The Australian Quidditch Association are very proud to announce that Australia will be joining the USA and UK in competing at the exhibition matches in Oxford during the 2012 Summer Games!

At present, twelve players have been confirmed, with more to come. So, without any further adue, meet the current members of Team Australia:

Team Australia

Samuel Washington – Victorian Quidditch Association (Melbourne, Vic) – Beater

An imposing presence on the field, Sam is a handyman by trade and enjoys camping and beard-stroking in his time off.

Jennifer Meers – Victorian Quidditch Association (Melbourne, Vic) – Chaser

One of the major driving forces behind the effort to send an Australian team to the Summer Games, Jenn has been promoting and fundraising for the event since she first heard of its existence, even starting a blog on the topic. Jenn can often be found in a Hufflepuff scarf and working at the Australian Youth Climate Coalition (but possibly not at the same time).

Katrina Young – Victorian Quidditch Association (Melbourne, Vic) – Beater

A talented freelance illustrator, Kat is as impressive with a Bludger as she is with a pencil. She also enjoys collecting swords and playing with her brand new puppy.

Richard Southerton – Australian National University (Canberra, ACT) – Beater/Chaser

An odd predilection towards Muggle sports actually seems to have placed Richie in good stead for Quidditch; as a Beater he is scarily accurate over long distances, and as a Chaser he’s quick enough to be at the other end of the pitch with the quaffle before the other team realizes they’ve lost possession. Richie recently graduated from his Human Ecology degree and, as such, is planning a two-month holiday in the UK to coincide with the Olympics.

Katherine Hunter – Victorian Quidditch Association (Melbourne, Victoria) – Seeker

A qualified personal trainer, Katherine has been inspiring her teammates at the VQA since the founding of the team. Katherine enjoys things with bows on them, and recently won a free trip to the US!

James Balodis – Victorian Quidditch Association (Melbourne, Vic) - Keeper

The mysterious one of the team, James enjoys trenchcoats, wearing sunglasses indoors, and… juggling. One can see how this would make him an excellent Keeper!

Matthew Armstrong - Australian National University (Canberra, ACT) – Seeker/Chaser

Matt made a name for himself at 2011′s QUAFL Cup by jumping off tall buildings and, afterwards, becoming the first ever Australian featured on the Tumblr ‘damnthatsakeeper’, much to the amusement of his teammates. Matt joined the ANU Quidditch team when he was still in high school and has since moved on to study Design at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga, but that doesn’t seem to have stopped him from coming to every Quidditch event run by his original team.

Bethany Crane – University of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW) – Chaser

The fearless leader of the current Australian champions, Beth somehow finds time out from that and her Engineering degree to maintain a photography blog, teach herself geography, and sing endless Disney songs.

Fiona Morland – Australian National University (Canberra, ACT) – Beater

Fiona has been beating for ANU Slytherin since last year, and is known amongst the team as the one that always brings cupcakes! She is also an avid cosplayer, video-gamer and anime fan.

Natasha Roberts – Australian National University (Canberra, ACT) – Chaser

The youngest member of the team and still in high school, Tash has been working hard to establish Australia’s first high school Quidditch team. Tash comes from a basketball background, and brings those skills to every single Quidditch training, along with an unfaltering smile!

Katie Filippello – Australian National University (Canberra, ACT) – Chaser

Katie started playing Quidditch for the ANU Slytherin team in 2011, and quickly impressed everyone with her amazing knack for always being in the right place at the right time. She prides herself on her skill with a lightsaber, and has given up trying to tell people how to spell her surname.