Round Rock To Host U.S. Quidditch Cup In 2019

ROUND ROCK, TX — The Round Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau recently announced the city would host the U.S. Quidditch Cup in 2019.

Round Rock officials have made great strides in luring sports competitions to the city, dubbing the municipality as the "Sports Capital of Texas." To that end, the national championship tournament, U.S. Quidditch Cup 12, will be staged April 13-14, 2019, at the Round Rock Multipurpose Complex, located at 2001 N. Kenney Fort Blvd., in Old Settlers Park.

Round Rock was selected as the location for U.S. Quidditch Cup 12 after a highly competitive bid process, city officials noted. Positive feedback following U.S. Quidditch Cup 11 in Round Rock was a major factor in the decision, officials added. Players, officials and volunteers said they loved the facility, and spectator turnout was strong. The 2018 tournament was the second largest quidditch event on record, following World Cup V in New York City in 2011.

“We are incredibly thrilled, proud and honored to host the U.S. Quidditch Cup 12 here in the Sports Capital of Texas, Nancy Yawn, director of the Round Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau, a division of the City of Round Rock Sports Management and Tourism Department, said. "We enjoyed true collaboration with U.S. Quidditch tournament organizers as we prepared for and hosted the event at our new Round Rock Multipurpose Complex this past year, and we look forward to a continued partnership. The Central Texas community loves quidditch, and we look forward to hosting players, families and fans in Round Rock for the national championship tournament again in 2019.”

The U.S. Quidditch Cup 11 hosted in Round Rock in April included 63 collegiate and 24 community teams competing. More than 4,000 athletes, fans, officials and volunteers were in attendance at the event, with several thousand more watching the tournament in real-time online.

“The Round Rock Multipurpose Complex is an extremely high-quality facility that has everything we need to host a top-notch tournament," said U.S. Quidditch Executive Director Sarah Woolsey. "It has a large number of well-maintained fields, ample parking, field lighting and a securely fenced complex. There are also many hotels within a 10- to 15-minute drive from the fields. We had a fantastic experience in Round Rock this past April, and we're excited to work with our partners there to continue to elevate the event experience for all attendees. The city has been very welcoming and we appreciate all of their support.”

Additional information about U.S. Quidditch Cup 12, including team, press and volunteer registration, as well as ticket purchasing, will be available in the fall. Team registration for all regional championships will open in the summer. More information on the required steps and deadlines will be available in August. Email Mary Kimball at events@usquidditch.org with any questions.

Related story: Round Rock 'Sports Capital of Texas' Reputation Grows With Events

About U.S. Quidditch (provided text):

Quidditch is a full-contact, competitive, mixed-gender sport inspired by the Harry Potter book series. It began in 2005 and has since spread to over 300 colleges, high schools and community teams nationwide. US Quidditch (USQ) includes official club teams at traditional sports powerhouses like the University of Texas; University of California, Los Angeles; and University of Florida. Teams compete over a year-long season. USQ hosts seven regional championships that crown regional champions and are part of the qualification process for teams attending the annual U.S. Quidditch Cup. At these events, teams compete in one of two divisions: collegiate and community.

Quidditch is played with seven players to a team all mounted on brooms. Three chasers score goals by putting the quaffle (a volleyball) through any of three hoops at the opposite end of the field. A keeper defends the hoops, while two beaters throw bludgers (dodgeballs) at opposing players to temporarily knock them out of the game. Meanwhile, each team’s seeker tries to catch the snitch: an autonomous yellow-clad athlete who has a tennis ball in a custom-made velcro tail hanging from the back of their shorts, similar to flag football. A game of quidditch ends when the snitch tail is caught, and the capturing seeker’s team is awarded an additional 30 points. U.S.mQuidditch’s official rule book is available free for download here.

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