The sport of Quidditch has long been considered a rough-and-tumble game, and though women have never been excluded from the sport, most teams seem to harbor the belief that only men could ever achieve the glory of the Quidditch World Cup.

The Holyhead Harpies would beg to differ.

Since its inception in 1203 AD, the team from Holyhead, in the region of Wales has only hired Witches for its team. And despite its lack of wizards, has done quite well for itself.

“Holyhead ‘s never wanted for men, nor would we want for ‘em now,” says Captain Gwenog Jones, considered a heroine by many of the young women of the small town in North Wales for which the team is named. “T’ Harpies have always done well in the past, and ‘ll continue to be in the future.”

Indeed, the Harpies claim to fame includes one of the finest matches of all time, the great 7 day match against the Heidelberg Harriers in 1943. Even the infamous Kennilworthy Whisp, author of “Quidditch Through the Ages” called it one of the finest games ever played.

These Days, the Harpies can be seen battling it out around the country, keeping time with teams like the Tutshill Tornadoes and Puddlemere United.

Many wizards have tried to find their way onto Holyhead’s team—there have been a record 714 attempts at concealment by male wizards in one way or another.

But not one of those attempts has ever been successful.

“As though men could even fathom how to be women,” snorts Cherrie Cuphill, one of the Holyhead Chasers. “Each time they try, they think they’ve got it—and they don’t.”

Despite appeals to the Ministry of Magic’s Department of Magical Games and Sports, no changes to the Holyhead system will be made this year--or any other year. "There are how many bloomin' all male or part male teams in England?" scoffs a Ministry representative. "If you're not good enough to get on one of them, you're not good enough to be a Harpy. End of story."

What will be expected is a change in status. This year, the Harpies aim to successfully defeat their region teams and claim championship rights.

“Its only a matter of time before the Harpies can represent England in the Quidditch Cup,” says Jones. “With this year’s team, it doesn’ matter how many wizards can swing ta bat…we’ll end up defeatin’ ‘em in the end.”


Upcoming Quidditch Matches (GB Teams):

Appleby Arrows v. Wimbourne Wasps
Ballycastle Bats v. Montrose Magpies
Caerphilly Catapults v. Falmouth Falcons
Chudley Cannons v. Holyhead Harpies
Kenmare Kestrals v. Pride of Portree
Puddlemere United (Timway) v. Wigtown Wanderers
Tutshill Tornadoes: Off

Hogwarts Standings:

Hogwarts season commences in November, with the traditional opener, Gryffindor vs. Slytherin.