Media

HKU holds the territory’s first Harry Potter Experience Quidditch
to raise awareness on gender equality

02 Feb 2018

Group photo of players and helpers after the match

Hong Kong’s first-ever Quidditch Exhibition Match (the Match) was held at the Stanley Ho Sports Complex, the University of Hong Kong (HKU), last Saturday (27 January 2018). Quidditch is a fictional gender inclusive sport that originated in the Harry Potter book series. Combining elements from rugby, dodgeball, and tag, the sport is now played around the world. The Match aimed to raised awareness on issues of gender equality and identity, and was organised by “Fly for Equality,” a project initiated by Chris Lau Kwun-shing, a HKU Year 4 student.

The Quidditch team from Seoul National University of South Korea (Seoul Puffskeins), together with 4 players from Malaysia and 1 player from the Philippines competed with the local team formed by HKU students and friends. The Seoul Puffskeins team won two out of three games.

A Quidditch team is made up of 7 players who play with “brooms” between their legs at all times. According to the International Quidditch Association (IQA), Quidditch is a gender inclusive sport, with rules stating that there can never be more than four players of the majority gender (as identified by oneself) on the pitch at one time. Quidditch upholds the opportunity for people of all genders to play together in a highly physical and competitive atmosphere, which leads to respect between the athletes, regardless of their gender identity. Quidditch is widely played in Europe and the United States, especially by University students. By taking the initiative in promoting this sport in Hong Kong, it is hoped that the participants’ awareness towards gender equality can be raised and the traditional concept that male and female should play a sport separately can be broken.

The Opening Ceremony of the Match was officiated by the guests from HKU, including Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic Staffing and Resources), Professor Terry Au Kit-fong, Dean of Student Affairs Dr Eugenie Leung, Director of the Institute of Human Performance Dr Duncan Macfarlane and Head of the Equal Opportunity Unit Ms Wendy Lin.

The project is supported by the Stanley Ho Alumni Challenge and presented by the 1984 Inclusion Fund, HKU Equal Opportunity Unit, HKU General Education Unit and Sports Association, HKUSU. The project aims at promoting Quidditch, a gender inclusive sport, in the University and the community. 

For more about the project, please visit its Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/hkuquidditch/

Media enquires: Mr Chris Lau Kwun-shing (Tel: 9442 6463; Email: chris.lau@connect.hku.hk)

Guests at the Opening Ceremony of the match: (from left) Dr. Eugenie Leung, Chris Lau, Dr. Duncan Macfarlane, Ms Wendy Lin, Professor Terry Au

Dr. Duncan Macfarlane presenting souvenir to players from Seoul Puffskeins

First match in progress

Seekers (players with yellow headbands) from both teams trying to catch the snitch