Back at the 2018/19 AGM we introduced an amendment to QuidditchUK’s constitution which gave every member of the Executive Management Team a fixed two year term. This change helps reduce EMT volunteer burnout and also adds an extra level of accountability into our management. 

With the announcement back in April this year shining light on the executive roles of President & Gameplay Director up for grabs. Matt Bateman and Eamonn Harrison were successfully re-elected into the same positions they applied for in 2019 unopposed by any external applications. As July closes, it is vital that we push the reminder for our Vice President's fixed term is up with a couple of weeks left on the clock for re-election! 

Abby Whiteley, current QuidditchUK Vice President, had this to say about her handy work over the last two years:
"The exciting thing about the VP role is that you get to take on projects that really interest you and run with them. For example, in my time at QuidditchUK I've led on Covid-19 strategy; run round tables and surveys with players to design our seasons; and I'm currently working on a project to createmediaresources for club committees! Basically, you get to be involved in all the most important and interesting conversations in the sport at a national and international level, work with great people, and help to improve quidditch in the UK and beyond!"

With our Media Director stepping down at the end of  June and a replacement for Sam Instone in the works, the only other fixed term that is ending within 2021 as mentioned previously is our Events Director role who's fixed term comes to an end in December.  If you’re looking for a role with a little less responsibility, there are a bunch of other senior and junior positions currently listed on our website so definitely check those out!



As July closes, it is vital that we push the reminder for our Vice President's fixed term is up with a couple of weeks left on the clock for re-election!

Window Of Opportunity Opens As VP Fixed Term Closes

Window Of Opportunity Opens As VP Fixed Term Comes To A Close

QuidditchUK are saddened to announce that after his two year tenure leading the Media Department, Sam Instone has elected to step down from his position as Media Director, leaving a strong legacy and resounding impact across the creative and communication elements of QuidditchUK.

Since coming on board he has revitalised the department from the ground up: Recruiting, leading and growing a passionate team of volunteers who are creating written works, graphic design, social media, photography and film. Sam's own relentlessness has seen him rebuilding much of the imagrey and branding of our sport here in the UK, having a notable hand in the website redesign, as well as several branding and design creations across our clubs and programmes.

Though we're certain this isn't the last we will see of Sam in a QuidditchUK role, we would still like to thank him for his time, his enthusiasm, his ideas, and above all his infectiously charming energy. He has been an ever positive presence within the Executive Management Team, and we're excited (and envious) for wherever he sends his talents next.

He leaves behind a strong and passionate department, and flashes of media brilliance across the things he's made for us over the years.

Thank you for your time and selfless service Sam, and all the best.

For those interested, the Media Director role is now live on our Volunteers page.

We are seeking an engaged individual to step up into the position and lead the QuidditchUK Media Department, and also take part in the Executive Management Team to have a hand in shaping the next chapter of our sport.

If this sounds like something you're interested in, we strongly encourage you to reach out to either Sam, or our Volunteers Director, Josh Fogg. Any of them would love the chance to speak with you about the role or QuidditchUK, and even if you don't intend on applying it could be a great insight into how we work and where you might fit in somewhere else.

Sam Instone Steps Down

Back at the 2018/19 AGM we introduced an amendment to QuidditchUK’s constitution which gave every member of the Executive Management Team a fixed two year term. This change helps reduce EMT volunteer burnout and also adds an extra level of accountability into our management. For the first time since it’s implementation, this April we’ll be seeing this provision in practice!

Eamonn Harrison’s current term as Gameplay Director comes to an end on April 9th, and similarly Matt Bateman’s term as President on May 14th. From April 1st through to 30th both those roles are open to applications for anyone to apply for!

Both Matt and Eamonn intend to reapply for their positions with the hope of continuing their work overseeing the exit from COVID-19 and our move to the new season structure. As part of this process though anyone can apply for either role through a fair and open application process. If you know someone who you think would be a good fit for those roles do encourage them to apply.

Here’s what Eamonn has to say about being Gameplay Director:

The Gameplay Director position is a key one for helping shape the direction of the sport, especially after the fallow period we’re just starting to come out of. Being able to lead decisions on how match officials are trained, what the rules of the sport are within the UK, and how tournaments are structured to ensure fair and exciting competitions is very rewarding,

And here’s a little from Matt about being QuidditchUK’s President:

The role of President is maturing alongside the sport - it’s an exciting time to be a part of QuidditchUK with everything happening both in the United Kingdom and abroad. We’re now starting to see the first glimpses of maturity come into the community, and I’m really excited to continue to be a part of that growth and change as we enter a new chapter.

Other roles with terms ending this year are Vice President & Media (July), and Events (December). If you’re looking for a role with a little less responsibility, there are a bunch of other senior and junior positions currently listed on our website so definitely check those out!

Back at the 2018/19 AGM we introduced an amendment to QuidditchUK’s constitution which gave every member of the Executive Management Team a fixed two year term. This change helps reduce EMT volunteer burnout and also adds an extra level of accountability into our management. For the first time since it’s implementation, this April we’ll be seeing this provision in practice!

New Fixed Term Policy For Executive Volunteer Positions

We regret to announce the stepping down of our Expansion Director, Kehua Li, who joined the Executive Management Team in late 2018 up until late 2020, when he officially retired after a two year stint just before the turn of the new year. 

Known as 'Kevin' by many, including his friends and players alike across the community, the Unspeakables star worked with us on expanding British quidditch nationwide. Kevin's picked up a lot of valuable experience under his belt over the years, from large scale feats such as further incorporation of English, Welsh and Scottish regional teams into the bigger picture; to small scale projects involving grants and various funds, including setting up and/or retaining recruitment especially at the start of a new season. 

Unfortunately, Kevin wasn't available to make any comment on his time within the role as Expansion Director (previously Outreach). 

Regardless, from all of us as QuidditchUK: We wish Kevin all the best for the future, whatever he decides to do with it - we'll be behind you every step of the way! Thank you for everything. 

Kevin's successor could be YOU if you're interested in working with QuidditchUK in developing the UK quidditch scene even more than it currently stands at the moment. The playing field is definitely changing with an uprise of Community teams and retention of core University clubs, with you help and ideas - we can definitely create awesome legacy for you to be proud of!

The Expansion Director role will be live on our Volunteers page on our website for approximately one week maximum. If anyone's interested in taking up the mantle of an Executive volunteering role within QuidditchUK - this could be the role for you! Alternatively, if you're interested in helping out the Expansion Department regardless in a less 'Senior' position - we have Northern & Southern Expansion Manager positions live on our website as well for you to look at if you're hungry to make a different. 

For more information on the role, and any other questions and queries you have regarding the year ahead - Contact Us!



We regret to announce the stepping down of our Expansion Director, Kehua Li, who joined the Executive Management Team in late 2018 up until late 2020, when he officially retired after a two year stint just before the turn of the new year.

Expansion Director Kehua Li Retires From Role

Bringing experience of both playing and volunteering for QuidditchUK previously, Joshua Fogg is eager to continue the work of previous Volunteers Directors, such as Molly Maurice-Smith and Mary Diomande, and push the role even further.

Whilst lockdown has halted many aspects of life, Joshua has kept themself busy by doing a lot of reading which is currently focused on historical fiction. When many of us have been forced to stick to the indoors, Joshua’s family have managed to find a way to bring the outdoors IN by furnishing their house with plants to the extent that it is now overflowing with leafy greens.

Joshua’s sporting experience includes playing with Manchester for four years and Olympians for a part of last season. Since lockdown has halted this, Joshua has spent the time reflecting upon what they could do to further contribute to quidditch’s development. This period of reflection has triggered Joshua’s step to the role of New Volunteers Director – following Interim Volunteers Director, Meredith Whitning, who has been crucial to bringing on board a staggering number of volunteers during her reign in the position. All of QuidditchUK would like to thank Meredith for her dedication and hard work in the position as well as wishing Joshua well in their new role!

Harnessing their passion for volunteer recruitment, Joshua wanted to say a few words regarding their new role:

“Volunteer recruitment, retention, and well-being are big passions of mine and I’m excited to continue the great work of previous Volunteers Directors and take it further. Special shout out to Meredith who has been absolutely rocking it in the interim! At the moment QUK is in a better place than it has been volunteers wise and it’s important we sustain and improve on that for the challenging season to come.”

Joshua’s passion will, without a doubt, make a huge impact on the volunteer division and we can’t wait to see what they bring to the team! From everyone at QuidditchUK, welcome to the team!

Photo Credit: Simon Blackshaw (The Dislodged Hoop)

Previous Operations Director, Joshua Fogg, returns to the Executive Management Team as the new Volunteers Director starting immediately to get the 2020/21 season in gear with recruitment.

The Return of Joshua Fogg. QUK's New Volunteers Director

The Return of Joshua Fogg: QUK's New Volunteers Director

We're delighted to welcome on-board James King-Nickol who has succeeded Harry Smith as the new Teams Director for QuidditchUK. James has been a regular attendee of Executive Management Team meetings for the last month now and is already getting stuck in by helping all of our current and new & upcoming clubs dive into the new season with all the support they can get. 

Most of our athletes may have heard about James' presence on pitch (not to be taken for granted!) for what seems like half a decade, in actual fact he only started playing the sport in 2018! Currently a competitive dodgeball player in his spare time outside playing quidditch, James found us by first beating for Manchester University Quidditch Club and then moving onwards with Olympians Quidditch Club from the beginning of last season to aid the community club towards their first podium finish at Northern Cup 2019, claiming the runners-up silver medal. Rumour has it that James almost skipped out on the first day of this year's European Qualifier Tournament, which saw the Olympians qualify for Division 2 of the European Quidditch Club, now being hosted in 2021.  (You could say they were pretty happy he changed his mind!)


Whilst getting fully integrated into the role, James had this to mention to us on the subject of his status as an Executive volunteer.
"Next season's going to be an interesting one. I'm sure the new structure will keep many teams on their toes and make things busy for me, but I'm determined to further establish what resources are available for teams. I'll always be on the lookout for new ideas to develop the sport further and to have clear communication between QUK and clubs through the coming changes. I'm also looking forward to my Olympians teammate James Gratton joining me as working together we can devote more time to progress the sport."

Blending in nicely to the next section of this announcement, James has had the good fortune of recruiting his fellow Olympian, James Gratton, to jump on as the first ever Assistant Teams Director. This is a really exciting moment for QuidditchUK, as the chemistry between both King-Nickol and Gratton is unmatched. You may have seen James' name previously appear credited on our early releases of the QuidditchUK Newsletter,  in which Mr Gratton assisted the publishing team by brainstorming different ideas for puzzles to keep readers engaged by introducing a competitive element to complete the games. 

Gratton first got involved in quidditch before his superior and fellow teammate, King-Nickol, by playing for Sheffield Quidditch Club in Autumn 2016 just on the off chance of really enjoying going to a one-off 'give it a go' session. James remembers: 
"As with most people in the sport, I got super sucked into the sport as I played with Sheffield's debut Northern in 2016. We then went on to come 20th at BQC I believe. Kept on playing through my year in industry and then came back to coach Sheffield in my final year of university."

After graduating from the University of Sheffield, James shared the same journey as mentioned previously by joining Olympians Quidditch Club to continue playing as a Beater, with no intentions to stop anytime soon. Focusing on his role as Assistant Director to the Teams Department, James had this to say:


"I'm excited to be involved in a larger role to help quidditch in the UK, I enjoyed the sport and want to be part of making it just as enjoyable for others. I'm most forward to working on new projects and using my previous blend of university and community experiences to solve the challenges facing quidditch today such as the transition to the uni/community split and providing the needed resources for university teams (especially post COVID-19!)."

Welcome James² to QuidditchUK and thank you both for volunteering to lend your services in growing the department from the ground up! We're wishing both the Olympians all the best of luck throughout their times in their respected roles, and who knows, perhaps they'll be another Olympian who's on their way to follow in their footsteps? 

Photo Credit: Simon Blackshaw (The Dislodged Hoop) & Kurt Fairhurst (QuidditchUK)

James King-Nickol joins the Executive Management Team as the latest Teams Director, bringing with him fellow teammate, James Gratton who joins QuidditchUK as the first ever Assistant Teams Director in the department's history.

Executive News

Window Of Opportunity Opens As VP Fixed Term Comes To A Close

Sam Instone Steps Down

New Fixed Term Policy For Executive Volunteer Positions

Expansion Director Kehua Li Retires From Role

The Return of Joshua Fogg: QUK's New Volunteers Director

James King-Nickol Grows Teams Department As The New Executive Director