Welcome.

Let’s not skip that word as if it’s a standard introduction. It might be so for many websites, but not for this one. Here, it’s a sincere invitation. Whether you’ve found your way to our website as a Harry Potter fan wanting to try quidditch ‘in real life’, as someone who simply loves sports and is looking for a challenge, or just because you are interested in our team as a friend, family member, sponsor, or a curious visitor, you are welcome here.

The Ghent Gargoyles were given their current name on May 19, 2014. Although there was mention of a Ghent team  in September 2013, it wasn’t until May 11, 2014 that the first initiation practice would take place. This initiation was a direct consequence of the WizardWear quidditch Cup at a fantasy fair (Elfia Haarzuilens), where I personally discovered that quidditch is much more than running around on a broomstick, pretending to fly. It’s a sport. A darned intense and agressive sport. It really is a miracle that I gave the sport a second chance after this first deafening defeat. But I don’t regret my decision.

There is something addictive about quidditch. The sport offers so many different things that everyone can find something they like about it. There’s the physical as well as the mental challenge, but even more than this challenge, it’s the atmosphere which keeps you coming back for more. It’s people with different backgrounds and identities, people with a passion for sports or people looking for originality, people that may very well be opposites, still coming together as one team. That is quidditch. And that is also the Gargoyles’ message.

Things evolved rapidly after the first initiation. Our players chipped in to buy some basic equipment, and we started to organize weekly, even biweekly practices. We got more organized, elected a board, found a slogan, created a logo, a website.  It became more and more real every single day, and it still does. The media has discovered quidditch in Europe, and the Gargoyles are almost ready to start playing their first games. Our hashtag #BewareOfTheGargoyles shows that we are a team to be reckoned with in the quidditch world. We’re a young team, but we’re a strong one.

When I look back at where we were months ago, and compare that to where we are now, I can only be proud. Proud to be able to call myself the president of this team of amazing people that are evolving so rapidly together. Every single one of them exemplifies the values we try to uphold through our slogan ‘spread your wings and show your horns’: dare to rise above yourself, dare to stand up for yourself and your team.

On our website, you can find more information about our players, the board, our practices, games, and sponsors. Should you need additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us through the form on the website. We don’t bite. Hard.

On behalf of the team, I once again bid you welcome.

Joke Daems

President of the Ghent Gargoyles