How Harry Potter’s Quidditch became a real-life sport | Global News Avenue

Quaffles, Bludgers and the Elusive Golden Snitch – It’s been 20 years since Quidditch’s transfer from Harry Potter’s page to real life.

Known by JK Rowling’s orphan wizard and now known as Quadball, the sport is considered the only mixed gender full-scale movement in the world.

Unlike Harry and Co, they do exercises lifting their hair as they soar on the broom, while real-life players try to beat their opponents across the PVC pipeline.

Although it might initially be seen as a sport for hardcore “Potter Headers”, Quadball has long gone beyond the fictional series and presumed its identity as a competitive sport that continues to make Thousands of players stay under their spells.

“I don’t even like Harry Potter,” said Henry Patten, a Sheffield Quadball club player.

Henry discovered his love for the sport after barely taking a training course in 2021.

“The sports I’ve been to before are all about competitiveness, trying to win at all costs,” the 22-year-old said.

“The quadruped is more about inclusion and good times than anything else.”

Rowling’s Quidditch is portrayed as a dangerous game where players often endure high-speed collisions and aggressive tactics.

The real-life adaptation created by American students in 2005 is equally fast-paced and sees the so-called chasers trying to throw away wool cookies through opposition basketballs – semi-stable volleyball.

While doing so, they must avoid being knocked down by the Blue Lighter and the Rubber dodges to be defeated.

Perhaps the most famous element in the game is the Golden Thief, who almost swallowed up the famous Quidditch match in Harry Potter’s first game.

But the real-life seeker is not a winged walnut-sized ball, but a yellow flag runner with a sock with a tennis ball on his shorts.

Sarah Abramson, who plays for the Quadball Club in Bristol, said the Four Bombs combines famous childhood favorite subjects.

“It’s like you kick dodgeball, football and catch the flag,” said Sarah from the United States.

“It’s a very interesting sport.”

Four football teams usually include three chasers, two hooligans, a goalkeeper and a seeker who play on half the size of the football field.

It is not buying a broom in Diagon Alley, but a store-bought PVC Pipes player uses to keep the support between the legs.

“It’s really fun, but it’s really stupid,” said Sarah, 25.

“You have to have the ability to laugh at yourself.”

After the founding of Quadball, Quadball quickly attracted the heart and mind of the world, leading to the rise of new teams, the championship, and finally the first World Cup held in Oxford in 2012.

Abnormal due to its rules and origins, players say face problems like “Oh, are you flying?” “Is this even a real sport?” It’s not uncommon.

Likewise, people often underestimate the physical requirements of the sport, said Chloe Durkin, president of Quadball Club Leeds, Olympian.

“Many people who do fitness for the sport say they have high-intensity interval training (HIIT) to endure,” they said.

Quadball has earned a reputation for being transgender and has gender rules, which also limits the number of homosexual players on the court.

Chloe, also an international relations official who ruled the body Quadball UK, said playing a mixed gender, full-blown contact sport feels “empowered”.

“There is always the assumption that men are better than women, but it is not exactly correct,” the 26-year-old said.

“There are a lot of people in the community who will still find me a challenging opponent.”

While the link between Quadball and the Harry Potter series is undeniable, the sport has taken positive steps to stay away from the team.

In 2022, it was decided to rename Quidditch to Quadball, partly because JK Rowling’s comment on gender identity And it is also due to trademark issues.

At the time, Quadball UK said the name change showed “a firm position on our transgender people and members” and opened up “more funding opportunities”.

Sheffield Four-Bomb Club player Izzy Hecks said the Harry Potter Association is no longer a “marketing point” when it comes to recruiting.

“These books may be a big factor in people’s understanding of the sport, but I think people are discovering it right now through other sources.”

For some players, such as James Martin, Quadball proposes attractive alternatives to other full-on contact sports, such as rugby.

Warwick Four Wings Chairman and Coach said: “It’s more fun because you get more ball and sports freedom.

“I actually stopped playing rugby because I got more results with four football.”

Michael Ansell, who once played American football, said his signing of the Oxford Mammoth in 2013 was “almost like a joke”.

“Looking back, it’s the best joke I’ve ever experienced,” the 30-year-old said.

“It’s the only sport I’ve ever played that can come out as a newcomer and you forget you didn’t know anyone before because they’re so happy to take you.”

Since the coronavirus pandemic, hiring has been challenging for the community and college teams, and some clubs even have been on vacation.

Oxford Mammoth Elephant player Sam believes that better cooperation between society and target non-students can sustain growth.

Sam was 12 years old when he watched the British Four Football Cup at Oxford in 2012 and is now a proud player.

Despite the challenges currently facing, the 23-year-old is optimistic about the future of the sport.

“I think we’re trying to figure out how to sell it, but I think it can be done,” he said.

“I refuse to believe that whimsical movements like this are losing popularity.”

Listen to the highlights of highlights South Yorkshire BBC Soundcatch up with the latest Look North’s plot Or tell us the story you think We should cover it here.