Putting Quidditch Against The Best: Quidditch Vs. Football
In recent years the spotlight has fallen on team sports within schools to be more inclusive to encourage more participation in physical activity and reduce levels of childhood obesity. Some of the most popular team sports across primary and secondary school include hockey, dodgeball, netball, basketball, rounders and the most popular sport, football.
For many years Football has been regarded as the nations favourite contact sport particularly within primary schools. However, as children become older girls and boys are not able to play together. In fact, there are very few contact sports in which boys and girls can play together, until recently.
A new sport has begun to captivate many young children across the country! Straight from the worldwide phenomenon Harry Potter, Quidditch has now begun to enter UK schools. For years the sport from the wizarding world has enchanted the minds of adults and children alike from all corners of the globe. The game has now been adapted so that it can be enjoyed and played by everyone – instead of just being a fantasy!
Quidditch ensures that it is inclusive to all, as the only full-contact mixed-gender sports in the world, the teams only allow four players who identify as the same gender on the quidditch pitch at a time. This means that everyone gets a fair chance.
The rules and gameplay very different however there are some similarities to football such as strategy and positioning. Before matches and during half time players can apply different tactics and game plans to ensure their players are where they need to be.
On the pitch there are four different positions that pupils can play in;
Chaser – their main aim is to throw the quaffle through the opposite team’s hoops to score goals (each goal is worth 10 points for the team).
Keepers – these players guard the hoops against opposing chasers to ensure that they don’t score any goals. These then can turn into a chaser on the offence.
Beaters – throwing blungers at the opposition to ‘get them out’ and making them return to their hoops is the main goal for the beaters.
Seekers – similar to the version in Harry Potter, the player who catches the snitch earns 30 points for their team and then ends the game – potentially making their team victorious.
Quidditch offers a new way for children to engage with sport. It is more important than ever for children to enjoy and engage in physical activity.
Want to bring Quidditch to your school?
Get in contact today!
http://www.enricheducationuk.com/quidditch/