When people say the word “Quidditch,” images of flying broomsticks from J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter” stories likely jump to mind.
For Kym Couch, a graduate of Mountain Valley High School in Rumford and a senior at Boise State University in Idaho, Quidditch is not just a fictional sport. As of August, it’s her new job.
Couch was hired as the Northwest regional director of the United States Quidditch group, a nonprofit organization that attempts to govern the sport of Quidditch throughout the country.
In the Harry Potter series, Quidditch teams consisted of three “chasers” who attempted to throw a ball called the quaffle through a series of three hoops, which gave them 10 points each, and a “keeper” who guarded the hoops. Each team had two “beaters” who attempted to hit balls called “bludgers” at other players. The final position was the “seeker,” who sought out the “snitch,” a small ball that flew around the field and ended the game when caught. All seven players in Rowling’s fictional game flew around on broomsticks while playing.
In U.S. Quidditch, players use volleyballs and dodge balls in lieu of the fictional “quaffles” and “bludgers,” and they tuck a broomstick between their legs and must hold onto it while playing.
According to the U.S. Quidditch website, Quidditch is a “co-ed contact sport with a unique mix of elements from rugby, dodge ball and tag” in which two teams of seven players mounted on broomsticks attempt to score points.
Quidditch was founded in 2005 at Middlebury College by student Xander Manshel, according to the website, and the U.S. Quidditch Group became a nonprofit organization in 2010.
Couch, formerly of Rumford, is heading into her fourth year at Boise State as a political science major with a double minor in American Sign Language and theater. She has her sights set on attending law school after graduation. Her plate is full, with juggling classes, coaching her school’s Quidditch team and serving as regional director.
Couch said her journey toward involvement with the U.S. Quidditch group began in 2012, shortly after she graduated from Mountain Valley High School.
“I played different sports all throughout middle and high school,” Couch said. “I played field hockey and did dance, and I loved it. After I graduated, I heard that a couple of my friends had been playing Quidditch. I knew Quidditch from ‘Harry Potter,’ as everyone probably does, but I didn’t realize it was an actual sport.”
Using YouTube videos as a reference point, Couch learned the rules of Quidditch and, upon attending Boise State University in 2012, “thought it would be cool” for the school to start a team. With the help of a fellow Boise State student, Couch created the team, and starting in December 2012, she began serving as team manager.
The team is called the Boise State Abraxans, named after a fictional winged horse in the “Harry Potter” series.
Couch served as team manager until 2014, when she became the Abraxans’ first non-playing coach. On July 1, the U.S. Quidditch group announced it was forming a Northwest region that would include Boise State University.
“As soon as I heard about it, I said, ‘Heck yeah; I want to sign up for that!'” Couch said. “I filled out all of the paperwork, and I heard back from them shortly after, saying that they wanted to offer me the job.”
Alexis Bristor, teams director for U.S. Quidditch, said in a news release that Couch’s personality was a key factor in her hiring.
“She is one of the most positive and enthusiastic people I have had the pleasure to meet in Quidditch, and that, mixed with her go-get-’em attitude, will go a long way in this position,” Bristor said.
As a regional director, Couch will travel to schools throughout the Northwest to help them get their teams off the ground and will assist in the organization of other teams for the region.
As of August, Boise State University is the only official team in the region, though Couch said there are at least eight schools that will likely join the region by the start of the season.
“This year, Boise State University had 59 people show up to the first Quidditch practice of the season, which is a huge number,” Couch said. “We’re expecting over 70 to be here by the start of the season. I know that there are several schools that have created teams, and it’s just a matter of organizing before our region grows.”
Couch said one major difference between Quidditch and other sports and is Quidditch’s gender equality policy. U.S. Quidditch ensures that its policies promote gender equality and inclusiveness.
“In the books, there are boys and girls mixed on both teams, not separate teams for each gender,” Couch said. “I can’t think of another sport that does that.”
Couch said the teams across the country follow the “Four Maximum” rule, which says that each team must have “a maximum of four players that identify with the same gender.”
The key word is identify, Couch said. “According to the rule book of Quidditch, Quidditch teams accept people who don’t ‘fit within the gender binary.’ I feel that when it comes to gender issues like this, Quidditch is a pioneer.”
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- Kym Couch, a graduate of Mountain Valley High School in Rumford and a senior at Boise State University in Boise, Idaho, keeps score at a Quidditch game. Couch was hired recently as the Northwest regional director of the United States Quidditch group.
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