As promised, a beautiful poem from our head coach...
You saw us play at summer games,
now we’ve had a change of face.
We’ll ensure you know our names,
so you’d better watch this space!
With every perk over £5 you shall also receive a TeamUK wristband!!
We all wish we were Luke Twist or Ben Morton don’t we? Well, now’s the chance. We are now taking orders from the quidditch community so you can have your very own replica TeamUK shirt with your favourite member of the 42’s name and number. Pick an option containing a teamUK shirt from our list of perks and we'll get an order sorted with you as soon as possible.
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Over 100 players tried out. 42 players were shortlisted. Only 21 will get the opportunity to represent their country.
Global Games is a chance for National teams to compete against one another. These teams are made up of a selection of the strongest players from each country. Global Games 2014 will take place on July 19, 2014, at Burnaby Lake Sports Complex West in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada. Taking part in a tournament of this magnitude is not only a huge honour but also the chance to show the world just how much Quidditch has grown as a sport in the UK.
All players taking part will have trained with each other over a series of training weekends to ensure that they work as a unit and incorporate all things we UK players love best: teamwork, friendship, dancing, singing and hugs. Each player is hugely competitive, athletic and highly skilled. These are a selection of the best players the UK has to offer.
What is Quidditch?
Quidditch is a co-ed full contact sport with a unique mix of elements from rugby, dodgeball, and hide and seek. A quidditch team is made up of seven athletes who play with brooms between their legs at all times. A tournament squad can be up to 21 players as players require substitutes throughout a game.
There are seven players on pitch at any one time: three chasers, one keeper, two beaters and a seeker. Chasers play with the quaffle (a volleyball) and score goals worth 10 points each by throwing the ball through any one of three hoops at the other end of the pitch. The keeper’s job is to defend the goal hoops. Beaters use bludgers (dodgeballs) to “knock out” opposing players; any player hit by a bludger is out of play until they touch their own hoops. The seeker tries to catch the snitch. The snitch is a ball attached to the waistband of the snitch runner, a neutral athlete in a yellow uniform who uses any means to avoid capture. The snitch is worth 30 points and its capture ends the game.
What You Get
Transporting 21 players overseas is not the easiest or the cheapest of feats. With each player looking at expenses of around £1000 or more, fundraising is key to helping reduce costs for our players. Flights to Canada are not cheap, and accommodation will be required once the team land.
We in the UK Quidditch community pride ourselves on our generosity and community spirit. We all like to help each other out so now is your chance. How would you like to help Team UK get to Canada? We have included a large range of perks. Adopt a player, buy a drawing from our wonderful artistic players, receive photos and handwritten messages and much more.
This is our chance to show the world what we can do. We have a lot to prove and the guts and tenacity to go all the way and win. Every £1 will get us closer to victory. Watch out world. The British are coming.
Other ways to support us
Follow our Facebook page for updates on how our fundraising is going and for more information on training and events that are taking place.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/QUKWearethe42
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Amongst Mr Morton's many other duties and time constraints, he has managed to find the time to fit a little interview with myself. Without further ado:
Me: What led to your decision to be the head coach for Team UK?
Ben: As the previous captain of team UK (2012 summer games) my passion for the new team UK has always been high. As an injury prone player I figured that trying for the team would be futile. Having maybe the best understanding of European (especially UK) teams I decided it was for the best that I take on the Head Coach role.
Me: What experience do you have that best qualifies you for the position?
Ben: In my 3 years I have seen the development of European quidditch, and being at the summer games 2012 I picked up a few things from US, Canada and Australia too. There aren't too many teams I haven’t seen play (outside of America). Therefore I think I (and hence team UK) have a good idea of how to handle the majority of teams.
Me: What led to your decision on the format for the first selection trials?
Ben: Global games are going to put a lot of players out of their comfort zones. So we wanted to judge how well people could play in strained circumstance. QuidditchUK already knew who the best ‘individuals’ were- but that isn’t what wins the big games! We needed to know who could develop into a team quickly whilst also being a fantastic stand out player.
Me: What was the hardest part of that process in choosing the 42?
Ben: There are too many good players in the UK to narrow them down to only 42! Let alone a further narrowing to 21….
A lot of amazing players have missed out. I hope just missing out inspires them to only push harder to become better and make the squad on the next review.
Me:(I'm sure I am not alone here when I say that this will be a strong motivator which will ultimately lead to a vastly improved quidditch game in the UK overall)
Me: What are your hopes and expectations for Global Games?
Ben: Under my management and Ashley Coopers captaincy and coaching I already know that by the time GG comes along, team UK will be a dream team. We will do everything in our power to win. However as I cannot stress enough, we are also there to have the time of our lives.
Me: (Amen (or Awomen) Its going to be an amazing experience for all involved and I am sure everyone will make friends for life)
Me: What has been the most challenging experience so far?
Ben: Getting players to gel enough with the rest of team UK so that they play to the same standard they are able to play with their home team.
What do you think is going to be the biggest challenge to overcome?
2 simple words- Fund raising
Me: And on that note show your support and help the team to get there and show the world what the UK can offer!
Share like and donate on the right hand side... whatever you can, no matter how small, every little helps.
Another interview with Team UK captain Mr Ash Cooper on Monday