In a far off world, wizards and witches battle in a game known as Quidditch. Using flying broomsticks, they soar through the firmament in hopes of catching a golden ball known as the golden snitch. The golden snitch is the game piece and about the same size as a walnut.

Seniors Andrew Pester, Evan Barnes and Sidney Newlin have recently became the  administrators of this newly added club, where students from ninth to twelfth grade can join.

“In the Muggle world, [which we will be playing in sadly] they transform the snitch which is  the golden ball in the Harry Potter books, into an actual person who runs around the campus,” Pester said. “He wears all yellow and the people have to try and take a flag from him.”

While the game of Quidditch is not typically played in the Muggle world, students here at Free State are taking a new spin on it.

“It’s kind of like basketball, [because] you have to throw a ball through a hoop and there is also a bunch of complications,” Newlin said. “There are also ‘beaters,’ who try and hit the other players.”

Since players in the Harry Potter movies are equipped with robes, scarves and uniforms, member of the Free State club will be as well.

“It’s really official; we have a badge, we’re going to get uniforms, you can get brooms, and we’re going to try and have nobody pay for it [through fundraisers],” Pester said.

In terms of games, Pester and Newlin both agreed they want to play other high schools and eventually make a varsity Quidditch team.

Also a sport at the University of Kansas, the Quidditch team has high hopes for the upcoming season.

Since every club must have a sponsor, football coach and English teacher Brandon Wolak has agreed and believes the club will take off.

“Interestingly enough, there are a lot of teams that play Quidditch throughout the world, and the University of Kansas has one of the highest ranked teams,” Wolak said.

It is a possibility to even have Quidditch players come to Free State.

“[Coach Wolak said that] we could potentially get the kids from KU to actually help coach us,” Pester said.

Since there were only a small number of people at their first meeting on October 3, Pester  says they need more.

“There were only 10 people at the first meeting, but we are trying to get more,”  Pester said. “The more the merrier.”

Harry Potter fanatic or not, Newlin encourages all to come.

“You’ll be able to letter in the sport so everyone should do it,” Newlin said. “It’s just really fun, especially if you like Harry Potter; but even if you don’t like Harry Potter, it’s fun.”

Sponsor Wolak agrees.

“I, along with many others, am a Harry Potter fan. And, as an English teacher and a football coach, literature and athletics are two very important elements of my life,” Wolak said.

Considering that the team will not actually start playing until the spring, a practice schedule has not yet been determined; however, Wolak believes the team will take off.

“Quidditch plays an integral role in just about every novel in the series, and the Quidditch scenes in each novel are some of the most vivid and entertaining scenes in the book,” Wolak said.

Many believe Quidditch exists only in the wizarding world, but the Free State team is bringing it to the muggle world.

“Believe it or not, there is an actual rule book and an official International Quidditch Association (IQA),” Wolak said. “The game itself is like a cross between dodgeball, soccer, rugby, and tag. Of course, all of these skills are executed while holding a broomstick between the legs.”

Quidditch being incorporated into Free State’s atmosphere has a special meaning to Wolak.

“I (along with many others) am a Harry Potter fan. Quidditch plays an integral role in just about every novel in the series, and the Quidditch scenes in each novel are some of the most vivid and entertaining scenes in the book,” Wolak said. “I really like the game of muggle Quidditch (that is, Quidditch for non magic folks) because it encourages teamwork, team spirit, camaraderie, sportsmanship, and physical fitness.”