Tournament Director (TD) Certification Program
USQ’s TD certification program ensures that event organizers understand USQ policies and best practices for event planning and operations. We encourage all those running quadball events to participate in the certification program. There is no cost to become a USQ certified TD. All TDs involved with planning and running a USQ official and/or sanctioned event must be certified at least one week before their tournament. Both the initial TD certification exam as well as the recertification exam are required to be completed by the individual whose name is on the account, per USQ policy. Exceptions to this policy may be made in the case of an emergency. As a reminder, all official events are required to be registered with the league by filling out the event calendar registration form HERE.
New TD Certification Process
This year, we will be returning to separate processes for initial certification and recertification. Any new individual looking to pursue initial certification for the 2022-23 season must complete the following steps:
Register for a free TD membership on the USQ membership platform
Sign-up for the program HERE (this must be completed before attempting the exam)
Take the full certification quiz HERE. Prospective TDs must receive a score of 80% or higher to pass. As with all USQ quizzes, TDs must wait 24 hours in between test attempts. This quiz will be available on September 7, 2022 until June 30, 2023.
Recertification Process
In a return to past seasons, previously certified TDs may opt-in to the recertification process by signing up HERE. The requirements will consist of:
Completing an abbreviated free-response recertification exam, which is pass/fail
Attending an event policy seminar (upcoming dates can be found HERE)
Registering for a free TD membership through USQ’s membership platform
Please note that signing up for recertification is not a guarantee that an individual is eligible to participate. Eligibility will be verified for each individual that signs up before they receive the link to take the recertification exam. Attendance at the policy seminar is not reared before completing the exam, but must be done before hosting an official event.
Throughout the season, we will release new resources in all areas of event planning and scheduling, which will be found on our website HERE.
Dedicated TD Rule
The dedicated TD rule has once again been updated for official events this season. Each event will still need to have a certified TD organizing the event:.
For tournaments with three or fewer teams and two or fewer pitches, the certified TD who is organizing the event may also have another role at the event (e.g. player, referee, coach, etc.).
For tournaments with four or more teams and have two or fewer pitches, there must be at least one dedicated, certified TD at all times.
For events with nine or more teams and three or more pitches, an additional TD will be required. This second TD may also have another role at the event (e.g. player, referee, coach, etc.).
Tourney Machine
Starting for the 2022-23 season, USQ will be using a new tournament management system. Tourney Machine gives TDs the ability to create and manage tournament schedules, update standings, and communicate with coaches in a quick and efficient manner.
This is an option for TDs to utilize to assist running their tournament, since there is a $4 per team cost to use. To add your event to Tourney Machine, make sure to click yes on the event calendar registration form HERE.
USQ Community Events Manager, Katrina Bynum, will create your event for you to help get your tournament started. She will also be making a tournament manager account for each TD. Once your account is made, you will be sent an email with login instructions. For more information on how to run a tournament on Tourney Machine visit the help center HERE.
Return to Play Policies
As our return to play policies evolve throughout the season with the ongoing pandemic, TDs are encouraged to consult the most up-to-date return to play (RTP) policies for the league while planning their events. RTP policies can be found HERE.
New Discord Channel
Certified TDs will be invited to join the private channel on the USQ Discord. TDs will be able to talk to each other as well as those on USQ staff about any questions or concerns they may have. This Discord channel will replace the Certified TD Slack channel that was used in previous seasons.
Volunteer Opportunities
USQ is always looking for volunteers to serve as year-round TD Program Coordinators and TD Support Coordinators, to help build out the program and provide support to tournament directors. For more information on these roles, please email tdcertification@usquidditch.org. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis throughout the season.
For questions about the TD program or planning an official event, please email tdcertification@usquidditch.org.
Event Sanctioning
Events of all kinds are eligible to apply for sanctioning in order to receive insurance coverage, financial support, and other potential benefits. The earlier in advance of a tournament that the sanctioning application is completed, the better. Generally, sanctioned events that are not requesting financial support should submit the application no later than one month in advance. Full information, including specific application deadlines, can be found HERE. If approved for the program, all sanctioned events must adhere to the following:
Provide a logical gameplay schedule for attendees with reasonable notice before the event
Pay head referees and lead assistant referees the league standard rate for all games, both official and unofficial
If certified, pay snitch runners the league standard fee for all games, both official and unofficial
Play all tournament games under the most current USQ rulebook available
Provide easily accessible water for all tournament attendees (players, referees, spectators, etc.)
Insurance Coverage
All sanctioned events are covered under USQ’s accident insurance policy. If you are approved for sanctioning, all participants in your tournament must do one of the following no later than the Wednesday before the tournament:
Purchase USQ trial membership if they are not a USQ member
Have an individual player membership with USQ
Additionally, sanctioned events are eligible for insurance coverage under USQ’s general liability policy. USQ can provide a certificate of insurance at no additional cost that provides proof of insurance for a facility, city, park and recreation district, etc. Naming an entity as additional insured may be available upon request.
Please note that unofficial events requesting insurance coverage and field testing will have to follow both the requirements for sanctioning as well as the requirements for field tests at unofficial events.
Financial Support Grants
TDs can apply for grants to aid in hosting their tournament. Limited grants will be awarded to select events that provide significant support and expanded competitive opportunities to teams and members following the pandemic.
The deadlines and application process are available on this page under “Application Deadlines.” Please note that grant applications for events from September 15-October 31 are due ASAP.
Field Testing and Sanctioning Requirement
Field testing is open to any event - including unofficial events. Sanctioning is not required. The guidelines are the same as previous seasons. Unofficial events may be approved for referee field testing provided they meet the following additional requirements:
Have a USQ proctor in attendance
Follow the current USQ or Major League Quidditch rules
If an event is not using one of the following rulesets, the rules will need to be emailed to and approved by referees@usquidditch.org
Have all required official positions filled during each field test. The required referee positions are:
A certified lead assistant referee, at least one assistant referee, a flag runner, a scorekeeper, and a timekeeper
Field test info available on the officials page.
For questions, please reach out to tdcertification@usquidditch.org.
Photo Credit: Tom ‘Chiddy’ Powers