Quidditch: From Hogwarts to RI

Author JK Rowling wrote about a wizarding sport in the Harry Potter series, named Quidditch. Muggle, or non magical Quidditch, has now flown off the pages, and has taken off at colleges worldwide.

The Quidditch pitch (field) is an oval, with three hoops at each end. There are seven players on each team, and an independent person acting as a snitch.

All players, aside from the snitch, must play while riding a broom.

A red dodgeball, called a quaffle, and two blue dodgeballs, known as bludgers, are used in this game. The offense players, Chasers, try to score by throwing the quaffle into one of the three goal hoops. Each score is worth 10 points.

Defense players, the Beaters, try to peg players with their bludger. If a player is hit, they have to stop what they're doing and run to their home hoop, tag it, and then come back in play.

Keepers act as the goalies, and guard the goal posts at each end and attempt to block chasers' attempts at scoring.

Seekers try to catch the snitch. These players are able to run anywhere, and do not have to stay on the field. The winning seeker wins 30 points for his or her team, and as soon as the snitch is snatched, the game is over.

Muggle Quidditch is played all over the world, and there is even an International Quidditch Association . The North East Regional Tournament will be held at Fort Adams State park, November 17 and 18.

The event is free, and family friendly. There will be 25 teams competing, food vendors, and fun events for the whole family.

Helpful links:

URI Rhody Ridgebacks (URI’s Quidditch Team)
International Quidditch Association
North East Regional Quidditch Tournament