broom debate. “Right now we're just interested in having people read the proposal and think about it. We don't claim we have all the right answers, but at the very least we'd like people to read it, consider it, start to think about ways to find that middle ground, talk constructively, and work out compromises… At the very least, if we could start those conversations I'd consider it a success,” said Blum.
Lisa, Mike, and Trevor Atherton took the top honor in the Community category with their ideas for "Glow-in-the-Dark Quidditch.” “Glow-in-the-dark quidditch isn't exactly a new idea. But there is very little information out there on how people have played it and what supplies they've used successfully,” said Trevor Atherton. His approach has two main objectives. Atherton, the outreach coordinator for Minnesota Quidditch, would like glow quidditch to be an outreach event. “A glow event followed by snacks and beverages can be a new way of recruiting members. It's also a great way to introduce the sport to younger kids, especially by partnering with local Park & Recreation departments, YMCA's or other organizations. The format is to teach the sport at dusk, followed by playing the game in the dark, ending with a social gathering afterwards with food,” explained Atherton.
“The second objective is to develop a guide so other leagues can hold the event more easily; thus saving them time, money and energy.” Atherton has started researching different glow in the dark products and plans on posting his findings on his website.
Atherton said he has been planning this event for almost a year. “I got the idea last winter. It gets dark so early. This is sort of an extension of the “night games” we all played as kids. There is something exhilarating about them; then you throw in the quidditch game and the glow aspect, and it becomes a bit magical.
Atherton encouraged anyone who has played glow-in-the-dark quidditch to contact him and discuss how they play the game so that he can continue to improve gameplay.
Glow in the dark quidditch bracelets. Photo by Lisa Atherton.
The Creativity category winner was Eric Andres with "Fleet Competition Brooms," which he proposed as a replacement for PVC and bristled brooms. PVC brooms are economical and light, while brooms with bristles closely resemble those from the Harry Potter books, Andres wanted to create brooms made specifically with quidditch players in mind. “The current prototype model is a 38" long modified shaft of composite materials, with attention paid to ergonomics and weight,” said Andres. “They consist of a polyurethane foam core layered with fiberglass and polyester resin.”
This year's Quidditch World's Fair showcased some exciting new ideas as well an overall fun experience for all involved. “My favorite part of the World's Fair was seeing everyone's reactions to the exhibits. There were really great ideas brought to the table, and it made for very stimulating conversation. QuidCon, as a whole, keeps getting better and better every year and I can't name just one favorite part,” said Andres.
In addition to the Quidditch World's Fair awards, the IQA also revealed the winners of the Membership Awards, which honor specific outstanding achievements of IQA teams throughout a yearlong academic season.
TEAM AWARDS:
UCLA
IQA Sportsmanship Award
The IQA Sportsmanship Award goes to the team that has demonstrated an overall commitment to sportsmanship through fair play, generosity, and integrity. They accept both victory and defeat graciously and hold a great respect for competitors, teammates, officials, and fans alike.
UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA
The Xander Manshel Award
The recipient of the Xander Manshel Award truly embodies the spirit of the IQA. By furthering the IQA's mission of creativity, community, and competition, this team has enabled the culture of quidditch to spread to a greater demographic while continuing to focus on their own competitive spirit.
THE LOST BOYS
The First Year Survival Award
This award goes to a first year team that has demonstrated impressive leadership and substantial growth. They have already substantially contributed to the thriving IQA community by participating in and hosting events, and have also interacted with their community through social outreach.
PERTH PHOENIXES
The Portkey Award
This award goes to the team that faced and fought through the toughest hurdles throughout the year, be they weather, injury, big brother's intervention, or other unfortunate circumstances, all while maintaining a positive attitude.
NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY NARWHALS
The #swag Award
This award goes to the team that has achieved the most powerful visual and physical presence, otherwise known as #swag. With a combination of uniforms, banners, war cheers, facepaint, the recipient of this award has created a unique style and flare that distinguishes the team from all others.
EVENT AWARDS:
“SHELL-SHOCKING SPECTACULAR” BY UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND
The “Better than the World Cup” Award
This award commemorates the most successful quidditch tournament run by a team or group of teams (not the IQA administration), based on funds, gameplay, and community integration.
“YULE BALL” BY MCGILL UNIVERSITY
The “Turned Out Better than the Weasley/Delacour Wedding” Award
This award commemorates the most successful quidditch community social event of the year run by a team or group of teams (not the IQA administration) based on funds, community integration, and FUN!
“TRADING CARDS” BY UTAH CRIMSON FLIERS
The “Money is Might” Award
This award commemorates the most successful fundraiser for a quidditch team based on creativity, awareness, and funds raised.