There were plenty of laughs, and broom-borne fun for all involved at the second annual muggle quidditch tournament, hosted by the Estevan chapter of the Harry Potter Alliance.聽
Members of the alliance gathered at the Dana Quewezance Memorial Field in Woodlawn Regional Park, to play a game of muggle quidditch, a sport popularized by J.K. Rowling鈥檚 Harry Potter series. Participants raced around the field on broom, foot and in one case, bicycle, playing the real-life equivalent of the sorcerous sport.聽
The 10 participants split into two teams: Snitches Get Stitches versus the Howling Hooters, with the Howling Hooters eventually taking the game. It was an intense series of rounds between the two teams, in which the scores were often close, as teams darted and bolted across the field, clutching their brooms, attempting to score on the other鈥檚 hoops and catch a player dressed in yellow clothing and a winged helmet, referred to as the 鈥渟nitch.鈥�
Victoria Utman, adult program co-ordinator for the Estevan Public Library, the tournament organizers, and one of the announcers at the Saturday morning event, noted that this year鈥檚 game, like the one before it, was being played for greater glory than just that of the participants on the field.
鈥淭he Harry Potter Alliance is a non-profit international program that encourages action, leadership and volunteerism in the community,鈥� said Utman. 鈥淲e use the power of fandom to help out with initiatives and campaigns.鈥澛�
This year, all the proceeds of the tournament are going towards the Red Cross; specifically, to assist the organization in the aid it is providing to Fort McMurray and its citizens, after the extensive damages exacted upon the city by a series of wildfires in northeastern Alberta.
鈥淟ast year, we held the tournament in August, but this year we decided to do it in June, when it is a little cooler,鈥� said Utman. 鈥淲e usually donate what funds we raise to a local charity or cause, keeping our initiatives impacting Estevan. But when we see a need outside Estevan, we try to get in on paying it forward.鈥�
Utman noted that the event was a great deal of fun, with everyone bringing a lot of energy to the game. She said it was encouraging to see so many people participating in the volunteer effort, and was particularly proud of all the younger participants in the game.
鈥淲e鈥檙e a diverse group, and this is a great way to bring people together to get them involved in an important cause,鈥� said Utman. 鈥淲e鈥檙e taking something they all love and supporting a cause. We鈥檙e taking a fandom like Harry Potter, and using the energy it creates in people to pay it forward.鈥澛�
The Estevan chapter is one of ten Harry Potter Alliances in Canada, and was the first alliance chapter to be established in Saskatchewan. The local chapter meets once a month and regularly engages in community initiatives, including book drives, the Estevan Community Garden and local garbage pickups.
