Revolutionise your game International association announces new name for

What you need to know (in a nutshell)

1. The International Quidditch Association (IQA) has officially announced that the sport will now be known as Quadball.
2. The IQA has cited JK Rowling’s anti-trans positions and the cost of trademark use as the main reasons for the change.
3. The IQA will work with national governing bodies around the world to change to the new name and expects to begin the process after the IQA European Games 2022.

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The governing body of Quidditch has rebranded the sport ‘Quadball’, in line with its real-life version.

The IQA will assist national organisations worldwide to transition over to the revised name, which they explain “refers both to the number of balls and positions in real-life sport”.

Let’s explore what we know about the shift.

It’s been a while in the making.

The transition to Quadball didn’t happen overnight; it’s been a gradual process.

The IQA’s Name Change Committee has been advocating for a switch in the sport’s official title since March.

The committee has collaborated with Quidditch stakeholders globally to devise a new one.

The International Quidditch Association (IQA) has rebranded as the International Quadball Association, following USQ and MLQ’s lead.

Chris Lau, Chair of the IQA Board of Trustees, expressed his excitement at being part of a momentous occasion in sports history.

I’d like to express my gratitude towards USQ and MLQ for their collaboration in making this happen.

Two reasons explain the change.

The IQA criticised JK Rowling for her “anti-trans positions” in their statement announcing the name change.

The IQA’s inclusivity clause actively promotes participation from diverse backgrounds, making their sport mixed.

To create an inclusive environment, the quidditch community has adopted a Gender Rule which allows players to compete as their identified gender - including those who identify outside of binary genders.

That’s not all.

Warner Bros. owns the trademark to ‘Quidditch’, so anyone wanting to use it must pay a fee.

The IQA wants to emulate other sports with humble beginnings by growing, though the cost of using ‘Quidditch’ is likely high.

The IQA has stated they will enter into a license agreement to use the term ‘quadball’, which USQ and MLQ own as trademark in the United States.

Quadball is a major event.

The International Quidditch Association (IQA) has 600 registered teams in 40 countries and will facilitate global conversions for local organisations.

The final international tournament under the Quidditch brand - the IQA European Games 2022 in Ireland - will be held this weekend. Teams from Europe, Hong Kong and Australia are all set to compete.

The IQA plans to collaborate with its national governing body members on setting a timeline for implementing the new name post-European Games.

This week, Australia’s national Quidditch team, the Dropbears, touched down in Ireland to compete.

Quidditch Australia hasn’t yet declared its intention to change its name.