Quidditch (in Czech called „famfrpál“) is a modern team sport getting more and more popular in Europe nowadays. It is played by mixed teams of both guys and girls, there are up to 5 balls in gameplay and players are divided into 4 different positions, each with a different aim. Sure, we do fly on brooms, sometimes are hit by a bludger and at the end, we catch the snitch … but everything is slightly different than what you may think. It is a real sport, where you need no robes nor magic wands. That’s why it is officially called muggle quidditch. But this doesn’t mean it is no fun because it really is 🙂

Although quidditch originates in the fantasy world of Harry Potter, it’s an absolutely real sport combining features of handball, rugby and dodgeball. The most important in quidditch is the cooperation between players of different positions, stamina and good strategy. Anyway, in quidditch, everyone can find his/her own role and aim. It doesn’t matter if you just like sports, are looking for unusual outdoor activity or wanna have afternoon fun during your exchange stay. Come to play with us and join the very first Czech quidditch team OCCAMY OLOMOUC. We have usually 1–2 open practises every week during the spring and autumn seasons taking place in the picturesque landscape of Olomouc city parks. We will be more than happy to see new faces there.

Now, we are a group of 15-ish players aged 16–26 years composed mostly of students of Palacký University, secondary schools as well as postgraduates. Some come play every week, some just twice in the semester … we are very flexible and open to that. Our training sessions are open to the public so that anyone can come to join us playing (preferably) or at least watching. We have all the necessary equipment and will teach you how to play. You need only some sports clothing, trainers and a bottle of water to drink. Moreover, you can join us by going to several international tournaments every year. That is a great possibility to improve your skills, visit interesting places and meet new friends. We are members of the Czech Quidditch Association and our players also play for the Czech national quidditch team.

Quidditch is popular namely in English-speaking countries (UK, USA, Kanada, Australia), Western and Northern Europe (France, Spain, Germany, Norway) and Turkey. There are also many teams in Central Europe. It was our team (that time called UPOL Quidditch) which was the first in Czechia. It was formed in 2015 by student Markéta Štovíčková after coming back from her Erasmus exchange internship in Trondheim (Norway), where she played for local NTNUI Rumpeldunk quidditch team. Later, the next 2 Czech teams Prague Pegasus and Brno Banshees were founded. The beginnings of quidditch in Czechia have been well captured in a short documentary film Game in the air. In early 2017, the Olomouc team was renamed to its current name – Occamy Olomouc. Also, teams in the city of Liberec and the town of Hodonín were trying to be established. In last year, new teams Budweis Bigfoots and Phoenixes Plzeň were founded.

You can check our facebookook site for current practices dates. Don’t forget to follow us there in order not to miss any single practice.