Quidditch is a real sport and should be included in Varsity

As the anticipation for Ice Hockey begins to dominate conversations about Varsity, it’s time to branch out on what we should be paying attention to. Football and tennis might be the popular vote, but the time has come to broaden our sporty horizons.

Perhaps the most whimsical sport played competitively in the UK, Quidditch has recently become popular for both players and spectators alike. With it’s increasing popularity and downright quirkiness, it is time that Quidditch should be accepted as a legitimate Varsity sport.

The Sheffield Quidditch team (named the SQuidS) is usually played with a mix of both University and Hallam students, and also welcomes non-student members. Formed just last year, they won an award for the New Society of the Year in 2016.

On their Facebook page, they describe the sport as a “medium contact sport with roles for all sizes and abilities of player and is a sport in its own right separate from Harry Potter. We do however run some Harry Potter socials through out the year and there is something for everyone.”

Originally sprung from the seed of Harry Potter, Quidditch has become as a sport in its own right. Particularly for the SQuidS, who have have taken storm across the UK in recent tournaments in Durham, Staffordshire and Manchester, in which they came 20th in the UK as part of The British Quidditch Cup. Harry Potter puns aside, it is clear to see that Quidditch players take their sport seriously – holding training sessions twice a week as well as travelling to play in matches.

This year, the SQuidS have decided to run their own take on a Varsity match, splitting their normal team into their respective Hallam and Uni sides. With the President studying at Uni of Sheffield, and a portion of players from Hallam, the match could shape up to be on equal par with the age-old Slytherin vs. Gryffindor rivalry. The match will take place on Saturday (25) March at Ponderosa from 2:00PM – 4:00PM and is completely free to attend.

There’s already trash talk

An event which seems as promising as this should be made legitimate, particularly as a reward to the hard work of the players. Whether you’re team Hallam or Uni of, grab your cape and head down to Ponderosa for a sporting event to remember.

Photo taken from The British Quidditch Cup Facebook.