Competitive Divisions
Teams and players play quidditch for different reasons, some of which have manifested themselves in the past in the presence of Division 1 and Division 2 at World Cups V and VI. In order to cater to the widest possible variety of players, the IQA has taken steps to define more specifically what Division 2 means to its player base, and to accurately foster those values at future events.
After talking with teams throughout the league, and acknowledging that Division 1 versus Division 2 is often perceived as a mere difference in skill, or that Division 1 is considered “competitive” while Division 2 is considered “whimsical,” the IQA has chosen to define the divisions based on what their respective players hope to achieve by playing quidditch. In general, Division 1 players play the sport with the primary focus on winning each match, while Division 2 players play the sport for the experience of participating in quidditch, regardless of the outcome. This does not mean that Division 2 players do not care about winning, or that they will never try to become more skilled. It does mean that matches between Division 2 teams will generally be more lighthearted during game play, as their players tend to care less about the specific outcome of the match than their Division 1 counterparts.
With this definition in mind, future World Cups (starting with World Cup VII in 2014) will no longer feature Division 2, as the World Cup is intended to be a showcase of the sport at the most intense competitive level. Instead, regional championships, which include in their goals the unification of all teams in a given region, will offer teams the opportunity to participate in either Division 1 or Division 2. Only Division 1 teams may qualify for the World Cup, but both divisions will provide an atmosphere that treats quidditch as a sport, while maintaining the understanding of the different values it offers to its respective players. With this model, which mirrors the method in which Division 2 was instituted at World Cup V, the IQA hopes that players who enjoy participating in the sport with less focus on winning will have an environment in which they feel comfortable, while intensely competitive teams can continue to be able to play top-tier competition.
