Harry Potter fans agree with Quidditch name change, argue JK Rowling isn't main reason

Even if you only have a very casual understanding of Harry Potter, you’ll likely know that Quidditch is the most popular Wizarding World sport.

The game is played across an oval pitch, atop broomsticks of course.

Each team earns 10 points for every quaffle - one of the three types of ball - they throw through a goal hoop, a role usually carried out by chasers.

A keeper attempts to block these, while beaters distract chasers and seekers by aiming bludgers at them - dodgeball-esque balls.

Finally, the seeker is awarded 150 points for catching the Golden Snitch - a position famously occupied by Harry Potter himself.

The sport has actually taken off in real life, although clearly us mere mortals cannot ride atop a broom with players instead running around on a wooden stick with their feet firmly on the ground.

I’ll admit, it looks a little odd but Quidditch has really proved to be popular. I recall walking past games back when I was at university.

In recent years though, the real life iteration of the sport has drifted away from the name Quidditch, instead referring to itself as quadball.

In part, this was to distance the sport from Harry Potter author JK Rowling following her numerous transphobic controversies.

“The name change indicates a firm stance with our trans players and members,” the QuidditchUK governing body previously said.

Fans can partake in virtual Quidditch games thanks to the newly launched Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions.

It’s a move that’s been supported by much of the Harry Potter community since it was announced.

You see, naturally, fans want the sport to thrive.

And while distancing quadball from JK Rowling is one way to do that, so too does it protect the sport from any copyright issues.

“Sponsorship is a part of almost any sport's growth, but that's always been a hard line we couldn't cross,” wrote Reddit user supapwn404.

Accompanying the discussion was a poll recording that 49% of fans agreed with the name change, with 9% more unsure and 14% wanting to “see how things go”.

QuidditchUK itself has confirmed how the name change has “[given] us more firm legal footing and opening up greater opportunities for funding and external partners."

All in all, it sounds as if the change is for the better.