Quidditch Pitch Sports Facility Insurance (UK): A Complete Guide

Introduction: why quidditch venues need specialist insurance

Quidditch (often played as “quadball” in many leagues) is a fast-moving, contact-heavy sport that mixes sprinting, tackling, throwing and aerial-style gameplay elements. Whether you operate a dedicated quidditch pitch, hire a sports field, or run a multi-sport facility that hosts quidditch sessions, the risk profile is different from a typical “casual” field booking.

Players move at speed, collisions happen, and equipment (goal hoops, posts, balls, boundary markers, spectator barriers) is constantly being set up, moved and stored. Add volunteers, referees, visiting teams, juniors, spectators, food stalls and occasional tournaments, and you’ve got a venue with real liability and operational exposures.

The good news: the right sports facility insurance package can cover the core risks—public liability, employers’ liability, property damage, equipment, business interruption, legal expenses and more—so one incident doesn’t derail your season.

This guide explains what quidditch pitch operators in the UK should insure, what insurers will ask, and how to keep cover robust without overpaying.

Who needs quidditch pitch sports facility insurance?

You’ll typically need cover if you are any of the following:

• A club that owns or leases a pitch or training ground

• A venue operator hosting quidditch sessions, leagues or tournaments

• A school, university or leisure centre allowing quidditch on-site

• A local authority or community trust managing sports fields

• An events organiser running quidditch tournaments or “have-a-go” days

• A private landowner renting out a field for quidditch use

Even if you only hire a pitch, you may still need your own liability cover, because the pitch owner’s policy may not extend to your club’s activities.

The core covers to consider

1) Public liability insurance (third-party injury and property damage)

Public liability is usually the cornerstone of sports facility insurance. It can help cover compensation and legal costs if a third party claims they were injured or their property was damaged due to your negligence.

For quidditch venues, “third parties” can include:

• Spectators hit by a ball or knocked over near touchlines

• Visiting teams or players (depending on policy wording)

• Volunteers, officials and stewards (again, depends on wording)

• Members of the public passing near the pitch

• Contractors on site (e.g., maintenance, catering, security)

Common claim scenarios:

• A spectator trips over poorly marked boundary ropes

• A goal hoop frame falls during setup and injures someone

• A player collides with a poorly padded post and suffers a serious injury

• A ball hits a parked car because the pitch layout didn’t control overshoot

Typical limits: many venues choose £2m, £5m or £10m. If you host tournaments, have larger crowds, or operate under a council contract, you may be required to hold £10m.

2) Employers’ liability insurance (if you employ anyone)

If you employ staff—full-time, part-time, seasonal, or even some casual workers—you’ll usually need employers’ liability insurance by law in the UK (with limited exceptions). This covers claims from employees who are injured or become ill due to their work.

For quidditch facilities, this could apply to:

• Groundskeepers and maintenance staff

• Reception and admin staff

• Coaches or trainers on payroll

• Event staff (ticketing, stewards, marshals)

Important: volunteers are a grey area. Some insurers treat volunteers as employees for liability purposes, others don’t. If you rely on volunteers, make sure your policy explicitly addresses them.

3) Professional indemnity (coaching, instruction and advice)

If you provide coaching, training programmes, or paid instruction, professional indemnity (PI) can be relevant. It covers claims arising from professional advice, instruction, or alleged negligence in coaching.

Examples:

• A participant alleges unsafe training drills caused injury

• A coach is accused of failing to assess a player’s fitness or suitability

• A safeguarding or duty-of-care allegation leads to legal costs

Some sports policies bundle “instructors’ liability” rather than full PI—check the wording.

4) Property insurance (buildings, fixtures and contents)

If you own or are responsible for buildings or structures, property cover protects against insured events like fire, flood, storm, theft and vandalism.

This can include:

• Clubhouse, changing rooms, storage sheds

• Floodlights, fencing, gates

• Scoreboards, PA systems

• Office equipment and furniture

If you lease premises, check your lease: you may be responsible for insuring certain fixtures or for “tenant’s improvements.”

5) Equipment cover (sports gear and portable items)

Quidditch is equipment-heavy. You may need cover for:

• Goal hoops and frames

• Balls, cones, boundary markers

• First aid kits, defibs (AEDs)

• Radios, tablets, timing systems

• Portable barriers and signage

Look for “all risks” or “portable equipment” cover if items are moved between venues. Also check:

• Single item limits

• Theft-from-vehicle conditions

• Storage requirements (locked room, alarm, etc.)

6) Business interruption (loss of income after an insured event)

If your venue generates income (pitch hire, memberships, events, café/bar), business interruption cover can help replace lost revenue and contribute to ongoing fixed costs after an insured loss.

For example:

• A fire damages the clubhouse and you can’t host matches

• Storm damage makes the pitch unsafe and bookings are cancelled

• Flooding shuts the site for weeks

Key points:

• Choose an indemnity period that matches reality (often 12–24 months)

• Make sure the “sum insured” reflects gross profit, not turnover

7) Legal expenses

Legal expenses insurance can help with:

• Employment disputes

• Contract disputes (suppliers, contractors)

• Tax investigations

• Pursuing or defending certain claims

It’s not a replacement for liability insurance, but it can be a useful add-on for clubs and facilities with limited budgets.

8) Personal accident cover (optional but valuable)

Personal accident cover can pay fixed benefits if an insured person is injured. It’s often used for:

• Volunteers and officials

• Coaches

• Committee members

It can also be offered as a member benefit, but it’s not the same as liability insurance.

9) Event insurance (tournaments, one-off days, festivals)

If you host a quidditch tournament, you may need event cover for:

• Event cancellation (e.g., extreme weather, venue closure)

• Non-appearance of key participants (where relevant)

• Additional public liability for the event

• Hired equipment and temporary structures

If you run multiple events, it may be more efficient to arrange an annual policy that includes events rather than buying one-off cover each time.

Key risks specific to quidditch pitches

Insurers like clarity. If you can show you understand your risks and manage them, you’ll usually get better terms.

Contact and collision risk

Quidditch involves physical contact, rapid direction changes and contested possession. Collisions can lead to:

• Fractures and dislocations

• Concussion and head injuries

• Soft tissue injuries

Your insurer may ask about rulesets, refereeing standards, and whether you follow a recognised governing body’s guidance.

Pitch surface and maintenance

Many claims start with slips, trips and falls. Common issues:

• Uneven ground, holes, poor drainage

• Loose turf, mud, ice and standing water

• Inadequate line marking or boundary definition

Routine inspections, documented maintenance, and clear “no play” thresholds help.

Temporary structures and set-up

Goal hoops, barriers and signage are often assembled on match day. Risks include:

• Collapse or toppling

• Sharp edges or pinch points

• Poor anchoring in wind

Use stable bases, padding, and a set-up checklist.

Spectator management

Even small crowds create exposure:

• Spectators too close to play

• Uncontrolled access to the pitch

• Children running into the field of play

Barriers, stewarding, and clear signage reduce risk.

Safeguarding and duty of care

If you host juniors, schools or mixed-age sessions, safeguarding is critical. Insurers may ask about:

• DBS checks for relevant roles

• Safeguarding policies and training

• Supervision ratios

• Incident reporting

Travel and off-site activities

If your club travels with equipment or hosts away fixtures, consider:

• Equipment in transit

• Hired venue liabilities

• Minibus/vehicle use (usually separate motor cover)

Common exclusions and policy pitfalls to watch

Sports facility insurance can look similar on the surface, but wording matters.

• Participant injury exclusions: some public liability policies exclude injury to participants. If you’re insuring a club or organiser, you may need “sports participants’ liability” or a policy that includes members/players.

• Contact sports restrictions: some insurers treat contact sports differently. Be explicit that quidditch/quadball includes contact.

• Wear and tear / gradual deterioration: pitch issues caused by poor maintenance won’t be covered.

• Flood exclusions or high excesses: important if you’re in a flood-prone area.

• Theft conditions: especially for portable equipment and storage.

• Alcohol-related incidents: if you sell alcohol, you may need additional considerations and strict management.

• Unattended minors: safeguarding failures can invalidate cover.

If you’re unsure, ask for the insurer’s definition of “participants” and confirm whether players, members, volunteers and officials are included.

How much cover do you need?

There’s no single answer, but here’s a practical starting point:

• Public liability: £5m is common; £10m for larger venues, council contracts, or bigger events

• Employers’ liability: typically £10m (common market standard)

• Property: rebuild cost for buildings; replacement cost for contents

• Equipment: replacement value, including spares and specialist items

• Business interruption: realistic gross profit and a sensible indemnity period

If you host tournaments, consider the maximum attendance and the potential severity of a claim.

What insurers will ask (and how to prepare)

Having your information ready speeds up quotes and improves accuracy.

Venue and operations

• Address(es) and whether you own/lease/hire

• Number of pitches and surfaces (grass, 3G/4G, indoor)

• Floodlighting, fencing, stands, clubhouse facilities

• Opening hours and seasonality

Activities and events

• Training only vs competitive matches

• Number of fixtures per year

• Tournaments and expected attendance

• Any additional activities (fitness classes, other sports)

People

• Number of members/players

• Staff numbers and payroll (if applicable)

• Volunteer roles

• Coaching qualifications and supervision

Risk management

• Written risk assessments

• Pitch inspection routines

• First aid provision and defib availability

• Incident/accident log

• Safeguarding policy (if juniors)

• Security measures for buildings and equipment

The more organised you are, the easier it is to demonstrate good risk control.

Risk management tips that can reduce claims (and premiums)

Insurers price risk. These steps can help you look like a well-run operation.

• Documented pitch inspections: pre-session and post-session checks, with a simple checklist

• Clear boundaries: cones/lines, spectator zones, and safe run-off areas

• Stable, padded equipment: goal hoops secured and padded; no sharp edges

• Qualified officials: consistent refereeing reduces dangerous play

• First aid readiness: trained first aiders, stocked kits, clear emergency plan

• Weather policy: defined thresholds for cancellation (ice, lightning, high winds)

• Safeguarding controls: DBS, training, and clear reporting routes

• Contractor management: ensure contractors have their own insurance and RAMS

Claims: what to do if an incident happens

A calm, consistent process helps protect your position.

1. Make the area safe and provide first aid.

2. Record the incident: time, location, what happened, witness details.

3. Take photos (surface condition, equipment position, signage).

4. Keep any relevant equipment aside (don’t repair immediately if it may be evidence).

5. Notify your insurer/broker promptly.

6. Don’t admit liability on the spot—stick to facts.

Good records can be the difference between a smooth claim and a disputed one.

Choosing the right insurer or broker

For niche sports and mixed-use venues, working with a broker who understands sports facility risks can save time and avoid gaps.

Look for someone who will:

• Confirm whether participants are included under liability

• Tailor cover for tournaments and events

• Advise on safeguarding and risk management expectations

• Help you set realistic sums insured for property and interruption

Quick checklist: quidditch pitch insurance essentials

Use this as a simple starting point.

• Public liability (including spectators and third parties)

• Employers’ liability (if you employ staff; clarify volunteer status)

• Participants’ liability / sports liability (if required)

• Property cover for buildings and fixtures (if responsible)

• Equipment cover (including off-site and in transit if needed)

• Business interruption (if you rely on pitch hire or events income)

• Legal expenses (optional)

• Event cover for tournaments (if not included annually)

FAQ: Quidditch pitch sports facility insurance

Do we need insurance if we only hire a pitch?

Often yes. The pitch owner’s policy may not cover your club’s activities, especially participant-related risks. Many venues will require you to provide proof of your own public liability.

Does public liability cover injuries to players?

Not always. Some policies exclude participants. You may need sports participants’ liability or a specialist sports policy that includes members.

Are volunteers covered?

Sometimes. You need to confirm whether volunteers are treated as employees for employers’ liability and whether they’re included under public liability.

What if we run sessions for under-18s?

You’ll need strong safeguarding procedures. Insurers may require DBS checks, safeguarding training, and documented supervision.

Is equipment covered when it’s in someone’s car?

Only if your policy includes cover for equipment in transit and you comply with theft-from-vehicle conditions (e.g., locked vehicle, items out of sight, time limits).

Can we insure a one-off tournament?

Yes. Event insurance can cover public liability, cancellation and hired equipment. If you run multiple events, an annual policy may be more cost-effective.

How can we keep premiums down?

Clear risk assessments, documented inspections, good first aid provision, robust safeguarding, secure storage, and controlled spectator areas all help.

Call to action

If you operate a quidditch pitch or host quidditch events, the right insurance should match how you actually run sessions—who attends, how equipment is set up, and what your worst-case scenarios look like.

If you want, tell me:

• Whether you own the pitch or hire it

• Approximate annual attendance (players + spectators)

• Whether you employ staff or rely on volunteers

• Any tournaments planned this year

…and I’ll help you outline a sensible cover checklist and the typical limits to request on quotes.