Five years ago, a couple of enthusiastic Harry Potter fans founded the UBC Quidditch team. Since its inception in 2010, the group had one clear goal in mind: to qualify for and compete in the prestigious Quidditch World Cup, an international tournament held in South Carolina, where 80 of the US and Canada’s top Quidditch teams compete not only to win, but also to uphold their reputations and to improve their rankings amongst other schools.
This year, for the first time in UBC Quidditch history, the team has managed to snag a spot in the World Cup. Today, they are hoping that with the help of fans’ donations through their indiegogo campaign and a $3,000 Competitive Athletic Fund from the AMS, they will be able to make their five-year long dream a reality. The Ubyssey had the opportunity to sit down with four players to speak to them about what it would mean for them to be able to compete in the World Cup, and the successes that have led them to where they are today.
Alexa Rowe (AR): President
Mormei Zanke (MZ): Team member for two years
Janik Andreas (JA): Vice President
Patrick Fuller (PF): Coach
What would you say is the most memorable success you have had this year as a team? How did that contribute to your journey in the pursuit of the World Cup tournament?
MZ: I definitely have to say coming third place in the regional Quidditch competition -- it was the final tournament that we had to play to qualify for the World Cup. We played against a strong Boise team, and there was just an insane amount of spirit and pride that our team displayed on the pitch. Just being in that moment when we were fighting hard in that last game was overwhelming and indescribable, and I can’t wait to relive the feeling when we get to the World Cup.
JA: About a year back, our team competed in a competitive Quidditch tournament in Los Angeles. At that time, we were still considered the underdogs in the Quidditch-sphere, and not considered as much of a threat. But we actually did pretty well there, and that was the day other competitive Quidditch teams started to see us as level competitors. Being able to play against some of these same teams in the World Cup this year would really give us a chance to represent the UBC community and hopefully emerge victorious amongst other schools.
What would going to the World Cup mean to you, personally, and to the future growth of the team?
PF: Having been one of the pioneer members of the team and its current coach, I have seen the team strive toward this goal of going to the World Cup for so long, that finally getting the opportunity to go feels like a dream. Every year before this, we fell short on the chance -- but that only made us a stronger team. To be so close to competing in the World Cup this year means so much for the club’s current members, and for its future. It feels unreal.
JA: The World Cup would be a great place to learn from so many experienced teams and to get UBC recognized in the Quidditch world of sport. Personally, I am excited for the team, because it is our first time even qualifying and it is a great accomplishment for our Quidditch family. It is an incredible way for UBC Quidditch to open another chapter, and I am hoping that this legacy will contribute to the future growth of the team for years to come.
MZ: There is such a great competitive dynamic on our team, and everyone is still so enthusiastic even after practicing for hours. I think it would mean so much to the team to finally be able to achieve the one thing everyone has wanted since the beginning -- playing in the World Cup!
If you had the chance to speak to a member of the UBC community to persuade them to donate to your World Cup campaign, what would you tell them?
AR: UBC Quidditch is an incredible and driven team of Harry Potter fans and competitive, athletic players with one dream: to travel to and play in this year’s World Cup! One of the greatest things about the sport is that it is entirely inclusive -- regardless of anyone’s culture or orientation, we accept all recruits and will train anybody who wants to become an athlete in our sport. We also promote community involvement both within campus and internationally, active living and anything and everything Harry Potter. By supporting us, you are supporting our values and what we stand for, and you will be helping us represent you, the UBC community, in the World Cup. Currently, we are ranked 15th out of hundreds of Quidditch teams around the world -- help us get to number one!
Donate to the team's fundraising for their World Cup trip here, or check out their Facebook page, Twitter or website.