Four weeks down, eight to go.

Wow, what a busy week for publicity for the team! In just under a week we’ve had radio interviews with two separate ABC stations, had a video of our games shown on a morning show, and had members of the team from Victoria appearing in the Herald Sun and local Leader newspapers! (Check out their websites here and here to read the stories yourself)
With the first week of our main media campaign down, we’ve still got a lot of planning to do, keep an eye out for us in newspapers, on radio and even on TV over the coming weeks! Dates of everyone’s arrival have also been confirmed this week which means we’ve all been busy planning and booking flights, accommodation and details for the trip so we’re prepared for the games on July 8th.

If you’d like to come and meet some of the Australian team, find out what the game is all about, or even get involved in a game yourself, the Victorian Quidditch Association is holding a social match this coming Saturday (May 12) for anyone in the Melbourne area who would like to check it out. Games are held at 4.30pm in Alexandra Gardens (behind the boatsheds) Check out the facebook event page for more details. We’d love to see you there, and new players are always welcome (don’t worry, we’ll supply the brooms!)

Fundraising efforts took a slow start but have gradually been picking up as the team has been working on various fundraisers. Thanks to everyone who has donated to the team so far, your support really is appreciated! We’ve still got a fair way to go though so if you’re able to help us out,  any donation no matter how big or small, will help us on our way.

Meet the 2012 Australian Quidditch Team

Earlier this week, the International Quidditch Association posted the current listing for Australia’s 2012 Olympic quidditch team on their website. Head on over to their latest news updates here to read more and meet the current members of the team!

We’re now just over a week into our planning to get the Australian team to England for the International Quidditch Associations demonstration games and the team is now in full planning mode. We still have a long way to go though, and have many fundraisers we are planning for over the next few weeks, if you’d like to help us on out way then check out the ‘donate’ tab of this blog. Any donation, no matter how big or small will help us on our way. Every little bit helps and all donations are greatly appreciated!

Australian Olympic Quidditch Team Confirmed!

Earlier this evening the Australian Quidditch Association announced the finalised team we will be sending to the IQA Summer Games Challenge. The final listing includes:

Samuel Washington (of the Victorian Quidditch Association)
Jennifer Meers (of the Victorian Quidditch Association)
Kat Young (of the Victorian Quidditch Association)
Richie Southerton (of the Australian National Nargles)
Katherine Hunter (of the Victorian Quidditch Association)
James Balodis (of the Victorian Quidditch Association)
Matthew Armstrong (of the Australian National Nargles)
Beth Crane (of Snapes On A Plane)
Fiona Morland (of the Australian National Nargles)
Natasha Roberts (of the Australian National Nargles)
Chrystal Player (of the University of Western Sydney)
Katie Filippello (of the Australian National Nargles)

Congratulations to everyone selected for the team, can’t wait to get to know those of you from interstate who I haven’t met yet and to be representing Australia at the Games in London with you!

ATTENTION ALL TWITTER USERS

Adam Hills in Gordon St Tonight is filming it’s last episode for the season tonight and we’re trying to get a shoutout for Australian Quidditch 2012 so we can get some attention for our Olympic team. Anyone who has twitter, can you please tweet @adamhillsigst  ASAP. Let’s see if we can fill his twitter with Australian Olympic Quidditch 2012 and get some attention! Anyone who can help out here is absolutely wonderful! Spread the word, the more people who can do this, the better.

Day one, 97 days to go

With just 99 days to go to the Olympics, I found myself faced with an opportunity I had never imagined: to play on an Australian team at the Olympics!

I have been playing quidditch with my local team for a few months now, so when we were informed an Australian team was being sent to the Olympics to play demonstration games and expressions of interest were open, I put my name down for the team, never expecting that I would actually be given the opportunity to go to London this July. When I opened my email two days ago though, this was exactly the opportunity I was given. With just over three months until the Olympics, and the team still needing to book flights and accommodation, this gave us only a couple of months to have everything planned and booked, but this was a challenge I was more than willing to accept. I have since been planning various fundraising ideas to help me reach my goal of $3000 which will allow me to get to London.

On this blog here, you will be able to track my progress, as well as that of the team as a whole, as we make our way to the London 2012 Olympic games. You will also find information about the sport of quidditch, as well as be able to donate to support getting the team to London.

The countdown is on, 97 days. It’ll be a lot of work, but I know it will be worth it in the end.
See you in London.

Jenn