Sports
U.S. Quidditch Cup 11 This Weekend In Round Rock
Quidditch is a real-world adaptation of the game played by Harry Potter and his friends in the book series created by J.K. Rowling,
ROUND ROCK, TX — If you've been longing to take in a good game of Quidditch — a mixed-gender, full-contact sport with a unique mix of elements from rugby, basketball, and dodgeball — then you're in luck: The U.S. Quidditch Cup 11 will take place this weekend.
The competition will be staged from April 14-15 at the Round Rock Multipurpose Complex.
Sarah Woolsey, executive director, US Quidditch, touted the city's various dynamics as an ideal setting for the competition: “Hosting the US Quidditch Cup at the Round Rock Multipurpose Complex will help us elevate the quality of our event. Not only is there a large number of high-quality fields, but there is also space for a fan festival and indoor meeting space for a VIP experience, too. Spectator ticket pre-sales indicate that this year's US Quidditch Cup will draw a large crowd.”
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No quidditch slouch, Central Texas is home to two national championship winning teams: Texas Quidditch (2013, 2014, and 2015) and Texas Cavalry (2017.) In the 2016-17 season, Texas had more teams registered with USQ than any other single state in the league, organizers noted.
More than 150 quidditch games will take place this weekend in Round Rock, which hosted its first quidditch match June 2017 at the Round Rock Multipurpose Complex shortly after it opened. Quidditch is a real-world adaptation of the game played by Harry Potter and his friends in the book series created by J.K. Rowling, organizers noted. The sport can be described as a cross between rugby, basketball, and dodge ball, while players “fly” on broomsticks.
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“We love the enthusiasm of quidditch fans, and we are so excited to join in the fun of the US Quidditch Cup 11 here, in the Sports Capital of Texas,” said Nancy Yawn, director of the Round Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau, a division of the City of Round Rock Sports Management and Tourism Department. “We hope the players and fans from all over the U.S. enjoy engaging with each other at the tournament and throughout our Round Rock community at our restaurants, shopping and entertainment areas for an amazing weekend to remember!”
The tournament has two divisions: collegiate and community. More information about the US Quidditch Cup 11, including team, press and volunteer registration, as well as tickets, is available atusquidditchcup.com.
EVENT DETAILS
WHEN:
9 a.m.-9:45 p.m. Saturday, April 14
9 a.m.-7:45 p.m. Sunday, April 15
WHERE:
Round Rock Multipurpose Complex
in the Sports Capital of Texas!
ADMISSION COST: $12-$33
General admission tickets are available online at usquidditchcup.com and at the gate.
§ One-Day Pass - Grants access to a full day of games and the fan festival on either Saturday OR Sunday, including the semifinals and finals matches on Sunday.
§ Weekend Pass - Grants access to more than 150 exciting games of quidditch over Saturday and Sunday, including the semifinals and finals matches on Sunday.
§ VIP Weekend Pass - VIP ticket holders receive access to the VIP area, free food and drinks, individualized attention from our VIP experience staff, and more! VIP Passes are sold out!
§ Youth Pass (age 3-17); children 2 and under are free.
§ Student Passes – With a valid student ID. (A $3 upgrade fee will be imposed on student pass holders who cannot produce a valid student ID.)
PARKING: Free onsite parking is available at the Round Rock Multipurpose Complex.
ABOUT US QUIDDITCH (provided text):
US Quidditch, established in 2010, is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and the national governing body for the sport of quidditch. US Quidditch advances the sport by organizing events and programs that build community and empower all genders to compete together.
Quidditch is a mixed-gender, full-contact sport with a unique mix of elements from rugby, basketball, and dodgeball. A quidditch team is made up of seven athletes who play with brooms between their legs at all times. While the game can appear chaotic to the casual observer, quidditch is an exciting sport to watch and is even more fun to play.
Three chasers play with a ball called the quaffle and score goals worth 10 points each by shooting or dunking the ball through any one of three hoops at the other end of the pitch. They advance the quaffle down the field by running with it, passing it to teammates, or kicking it. Each team has a keeper who defends the goal hoops. Two beaters use bludgers to disrupt the flow of the game by “knocking out” other players. Any player hit by a bludger is out of play until they touch their own hoops. Each team also has a seeker who tries to catch the snitch. The snitch is a ball attached to the waistband of the snitch runner, a neutral athlete in a yellow uniform who uses any means to avoid capture. The snitch is worth 30 points and its capture ends the game. If the score is tied after the snitch catch, the game proceeds into overtime.
For more information, including the official rulebook, visit the US Quidditch Rulebook page at usquidditch.org/about/rules.
>>> Image via Shutterstock
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