From page to pitch: How Harry Potter's Quidditch became a real-life sport

In the world of sports, there is a fascinating game that has made its way from the pages of a beloved book to real-life fields. This game is called Quadball, which is inspired by the magical sport of Quidditch from the Harry Potter series. Quadball is played by teams of players who wear sports uniforms and compete on a field with two large hoops. Each player holds a ball, and they work together to score points by throwing the ball through the hoops. Interestingly, all players also hold short metal poles between their legs, which adds a unique twist to the game. Quadball has gained popularity over the years, with numerous tournaments held for university and community leagues. It is recognized as a mixed-gender sport, meaning that both male and female players can participate together. This aspect of the game makes it stand out as one of the few full-contact sports that promotes inclusivity. Many people who may not be die-hard fans of Harry Potter have discovered the joy of playing Quadball. For instance, Henry Patten, a player from the Sheffield Quadball Club, shared his experience of finding the sport. He admitted, 'I don't even like Harry Potter,' but he fell in love with Quadball after attending a training session in 2021. Henry explained that unlike other sports that focus heavily on competition, Quadball emphasizes inclusivity and having fun. In the Harry Potter books, Quidditch is depicted as a thrilling and dangerous game where players fly on broomsticks and engage in high-speed collisions. In contrast, Quadball is played on the ground, but it is just as fast-paced and exciting. The game involves players known as chasers who attempt to throw a ball called a quaffle through the opposing team's hoops while avoiding rubber balls called bludgers that are thrown by beaters. One of the most thrilling elements of Quadball is the chase for the golden snitch, which in real life is represented by a flag runner dressed in yellow. This flag runner tries to evade the seekers, who are tasked with capturing the snitch to earn extra points for their team. Sarah Abramson, a player for the Bristol Quadball Club, described Quadball as a combination of dodgeball, soccer, and capture the flag. She noted, 'It's a really visually interesting sport to watch. ' Each Quadball team typically consists of three chasers, two beaters, one keeper, and one seeker, and the game is played on a field that is about half the size of a football field. Instead of using broomsticks, players hold PVC pipes between their legs, which adds a humorous element to the game. Sarah also mentioned that Quadball is not only fun but also requires players to have a good sense of humor about themselves. Since its inception in 2005, Quadball has rapidly grown in popularity, leading to the formation of new teams and tournaments around the world. The first World Cup for Quadball took place in Oxford in 2012, showcasing the sport's global reach. Players often encounter amusing questions from outsiders, such as 'Do you fly? ' or 'Is this even a real sport? ' Some people underestimate the physical demands of Quadball, but Chloe Durkin, the president of Olympians Quadball Club Leeds, explained that many players engage in high-intensity interval training to prepare for the game. Quadball is known for its commitment to inclusivity, featuring a gender rule that limits the number of players of the same gender on the field at any given time. Chloe, who also serves as the international relations officer for Quadball UK, expressed that playing a mixed-gender, full-contact sport is empowering. She stated, 'There is always this assumption that men are stronger than women, but in reality, that's not entirely true. ' The sport has taken significant steps to distance itself from its Harry Potter origins. In 2022, the decision was made to rename Quidditch to Quadball, partly due to trademark issues and to better reflect the sport's values of inclusivity. Quadball UK emphasized that the name change represents a commitment to their trans players and members, as well as opening up new opportunities for funding. Izzy Hecks, a player from Sheffield Quadball Club, noted that the Harry Potter connection is no longer the primary reason people join the sport. Many players, like James Martin, find Quadball to be a refreshing alternative to traditional full-contact sports like rugby. James, who is the president and coach of Warwick Quadball Club, remarked, 'It's much more fun because you get a lot more of the ball and freedom of movement. ' Michael Ansell, who previously played American Football, joined Quadball as a lighthearted decision but ended up finding a community that welcomed him with open arms. He reflected, 'It's the only sport I've ever played that you can turn up as a new person and forget you didn't know anyone before because they take you in so willingly. ' The COVID-19 pandemic has posed challenges for Quadball teams in terms of recruitment, with some clubs even going on hiatus. Sam, a player for the Oxford Mammoths, believes that better collaboration between teams and reaching out to non-students could help sustain growth. Sam, who was inspired to play Quadball after watching a match at the age of 12, remains optimistic about the sport's future. He stated, 'I think we are struggling to figure out how to sell it, but I think it can be done. ' Sam is determined to see Quadball continue to thrive, believing that its whimsical nature will attract new players for years to come.