The Quidditch World Cup

The Quidditch World Cup held in Dewitt Clinton Park in NYC

If you would have asked me two or three weeks ago what Quidditch means to me.  I would of told you that Quidditch is a sport in a fantasy world that only takes place in a movie.  But, after spending three days over the weekend with a Quidditch team from Chestnut Hill College, the word Quidditch has an entirely different meeting to me now.  

I was part of a group from Rowan University that was doing a documentary film on the Chestnut Hill College Quidditch team.  When I first found out what we were going to be doing a couple of thoughts were going threw my head.  I thought it was neat because watching these movies as a kid I wanted to play this intense sport.  I was also wondering how they would change the game because right now you can't get a broomstick that fly's.

The International Quidditch Association did a good job creating the game and mimicking the sport that was on the big screen.  One of my favorite ideas was how they made the snitch work for this game.  The snitch was a ball that fly's around and the seekers on each team try to catch it.  Of course there isn't anything like this in real life, but making actual people the snitch was a bright idea.  The snitch was my favorite part of the Quidditch World Cup.  The reason I enjoyed them so much is because of all the crazy stuff they were doing.  I saw one snitch jump into a tent to hide while he was being chased.  Another snitch cut in line at the bathrooms and hid in there for awhile.  Though for future snitches, I would say hiding in a tent would lead to a better experience then hiding in a porta-potty.  Some of their other tricks included sitting down in the crowd, wearing someones sweatshirt, and hiding between two buses parked on the street.  The snitches found some perfect hiding spots that kept the seeker's from getting them.

First Aid Station in the middle of the Quidditch World Cup

The other misconception I kept on hearing about this sport all weekend was how only nerds play this sport.  The best quote of the weekend had to be Devin Devoue who told CBS in an interview "I don't know what a nerd looks like, but if you looked up nerd in the dictonary it wouldn't be me".  Devin is one of the biggest members on the Chestnut Hill College Quidditch team.  He also looks to be one of the more physical players out on the pitch.

Quidditch which is a cross between Lacrosse, Basketball, Soccer, Football, Cross Country, and any other sport I left out is really physical.  I found that out the first game I was filming.  The teams were running towards the balls in the center and two of the players collide in the center of the field.  One player was laying there not moving and I could see blood coming out of the girls forehead.

 

 Some game play from the Quidditch World Cup

Later that day I heard another player had broken her leg and another guy had his ankle broken.  Even though this is a magical sport based on a movie, the EMT's don't have the magic to heal injuries in a matter of minutes like the wizards in the movies.  So for those of you who thought this sport was easy to play you might want to reconsider.

Chestnut Hill's Banner

Now lets focus on the reason that I was at the World Cup this year.  We were fallowing Chestnut Hill College from Philadelphia.  My first impression of this team was that they didn't look that physical.  But, that was only because I didn't see them practice or play the sport yet.  But, one of the things that you should know about Quidditch is that it isn't about how big or strong the person is, its how much they love this game.  Chestnut Hill College had a real passion for this game which really showed in their game.  They even proved me wrong because they were really good at this game.  Each person on this team was loving every moment of the World Cup, from the player who was at their first World Cup to the veterans on the team.  There was a lot of excitement on everyone's face because they have been waiting for this day all year long.

Chestnut Hill getting ready for the start of a game.

Chestnut Hill had a very strong first day with a 3-0 record and easily advanced to day number two.  The second day though didn't turn out as well as the first one.  There first game was around 1-1:30 and they ended up losing when the other team caught the snitch.  The first controversy of the tournament came up during this match.  Beater Kaycee Flore hit the seeker for Tuffs with a bludger, but before he made it all the way back to the goal he was subbed out by another seeker who within a couple of seconds caught the snitch.  Chestnut Hill brought it up with a member of the International Quidditch Association but, was turned down because they said that "four seconds wouldn't of made any difference".

Even though Chestnut Hill came up short this year they have learned a couple of things.  They are one of the most physical teams out there and that makes them one of the best teams in the tournament.  Also, since they only had a couple of seniors, this team will be one of the most experienced teams at next years World Cup.  I along with the entire Chestnut Hill Quidditch team had a interesting and fun weekend.  Who knows, maybe next year I might be playing in this tournament!!

The Chestnut Hill College Quidditch Team.