Community Stories

Quidditch has changed my life in so many ways. I've met some amazing people who I wouldn't have met otherwise. I've had some good weekends away at tournaments such as Midwinter and QUAFL. I've become more comfortable in myself and I've been able to find that competitive balance in my life that I need. I know I'm not the best, but quidditch has given me that drive to be better, and I know it's something I can accomplish in Quidditch, unlike other sports I've tried in the past.

I'm so glad to have discovered quidditch and I want to be involved in this sport long after I stop playing.

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Steven began playing for the Macarthur Weasleys in 2017. He now plays for the South West Horntails, is a Head Referee, volunteers on the Horntails’ Board, and is a community videographer.

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I fell in love with quidditch the first time I played. And from then on, quid was life.

I have played sport my whole life, but this was a very different one and so I threw myself into the challenge of learning to play quidditch with such excitement. My first QUAFL at my home ground on the Sunshine Coast cemented my love for Quid, my team and the community and it inspired me to dive in deeper (as if Quid wasn’t already everything I thought about and did).

I’ve gained a whole community of friends and family, it got me physically fitter, and I have learnt more about myself and my abilities than I thought was possible.

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Kay joined the USC Dementors in 2018, and has since been selected for the QLD Thunderbirds in 2019 and as an alternate for the 2020 Dropbears.

Photo: Ajantha Abey Quidditch Photography

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Right from the moment I discovered quidditch was a sport, scrolling through Facebook and seeing an article that Australia had won the quidditch World Cup, I immediately wanted to play. Watching the game and learning it’s aspects, I couldn’t contain my excitement and wanted to get out there and play. My first ever game was at QUAFL 2016 against Adelaide, and right from the moment I stepped onto the pitch, I knew this would be my thing. I was hooked right from the start and my enthusiasm hasn’t changed since.

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Jack began playing for the Manticores in 2016, has been their Team Rep for the past two years, and was the Vice Captain of the Victorian Honeyeaters in 2019.

Photo: Ajantha Abey Quidditch Photography

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It may shock absolutely nobody that I was super shy and awkward growing up and never really felt like I belonged. I had friends but like, I just always felt like a bit of an outsider. But that changed when I started playing quidditch. I was a part of something, and something really cool. There was often nothing more comfortable than going to a quidditch tournament; I knew there’d be plenty of people I knew, got along with and belonged with, which was pretty bloody huge.

Heck, without quidditch I wouldn’t have my current job or my best friend. Without quidditch, I’d most likely still be very uneducated about the spectrum of genders and sexualities that exist. Weirdly enough, this quirky University sport managed to change my whole world view (for the better, in my opinion).

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Stephen began playing for the UWS Thestrals in 2012. He now plays for the Sydney City Serpents, and has been a snitch, head referee, world cup referee, and selector at the state and national level.

Photo: KS Images

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There are obviously a million benefits to playing quidditch but this one is most surprising to me...

I founded my quidditch club in my honours year at uni, and have been very involved in leadership positions ever since. I think the most unexpected side effect of this is how impressive it looks on my CV.

When applying for Serious Grown-Up Jobs as a graduate, I've found that my quidditch volunteering experience can be woven into a lot of selection criteria, and it has really helped me stand out in competitive roles. Every interviewer has asked about quidditch ("but do you fly?") and is impressed at the work and organisation involved.

I actually landed my current job (as a fish scientist) when a friend-of-a-friend brought her HP-obsessed son to a quidditch match. We got chatting and she encouraged me to apply. I bet six-years-ago-Alise couldn't have imagined the career benefits that come from picking up a broom and volunteering.

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Alise founded the USC Quidditch League in 2014, where she has been the President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, Events Manager, Social Media Officer, and other things probably. She has also been captain of the QLD Thunderbirds and USC Dementors, and was Treasurer on the QA Board of Directors for several years.

Photo: Jane Larkin

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I fell in love with Quidditch the moment I came to my first training. Everyone was welcome, I went from having no friends to a tonne from everywhere, I could ask everyone for help and didn't have to worry about hiding anything about myself. No matter what level of skill every new player has had, they have been welcomed into teams. From my netball background, to friends' table tennis background, everyone was welcomed.

Every single club, be it Div 1 or Div 2, a university club or a community club, makes everyone feel so welcome and safe.

Playing in the State Tournament was such a significant moment for me, I felt included and respected, and like all the hard work I can put in had finally paid off.

The level of acceptance I feel every time I go to Quidditch, be it trainings, game days, concussion workshops, tournaments, I knew that regardless of my gender, experience in the game, sexuality, anything - I had found my niche, and my little safe space.

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Lara began playing for Monash University (Mudbloods) in 2019, and was also selected for the Victorian Honeyeaters that year. She now plays for the Melbourne Manticores.

Photo: James Layh Quidditch Photography

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Yes, I see you reading this as the QA media overlord. This one's for you.

There are a ridiculous number of things that Aj has done for the quidditch community, I don't know where to begin. Imma put them in dot points, in no particular order, and falling far short of everything he has done:

1. Making this whole community voices campaign in the first place, what a lovely initiative to bring us closer together <3

2. All the posters for the #ASportForEveryone series, which were both wholesome and #aesthetic

3. Having been captained and presidented by Aj, it is clear what an impact he has had on USyd Quidditch in particular. He led very successful recruitment campaigns and made sure the next generation continued his legacy. A father of quidditch if you will.

4. His contribution to quidditch photography is also ridiculous; I'd bet we wouldn't have half as many photos to post and comment on if it wasn't for his tireless work every tournament (even when he was supposed to be writing his thesis >.>)

5. His contributions to the international quidditch scene are also v impressive. Taking photos at world cups, creating resources for teams across the world to use, frankly being known by so many people everywhere

6. He is always willing to give advice and help anyone and everyone <3

7. He also has uncanny ability to recall plays and games from years ago that I couldn't remember the next day. It's impressive and also infuriating.

So thank you Aj. When you said "someone in the community who has inspired you / whom you look up to / whom you want to thank? (volunteer, player, community leader, peer, etc.)", you're the first person I thought of. And for good reason <3

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Photo: Ajantha Abey Quidditch Photography

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Over my six years in quidditch, one person, though being largely in the background, who has been one of the most fundamental and constant drivers of Australian Quidditch is Arfy - as least in my experience of quidditch. His tireless efforts over his many years in the sport have made it what it is today, and have made the community and the experience of the sport better not just for his own team but for everyone.

From being the driving force behind the Macarthur Weasleys to being the first person to really make filming of games in NSW a regular thing, and from his work on the QA board in earlier years to being a large part of the reason that QUAFL 2019 was able to even happen, Arfy has shaped quidditch for all of us in a plethora of largely thankless and behind-the-scenes ways.

It’s one thing to show up and volunteer for a regularly winning mega club, but another thing entirely to continue to show up and fight years on end for a club that has struggled for many years, not only keeping them alive as a hallmark institution of NSW Quidditch, but running local charity events, raising the profile of the sport, running outreach events, and raising all manner of players, from newbies to Dropbears.

Seeing the work Arfy has put into this sport over the last many years and the sacrifices he has made is part of what drives me to put everything I can into my own teams and Quidditch Australia, trying to carry on his incredible legacy and build on what he has and continues to build.

Quidditch in Australia would be a shadow of what it is today without the efforts of many people, but the constant, unrelenting, indefatigable presence of Arfy has always stood out to me, and I hope he knows how appreciated he is.

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Ajantha joined the USyd Unspeakables in 2014, becoming President, Coach, and Captain, and playing for NSW. While on exchange, he joined the Bristol Bears and volunteered with the Quidditch Post. He now plays for the Sydney City Serpents where he is on the Leadership team, in addition to being the QA Media Director, a community photographer, and a volunteer for Q Consultancy.

Photo: Ajantha Abey Quidditch Photography

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My first QUAFL was the wet one in 2017. We were down a couple of women for a game and only narrowly made gender. I overheard a teammate who at the time had just come out as agender confirm that the refs knew they were non-binary so we didn't break the gender rule. That was the moment I thought: 'Huh, maybe I should look at this gender thing a little harder'.

I always knew intuitively that I wasn't a man, but that was the moment that led me down the self questioning road to find Zoe today, and I wouldn't trade the experience that led me to them for the world.

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Zoe joined the ANU Owls Quidditch Club in 2017, and now plays for the Valkyries Quidditch Club. They are a snitch, volunteer on the Gender Engagement Committee, and have played for Team Malaysia.

Photo: Willem de Gouw Photography

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My favourite thing about quidditch is that everyone is amazing. I’m a first-year student who just finished high school. The thing I worry about the most is that I can’t find any friends at university. But I also hate being forced into social interaction with people I know nothing about, so I didn’t really want to join any clubs or societies that my friends are not in. But I was quite an into quidditch when I was watching Harry Potter’s film, so I decided to give it a shot during orientation week. The second I step on the pitch as a beater, there’s nothing but cheering from the crowds, also whoever was teaching me the rules in that game (I totally forget who that person is I’m sorry hahaha) was very patient and experienced, and thus helps me with beating a lot. After the game, I remember Lilian came up to me and told me how good I was during the game and she believes that I’m going to be an amazing beater like her. I was very moved since I have no experience in physical games before but still getting praise from a stranger, this gives me confidence and also an important reason for me to join quidditch.

In my first tournament of quidditch, I was very honoured to be a part of unspeakable, but also pressured because I don’t want to lose any game. But unfortunately, the snitch was caught by another team and we lost the game. I cried a lot because I think I wasn’t helping much in the game because of the lack of skills and understanding of the rule. I felt embarrassed but everyone was very kind and nice to me, like Kim and Harry and so on were all there by my side and helped me to understand that it’s ok to lose, and encourage me to stay in quidditch and keep on training.

Not only on the pitch, but also off-pitch, during the crisis like this, we still get to gather around and support each other by zoom (Thanks to Sammy and his work-out session every week, I manage to stay healthy). Therefore I think that’s the best part of quidditch, is that everyone is amazing, kind, friendly and inclusive.

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Lina Ye began playing quidditch at the start of 2020 with the University of Sydney Quidditch Club.

Photo: Ajantha Abey Quidditch Photography

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How has quidditch changed my life? For a while there quidditch was my life. Still is, if you look close enough. It brought me close friends, shared experiences and a support network. It gave me purpose, something to look forward to, and something to care about. It gave me three major overseas holidays. The opportunity to represent my country. It made me a World Champion. It caused me to completely question everything I knew about gender, sex, and societal roles. It taught me how to use powertools. Hard decisions and lessons in leadership. Confidence that my opinions were worth sharing. Certified expertise in some areas, and a voice to influence. A relationship. Moving out of home. At least two jobs.

I don’t know where my life would have gone were it not for joining quidditch, but the sport has touched every single part of who I am and my story so far—my story the past eight years is my quidditch story.

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Natalie began playing quidditch with the University of Sydney Quidditch Club in 2012, where she was Treasurer, Captain, and President. She now plays for the Sydney City Serpents and has been a captain, Australian Dropbear and NSW Blue Tongue, member of the QA Gameplay Committee, Ref Lord, and member of the IQA Rulebook Committee.

Photo: Ajantha Abey Quidditch Photography

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I had never played competitive sport before. When we had to choose a sport in high school, I signed up for yoga and ice skating. My afternoons were about debating and the student council.

I turned up to quidditch on my first week of uni set on trying it out, but also certain I would drop it in a few weeks. I just needed to fulfil 12 year old me's dream of being Ginny Weasley and chasing for Gryffindor, and then I'd quit, because I knew competitive sport was not my thing.

What I found at my first quidditch training was, instead, a group of people who were kind, supportive, encouraging and friendly. They made sure I knew that regardless of how good (or not) I was, I had a place on the team; there was freedom to get it wrong and make mistakes because we were all learning the rules for the first time.

I very quickly realised that quidditch was something I wanted to be good at - that competitive sport could be my thing, too, and that it could be anyone's thing if they have the right people around them. And I did. The coaches and older players were there every step of the way, cheering me on, encouraging me to keep trying, instilling more faith in me than I'd ever felt.

I never thought I'd be in the grand final of nationals, or represent my state, or even just voluntarily spend hours each week training for and playing sport. It turns out enjoying sport just requires finding the right people.

Quidditch has given me so much, socially, with my friends and my partner and my teams, but it's also done so much for my self confidence. I love the experiences I have, but most surprisingly, I also love the sport itself.

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Ava McConnell joined the University of Sydney Quidditch Club in 2017 where she became Vice President and then President. She now plays for the North Sydney Nightmares where she is the club’s coach, as well as serving on the Quidditch NSW Board of Directors, and playing for the NSW Blue Tongues.

Photo: Ajantha Abey Quidditch Photography

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One thing that may get lost among all the huge victories and iconic moments is QUAFL 2016, held in the ACT. Every previous QUAFL had been held on university fields of differing quality, but this was the first time we had use of professional sports fields, which I think is a huge moment in Australian Quidditch. That was truly the first QUAFL that felt like a national level sporting competition.

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Stephen began playing with the University of Western Sydney Thestrals in 2012. He now plays for the Sydney City Serpents, and has been a Head Referee as well as State and National Selector.

Photo: Ajantha Abey Quidditch Photography

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Sometimes I actually have to reflect on how I got where I am in the quidditch community, and it's because of Ajantha Abey. First I've got to clear away years of, as he's set my name in his messages, "Mutual Patronisation and Endless Anguish", which we somehow decided summarises our friendship.

And then I can be honest and say this is a person who is constantly looking for something to make better, and that's an admirable characteristic I only wish I had myself. What a truly, truly ridiculous human being. I met him, probably, a mere day or two before his first quidditch training. Seeing his growth from quiet newbie to the powerhouse of community volunteering and leadership everyone knows today is a strange thing to reflect on, but it's something so intrinsic to my own journey into quidditch because I only got to swim in this wonderful community through the efforts of volunteers like AJ.

In 2014 I was wondering, "Why won't my friend from Intermediate Latin hang out with us after class? He always has this quidditch thing on?" By 2016 I was having a huge laugh realising that everyone in Europe was crazy about AJ, too, and months before his return from exchange in Bristol I was already telling every acquaintance who'd listen, "I'm going to finally try quidditch when a friend of mine comes back home," because apparently that was the most interesting thing about me at the time, and three years of his crazy stories had finally worn me down (someone please dig up the photos of AJ seeking and hanging onto his broom like a sloth while Damo curls him like a set of weights).

This man gets to WORK. Plenty of other people can attest to the electric shock he gave USYD Quidditch Club over 2017-18, the amount of clear-headed and loving effort he put into finding ANYTHING around him and making it BETTER, SOMEHOW. He saw needs and demands no one else had probably considered and created things from scratch just because he knew it would be important. Like a true mad scientist and true Renaissance man, he's done this everywhere he has ever gone, and it's no wonder Australia and Europe is in love with him. I use the word "engagement" so much now for reasons unclear to me, but I know it's AJ's fault.

In 2016 AJ told me (jokingly? I think?) [only partly - AJ], “You have a lot of repressed anger issues. You’d make a good beater.” In 2017 he was hugging me while I laugh-cried (mostly cried) about how I could ever impress my big stupid crush if I wasn’t even a decent beater. In 2018 he said some of my quidditch photography shots were good. And in October 2019, in a match I will never let anyone forget was when the Unforgivables nearly toppled the Unbreakbles on the very first step of their run through the NQL finals – AJ said my beating was exceptional. It wasn’t the first game day compliment to be exchanged between friends, but I remember it as an interesting marker of how young adults grow into adults, skills and relationships grow, honesty pops up in between the banter, and how the years really, really do not stop coming.

Anyway, this is an inspiring person in our community, I guess. Happy birthday, Aj.

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Lilian began playing with the University of Sydney Quidditch Club in 2017, and now plays with the Valkyries Quidditch Club, having been a team captain and community photographer.

Photo: Ajantha Abey Quidditch Photography

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Going overseas and interstate to make new friends through quidditch ♡

I absolutely love that quidditch exists around the world and it brings people closer together.

I've had so much fun through quidditch and I don't think I want to give it up ever!

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Vee Lowe began playing in 2014 and plays with the Perth Phoenixes. She is the WAQA Sporting Director.

Photo: Damansara Dementors

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For those who know me this shouldn't come as a big surprise, but one of my highlights was when the Unbreakables won the NSW Div 2 finals in 2018.

This was not because I was captaining them and got a neat little trophy, but because I could see what the future of competitive quidditch might bring.

It was that celebration of Division 2. Knowing that in tournaments to come there will be an acceptance for those who enjoy the sport but are not necessarily the most competitive. Seeing that it could become a space where teams lower on the ladder wouldn't dread the coming tournament. Where playing on a B or C team isn't an insult or a fault. It was a moment that crystallised for me, how over time and as the sport grows it could become even more open and accepting.

And just plain fun for a bunch of nerds who somehow enjoy running around with a stick between their legs.

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Willem began playing for the University of Sydney Quidditch Club in 2015, where he has been a team captain and grievance officer.

Photo: Ajantha Abey Quidditch Photography

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It was QUAFL 2016, we were the ACU Paladins then. We were playing The Wrackspurts in our pool match and we knew going in that we wouldn’t win but we gave it everything we could. I fell in love with the sport from the second I stepped on the field. I loved the team atmosphere we had and the fun we have off the field. I think that’s what makes me love the sport even more.

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Chloe began playing with the ACU Paladins in 2016. She is now coach of the Brisbane City Quidditch Club and community photographer.

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The first match I ever played was QUAFL 2012; Paul and I went to high school together and he knew the people who formed the first Usyd team. I was an athletic HP fan, so I showed up having been to half a training once. It was fun but I didn't get on with the rest of the team, and with a science timetable I didn’t have much time for activities. One of the three events I went to in 2013 was QUAFL, where the team placed 3rd and qualified for the premier club tournament: World Cup VII (now US team exclusive), to be held in South Carolina.

I studied abroad in Copenhagen in 2014, and figured when would I have the chance to play sport internationally again? The team itself had changed a lot too, and very few of the original 2012’ers were still around, and I barely knew any of the new people. But these people, flying from Sydney, in high spirits and just happy to be there, happy to welcome me in as practically an outsider, that was really special. Then the tournament itself! 79 teams, 8 fields. "HEY IT'S AUSTRALIA!" everywhere we went. Feeding Americans Vegemite. Playing hard and having fun. Singing the anthem at the top of our lungs from the grandstand. Laughing at the snitch shenanigans. Playing Mafia in the hotel room. Beach quidditch as “training”. We lost all our games but it didn’t even matter: it’s the people who make this sport, and I’d found my people, found a team I wanted to be part of.

Returning home from exchange I was determined to really throw myself into “uni life”. I took up quidditch properly, started training and going to tournaments and, well, haven’t stopped since.

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Natalie began playing with the USyd Unspeakables in 2012, where she was a Treasurer, Captain, and President. She now plays with the Sydney City Serpents. She is or has been an Australian Dropbear, NSW Blue Tongue, Captain, Gameplay Committee Member, Ref Lord, and IQA Rulebook Committee Member.

Photo: Isabella Gong

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My favourite thing about quidditch is that it brings together such a wide range of people to play sport. It gives opportunity to many who would not normally engage in sporting activities to exercise doing something they enjoy, while also lending itself to high level athletes from a wide range of backgrounds. Listening to stories from my teammates is truly heart-warming.

People who never really enjoyed sports, finding something that they are passionate about and look forward to every week

People who were unfit, running further, playing harder and giving their all to improve week in and week out

People who were uncoordinated, learning to catch, throw and run all while holding a broom between their legs

People who have put their heart and soul into quidditch, and through their hard work have made it all the way from a small local team to be a part of the national team

And most importantly, stories of people from vastly different walks of life, states and countries becoming friends, supporting and encouraging each other to be better, on and off the field

I would never have crossed paths with the people on my team if not for quidditch, but I am so glad I did. Sharing these moments of joy and growth with them is what drives my passion for this unique sport.

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Hayden began playing with the Augureys in 2017 and is the club’s treasurer.

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I started playing in 2018 and whilst I enjoyed the weekend competitions, I didn’t know if it would be something to continue in the following years. I decided I would go to QUAFL in December of 2018 as a final decider. QUAFL was in the Sunshine Coast that year and at the last minute I was convinced to stay up there an extra week after QUAFL finished along with the rest of my team. Not only did I fall in love with quidditch that weekend, I fell in love with the community, the inclusiveness, I made some of my best friends in the Monash Muggles as well as in other teams, and I fell in love in a different way. It was that weekend that I met the girl who I have now been dating for over a year. That one weekend literally changed my life and I wouldn’t change it for the world.

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Maddie started playing for the Monash Muggles in 2018, and is now a Dropbear and Leadbeater.

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This is a big one for many people I’m sure, but I just have to say my favourite thing about quidditch is the social aspect of it all! I’ve met not only the best people ever, but also my best friends in the whole world and the love of my life. I cannot thank quidditch enough for that and I will forever love the sport and it’s community for giving me so much in life!

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Daisy began playing with the USC Dementors in 2018, and has since become a QLD Thunderbird as well.

Photo: Taylor Angelo Quidditch Shots

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