The Quidditch Premier League can confirm that we will not be holding a season over the summer of 2021.
While part of this decision is due to the ongoing uncertainty regarding the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic over the course of the next year, and the difficulty of being able to safely hold try-outs and training sessions, the greater motivation behind this decision is with a mind to the long-term sustainability of the sport. Whatever the pace at which life returns to ‘normal’ and the virus is beaten back, quidditch will need a firm focus on the grassroots community that has always been the greatest strength of the sport we all love. Director Jack Lennard explains further:
‘University term-times remain in flux, and National Governing Body-affiliated teams around the world have been unable to run recruitment as normal during this pandemic. It is becoming increasingly clear that, when the sport can return to full activity, it will be more important than ever that our National Governing Bodies have all the time and resources needed to ensure the long-term survival of quidditch in the United Kingdom and Europe. Not only will this decision free up valuable summer months for National Governing Bodies to dive straight back into their events in-person as soon as they are able to, but it also gives us a unique opportunity to renew the lifeblood of the sport - the community.
‘The Quidditch Premier League is a wonderful event, but right now is the time to restore strong grassroots foundations in quidditch, so that we can look towards a future where a Quidditch Premier League season is once again held with a solid cornerstone of grassroots talent, experience, and passion. Myself and my team stand side by side with National Governing Bodies in this mission, and I would personally like to thank them all for their tireless work during this global pandemic in keeping players safe and engaged. I would also like to thank all our volunteers once again from the past three seasons we have held, as well as the players and partners who joined us in bringing the Quidditch Premier League to life and changing the game - I have no doubt that we will have the opportunity to do so once more in the future.’
Photo credit: Jessica Cornelius