She may not be able to fly, but Chloe Tapp, 19, of Alexandra Hills has excellent skills on a broomstick.
She has learned most of them since joining the Australian Catholic University Paladins, a team which has adapted the game of quidditch from the Harry Potter series. S
She is joined in the team by Jordan Frazer, 21, of Birkdale who plays keeper. His job is to prevent people from scoring goals.
“There are three hoops and only one of me, so I think it’s one of the harder jobs on the field,” Mr Frazer said.
Ms Tapp plays chaser in the game, running with a broomstick between her legs with her objective to get the quaffle through one of three hoops. Each successful shot is worth 10 points.
“It’s an awesome game and a lot of fun. It developed with a group of students and now it has become a world wide phenomenon,” she said.
Besides playing for the Paladins, Ms Tapp also manages the Thunderbirds, a State team which will compete in the State shield being staged at Corporate Travel Management Stadium, Spencer Park, Newmarket from 11am on October 14 and 15.
The team hopes to oust the current national champions Victorian Leadbeaters. It will be the Thunderbirds first official match after attendance at the final of last years series for exhibition matches.
Spectators can enjoy a sport of mixed gender, with only four of one gender allowed on pitch at any time and each player remaining on their broom (anything can be used from PVC piping to a tree branch) at all times. While the chasers are focusing on the hoops, two beaters use bludgers (dodgeballs) to knock out opposition players. There are three bludgers in play for both teams to use.
The snitch is a non-player with a tag on the back of their shorts that the Seekers attempt to rip off at the end the match.
Ms Tapp said she currently trained twice a week and played social games and occasional competitive matches. She said the next major competition was the nationals which will be played in Canberra in December.
“It’s been a lot of fun and I’ve met a lot of new people. It’s good when you win as well, but it’s also a win when you see other people perform well and get a lot better. I used to be like that when I started two years ago,” Mr Frazer said.
Players are selected from State teams by the President of Quidditch Queensland.
