[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/hogwarts.jpg” caption=”The coat of arms of Hogwarts, the fictional school created by J.K. Rowling for the Harry Potter novels. Image via Jmh2o at fr.wikipedia.”]The McMaster Quidditch Team/Harry Potter Club is in need of some volunteer snitches.

The campus club, which promotes all things Potter, is helping the Inter-Residence
Council organize a Quidditch tournament this weekend and needs to find students to
work as golden snitches.

Quidditch is the fictional sport created by author J.K. Rowling for the popular Harry
Potter series of novels. In the game, 14 players (seven a side) compete to score points
through large, floating hoops while dodging flying iron balls (called bludgers) and trying
to capture a small, enchanted, winged ball known as the golden snitch.

Under the International Quidditch Association's modified rules for the “muggle” (non-
wizard) version of the game, players run with brooms, rather than fly with them, hoops
are mounted on poles, and the snitch is actually held by an impartial player in a sock
tucked into the waistband, similar to flag football.

The snitch can run beyond the playing field to avoid being caught by either team's
“seeker”.

The job requires speed, agility and a willingness to wear yellow.

“It's a really intense position, but it's also a really important position,” said Munazza
Ahmad, the club's president. “So we need to pick the right people.”

If you're interested in helping out as a snitch or a tournament referee, contact Ahmad at
mcmasterquidditch@gmail.com.

The tournament will take place Saturday at noon on the field in front of the John
Hodgins Engineering building.