St. Thomas might become the new school of witchcraft and wizardry with the start of a quidditch team by first year student Caelin Sullivan.
“I’ve been a Harry Potter fan since I was a little kid. So I was looking for something I can maybe get involved in, in university,” said Sullivan.
Quidditch is a game played in the world of the best-selling novel and movie series, Harry Potter. The game is a high-contact sport involving flying on a broomstick while trying to throw “quaffle” balls through hoops.
There is no magic involved in this version, but Sullivan sees the potential for creating something more.
“You’re all learning together, there’s no competitiveness in the team. It’s just sort of a team building kind of thing. I like that.”
The “Muggle” version of the game involves players running with broomsticks between their legs and trying to throw “quaffle” balls through hoops to gain points. The different positions involve a seeker, a keeper, beaters and chasers. The “snitch” will be played by someone wearing a ball velcroed to their back that needs to be captured by the seekers. The “bludgers” will be dodge-balls thrown at players. If they get hit, they’re out.
For sports wear, “Don’t expect Harry Potter robes,” is how Sullivan puts it.
Sullivan stresses that the game does involve tackling, but people shouldn’t be trying to hurt or intimidate each other.
“I’ve never done a contact sport, so that can be really intimidating to people and we just want them to learn the basics before there’s anything involved like that,” she said.
“This isn’t really about being competitive against each other, you want to be working together or you can’t play the game.”
To join, people can contact someone on the team, message the Facebook group, or contact someone from the executive positions. The team won’t be able to spread farther than STU this year, but Sullivan is hopeful for the future.
“Just playing against schools and getting to the finals, that would be amazing.”
