The New York Titans and Austin Outlaws went head-to-head during the regular 2021 Major League Quidditch season last June in Round Rock, Texas. The federation and sports governing bodies announced on Tuesday that the sport is being renamed quadball.
Major League Quidditch
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Major League Quidditch
The New York Titans and Austin Outlaws went head-to-head during the regular 2021 Major League Quidditch season last June in Round Rock, Texas. The federation and sports governing bodies announced on Tuesday that the sport is being renamed quadball.
Major League Quidditch
Quidditch fans are now quadruple fans, the new name for the real-life sport for the first time inspired by the Harry Potter series.
U.S. Quidditch and Major League Quidditch announced a name change on Tuesday as well as rebranding their own as United States quarterback ball and Major League Quadball. The groups announced their intention to find a new name for the sport in December, citing what they have called anti-switch position of Harry Potter Author JK Rowling.
In addition to being away from the author, organizers hope the name change will give the sport more room to grow and not be constrained by the “quidditch” trademark owned by Warner Bros.
“Bringing full creative control of our sport’s name to the vibrant community of players and fans that have grown and maintained it will allow our organizations to take the next step,” MLQ co-commissioner Amanda Dallas said in a statement. “We can now pursue the kinds of opportunities our community has dreamed of for years.”
Fans and players were polled as part of the renaming process, MLQ said, with the “quadball” receiving “strong support across demographics in the surveys.” .”
The rules of the sport will remain the same, with four balls on the field and four different positions. Both are referenced in the new name.
The names of those positions and the balls will remain as they are, but MLQ notes that both may change at a later date.
US Quidditch approved the name change and converted to US Quadball. Both Major League Quidditch and the International Quidditch Association have said they will also change their names upon completion of this year’s final tournaments in July and August.
Loic Venance / AFP via Getty Images
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Loic Venance / AFP via Getty Images
US Quidditch approved the name change and converted to US Quadball. Both Major League Quidditch and the International Quidditch Association have said they will also change their names upon completion of this year’s final tournaments in July and August.
Loic Venance / AFP via Getty Images
The first quidditch match took place at Middlebury University in Vermont in 2005, where the game was created by Alex Benepe and Xander Manshel. Benepe called the name change a “bold move.”
“Personally I certainly have some nostalgia for the original name, but from a long-term development standpoint, I feel confident this is a smart decision for the future that will allow the sport to flourish. unlimited growth into its own unique space for years to come,” he said in a statement.
During the sport’s early years, many people were attracted to it because of its connection to the book series and blockbuster movies, but since then it has become known as a high-intensity, full-fledged sport. sportiness. It is now played in at least 40 countries with nearly 600 teams in existence.
While Harry Potter’s inspiration may still be an attraction for some, MLQ media outreach coordinator Jack McGovern says it’s important that the sport is open to everyone. People.
“I think our tournaments always and still attract people from many different backgrounds. People who come to the sport because they’re Harry Potter fans and people who come to the sport because of it. they are looking for an outlet for sport in their lives”. McGovern said. “The sport has also always drawn a lot from the LGBTQ+ community and maintaining a welcoming space for all who might be interested in the sport is really important to us.”
The name change has been approved by USQ and MLQ will officially adopt the new name after the MLQ 2022 Championships on August 20-22 in Howard County, Md.
The International Quidditch Association also plans to adopt the sports news name after the IQA European Games wraps up this weekend.
