Rantoul, Ill (WCIA)
Sports Inspired by Quidditch hosts National Qualifier in Champaign County. 18 collegiate and adult quadball teams will travel to the Rantoul Family Sports Complex Nov. 18-19
Quadball, the real-life sport inspired by the magical game of Quidditch, is hosting a
For the first time, Champaign County hosted a national qualifier. The Rantoul Family Sports Complex will be buzzing November 18-19 as 18 quadball teams from collegiate and adult clubs from across the country compete for qualifying spots for the 2024 US Quadball Cup.
Quadball is a mixed-gender, full-contact sport played by around 600 teams in almost 40 countries. The rules, originally adapted from the Harry Potter book series by students at Middlebury College in Vermont, incorporate a mix of elements from rugby, dodgeball and flag football. A quadball team consists of seven athletes who must always have a broom between their legs. While other field sports such as lacrosse involve players using sticks to pass a ball across the field, the use of a broom in quadball intensifies this game by forcing players to coordinate holding the broom while simultaneously attacking an opponent or the ball to pass and catch.
“We are very pleased to host the US Quadball National Qualifier at the Rantoul Sports Complex,” he explains
Mark Brown, director of sports, events and film at Experience Champaign-Urbana. “This festival
Atmosphere will introduce this truly unique and entertaining sport to our community and present
Growth opportunities for quadball in our region.”
The event is expected to generate over $320,000 in economic benefit to the region, with at least one to two hotel stays required for participating athletes. Experience Champaign-Urbana wants to ensure residents don’t miss this opportunity to learn, see, try and experience the sport that brings over 350 athletes to Champaign County.
On Friday, November 17th, all 18 teams will be at The Fringe at 849 Stone Ridge Dr from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Local residents want to meet US Quadball athletes and ask questions about the game. They can do this by visiting The Fringe for an informal meeting. Beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, November 18, residents can watch athletes compete in the full-contact sport at 744 Rantoul Family Sports Complex on Murry Road. Be sure to bring your favorite chair so you and your family can sit courtside, close to the action. Tickets are $5 in advance online or $10 at the door.
On Sunday, November 19, from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., spectators can try out the Quadball Combine, test their skills and learn the basics of quadball on an official league field. Registration can be done in advance online or on site.
After showcasing your skills on the quadball field, stick around on Sunday and experience the thrill of seeing which teams survive the weekend and secure a bid to the 2024 US Quadball Cup!
To learn more about the sport of quadball, visit usquadball.org.
About US Quadball
US Quadball (USQ) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and the national governing body for
Quadball sport. USQ promotes sports by organizing events and programs that build community and give adult and youth athletes of all identities, including all races and genders, the opportunity to compete together. For more information, email [email protected] or visit usquadball.org.
The sport’s name was changed from Quidditch to Quadball in 2022. The umbrella organizations, USA
Quadball and Major League Quadball have decided to distance themselves from Harry Potter author JK Rowling and open up sponsorship and broadcast opportunities. The new name refers to the number of balls and the number of positions in the sport. US Quadball and its activities are not licensed, sponsored, or affiliated with Warner Bros., JK Rowling, or their affiliates. “Quidditch”, “Harry Potter” and all related names, characters and characters are trademarks of and © Warner Bros. – Harry Potter publishing rights © JK Rowling.
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