We sat down with Mr. Squires, the sponsor for HSE Harry Potter Club’s Quidditch program, to discuss their current fundraiser.

When and why did quidditch start for Harry Potter Club?

“Mr. Salvadori wanted to create a Harry Potter Club that was not just ‘everyone gets together and talks about it,’ but turning the society of it, in terms of it being a school, and actually implement it into our school. So, he saw the potential of taking the fandom to almost a ‘roleplay’ level where everyone gets into certain houses and competes the way the kids in the actual book compete. Part of that involves Quidditch, which was a big part of the book. It started at Middlebury College, where some people got together and created the sport, keeping the same rules of the sport, but for us, who are not able to fly around on brooms. I played on a team at the University of Florida, so when I came to HSE and heard Mr. Salvadori was starting a Harry Potter Club, I figured that I could definitely help in terms of getting that started with my experience and the connections I had. So, it really began as a way to enhance the already existing Harry Potter Club.”

How would you describe quidditch within HSE and its success?

“To be honest with you, I think success is anyone wanting to play it more than once. So many people think ‘Oh, that’s nerdy,’ or ‘That’s cool because it’s nerdy,’ or ‘That’s unique,” or ‘Oh wait, that’s a sport?’ There are so many different comments you hear, so it’s nice to have some people who say ‘Okay, I’ll try it,’ and then they instantly enjoy it enough to want to keep playing it. It honestly makes me think about all of the major sports in America, and I think ‘That started somewhere.’ They started with someone saying ‘Why don’t we do this?’ Why do you have to dribble a basketball? I do not know, but you just do it. They just make rules and it eventually becomes a really fun game that everyone enjoys. I think Quidditch is definitely on the way to become that, with thousands of teams around the world. I enjoy it, and I enjoy seeing the kids enjoy it, too.”

In terms of the fundraiser, what are your plans or goals for the outcome of it?

“A group got in contact with us because there was this guy who actually saw the game and immediately heard about our team because we are one of the few high schools teams around the Indianapolis area, if not the only one. He heard about us through talking to the college circuit, and he came over and wanted to help us spread the sport around. So, the fundraiser started as a means to not only raise funds to grow the sport to other schools but also for the word of mouth so that people would say ‘Why doesn’t Carmel have a team? HSE does,’ or ‘Why does Fishers not have a team?’ We actually have some Fishers kids on our teams now, so we would love to get Fishers to the point where they have their own team. We hope that the north side of Indianapolis can combine and even make a league out of it. It is a five-year plan, but we hope that with this fundraiser we can make it three, or even less.”

What do you plan on having the money go towards?

“More equipment, because we want to help other people start their teams too. Travel is also a primary concern because if we want to take some kids out to scrimmage or talk to schools, travel expenses would be very helpful. Also other simple things, like jerseys. Since the beginning, we bought the cheapest things we could, which no one has really complained about, but it is getting to the point where things are getting torn because the sport is a full-contact sport. So, all the things we have done are just a way to get ready to talk to other people and hopefully provide for them as well. The money is not just for HSE Quidditch, but to help other teams get started as well. I am so glad to the sport has taken root in the school that I teach at, and I hope we can help it spread around the area.”

To donate to the fundraiser, visit https://app.snap-raise.com/fundraisers/45533/participant/1044816?share_type=email&donation_invite_id=12928783