USQ Update
2016-17 Mid-Season Update
Just past the midway point of the season, and as spring regional championships begin this week, USQ recaps what has happened so far this season and what to look ahead to during the spring.
It’s been an exciting season already, and we’re only at the halfway point! Over the next few months, keep an eye on the USQ website and social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram) for information about the following policies and events:
2015-2016 Annual Report and Form 990
USQ’s annual report from the 2015-2016 season is now available on the About page of the USQ website, here. We did a lot of great things last season, and we hope you’ll share this PDF report with your teammates, fellow fans, and newcomers to the sport. If you have questions about the annual report, please contact Executive Director Sarah Woolsey at sarah.woolsey@usquidditch.org.
We’ve also posted our league’s Form 990 on the same page. A Form 990 is a financial disclosure form that all nonprofit organizations are required to file. Our About page also contains information about our three-year strategic plan, as well as previous annual reports and Form 990s from the past five years.
Key Announcements
Tournament Registration Fee Grant
We are extremely excited to be able to offer grants in the amount of $450 to teams from our West and Northwest regions. All West and Northwest teams who qualify for US Quidditch Cup 10 are eligible to apply, and we have 11 grants available, one for each nationals bid from these regions. For more information, including on how to apply, check out our announcement article.
Official Event Policy Reminders
As we gear up for the second half of the season, we would like to remind tournament directors and event hosts of our gameplay policies and requirements. Read our article here for clarifications about some of the policies on which we receive the most questions.
Rulebook 10 Available in Print and Online
It’s not too late to brush up on your rules knowledge! USQ Rulebook 10 is available for free online, and in paperback for $9.99 though our DFTBA online store.
Jillian Flom Hired as Events Manager
We are very fortunate to have been able to bring Jillian Flom onto our team as Events Manager. Flom started in her role last month and brings a wealth of experience to her work in the Events Department. If you see her at a regional championship or US Quidditch Cup 10 this spring, be sure to say hi!
Spring Regional Championships and US Quidditch Cup 10
If you’re in the South, Southwest, West, or Northwest regions, get ready for some exciting quidditch action to come your way this spring! Please see below for the details of our marquee events.
South Regional Championship 2017
February 11th and 12th, 2017
Columbia, SC
Palmetto Health Fields at Saluda Shoals Park
Presented in partnership with Columbia Regional Sports Council and Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission
Southwest Regional Championship 2017
February 18th and 19th, 2017
Bryan-College Station, TX
Veterans Park and Athletic Complex
Presented in partnership with Bryan College Station Sports + Events
West Regional Championship 2017
February 25th and 26th, 2017
Peoria, AZ
Pioneer Community Park
Presented in partnership with City of Peoria
Northwest Regional Championship 2017
March 4, 2017
Kennewick, WA
Columbia Park
Presented in partnership with Visit Tri-Cities
US Quidditch Cup 10
April 8th and 9th, 2017
Kissimmee, FL
Austin-Tindall Regional Park
Presented in partnership with Experience Kissimmee
For more information about US Quidditch Cup 10, check out our website, and feel free to purchase tickets or volunteer at the event.
If you’re a player, you can also review our bid allocation and team registration policies.
End of Year Survey
After Nationals, be on the lookout for our annual end-of-year survey for players, coaches, officials, and spectators. Each year, we use this information to better understand the current demographics of our membership and to gain feedback from members on a variety of issues. Make sure your voice is heard!
Bid Timeline
Last year, we released an article detailing our bidding process for next season’s events. We listed the following deadlines:
April 17, 2017: Bid package submission deadline
May 2017: Finalists for each event announced
July 2017: Locations for 2017-2018 events announced
If you’d like to nominate your city or college to host an event, please follow the steps outlined in the article!
Policy Review and Feedback
USQ is conducting a review of our current policies and procedures, including our gameplay policies, as part of our commitment to continue to grow the sport in an organizationally and fiscally responsible way. If you have comments about any of our policies or the organization in general, or if you have any questions about the league, please don’t hesitate to contact:
membership@usquidditch.org (with questions or comments about this year’s membership policies)
events@usquidditch.org (with questions or comments about this season’s event or gameplay policies)
sarah.woolsey@usquidditch.org (with questions or comments about next season’s policies, or general inquiries)
