Edmonton Quadball Welcomes Trans & Queer Women & Girls Amidst Sports Exclusion
- EDMONTON – In a landscape where opportunities for transgender and queer athletes are increasingly under threat, the Edmonton Quadball Association is actively building a haven for inclusivity.
- “We super want to make sure that all trans folk know they're welcome in sport, and trans women are the ones who are even more under attack,” said...
- Quadball, a relatively new sport born from the fandom surrounding J.K.
EDMONTON – In a landscape where opportunities for transgender and queer athletes are increasingly under threat, the Edmonton Quadball Association is actively building a haven for inclusivity. The organization is hosting a “try-it” day for transgender and queer women and girls on at Commonwealth Recreation Centre, a move lauded by advocates as a vital counterpoint to recent restrictive legislation.
“We super want to make sure that all trans folk know they’re welcome in sport, and trans women are the ones who are even more under attack,” said Jasper Whitby, a coach and board member for the Edmonton Quadball Association. The event will cater to different age groups, with youth (ages 10-14) invited to participate from to , and adults from to . Registration for the Family Day event is $5.
Quadball, a relatively new sport born from the fandom surrounding J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, has deliberately distanced itself from its literary origins. Originally inspired by the wizarding world’s Quidditch, the sport has evolved into a unique blend of handball, dodgeball, and flag football, incorporating strategic elements of basketball and soccer. However, the Edmonton Quadball Association’s decision to move away from the Harry Potter association runs deeper than intellectual property concerns. It’s a conscious rejection of Rowling’s publicly stated transphobic views.
“There’s few niche sports that have trans inclusion, and for us, the second J.K. Rowling is out here making these horrendous statements, we were like, ‘Well, that’s not going to fly for our sport that is so integrally trans-inclusive,’” Whitby explained. This commitment to inclusivity is not merely performative; it’s embedded within the sport’s rules themselves.
Most quadball leagues employ a gender-maximum policy, limiting the number of players of the same gender allowed on the field at any given time – typically three in the initial phase of play and four in the second. This rule acknowledges the importance of allowing trans athletes to compete in the gender category that aligns with their identity, explicitly including non-binary players. “Trans women are playing with cis women, cis men, trans men, (non-binary) folks – they’re all on the team at the same time,” Whitby said.
The timing of this event is particularly significant given the recent passage of Alberta’s Bill 9, which utilizes the notwithstanding clause to limit participation in women’s and girls’ sports to individuals assigned female at birth. Transgender advocates have strongly criticized the legislation, deeming it harmful and discriminatory. Whitby noted a noticeable increase in trans youth joining quadball since the introduction of this legislation.
“This is stress off of their chest in a very stressful time for parents of trans kids right now,” Whitby said, explaining that parents are relieved the sport doesn’t require them to verify their child’s assigned sex at birth – a requirement now in place for girls’ sports teams within Edmonton Public Schools. The Edmonton Quadball Association’s open and affirming stance provides a crucial alternative for young athletes and their families.
The event acknowledges that marketing an event “for women” can be unwelcoming to gender non-conforming and trans masculine individuals. While funding from a Canadian Women & Sport grant necessitates a focus on women, the association explicitly welcomes all trans and gender non-conforming participants, recognizing the potential discomfort some may feel with the label. For those who may not feel comfortable at this event, the association also offers open practices in May.
Quadball, described by Whitby as “that weird, niche sport you’ve never heard of,” is rapidly gaining traction internationally, with leagues now established in over 40 countries. The Edmonton Quadball Association’s commitment to inclusivity positions it not only as a sporting organization but as a progressive force advocating for equity and acceptance within the athletic community. The “try-it” day on represents a powerful statement: that sport can and should be a space where all individuals, regardless of gender identity, can thrive.