In the Harry Potter series, Rowling introduced young readers to a rich and detailed magical world. In the books, young witches and wizards like Harry Potter attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. At this secret boarding school, their professors teach them spells, potions, defense against the dark arts, and other wizarding skills. One of the most exciting features of attending Hogwarts is learning the wizarding world’s favorite sport: Quidditch.

In the books, the sport is presented as an exciting and sometimes dangerous game that fosters athletics, teamwork, community, and healthy competition. Each of the school’s four houses—Slytherin, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Gryffindor—has its own Quidditch team, and the teams regularly compete on the school’s pitch. The Quidditch games not only entertain the school’s students and teachers, but teams also earn points for their house by winning games. Being on the Quidditch team is a privilege earned through skill and hard work. With only seven players on each team, students must successfully prove their skills in try-outs to make the team. Since they are eagerly watched by the whole school, characters’ performances in Quidditch matches affect their self-esteem and social standing.

In the first book of the series, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Harry impresses Professor McGonagall with his natural talent for flying during his first lesson on his broom.