presents

Artificial Turf: Rookie of the year?

This season Exmoor Stadium rolled out the red carpet for some green, new artificial turf that is. Last January during the Wizarding Environment Rejuvenation and Protection Summit (W.E.R.P.S) the artificial was a hot topic of conversation at the Summit. Questions of cost, efficiency, and the maintenance were major concerns with the protesters. Most people were wondering why was the artificial turf being pushed and why was it so important to try it out on Quidditch pitches.

When asked about the trial run for the artificial turf had gone, Mr. Lucas Hawthorne, Quidditch Public relations officer for the Department of Games and Sports at the Ministry of Magic, has given us at the Daily Prophet this statement: "I certainly think that the artificial turf trial run went well given the pros and cons of both artifical and the natural turf. I have been approached by several players and regular peopel who are leaning towards artificial turfs. Of course there are some who firmly stated that they will be sticking to the latter. That aside, we will continue with these trials and soon, some pitches will permanently have artificial turfs.”

Now that artificial turf seems to be here to stay the big question is when can we start getting it installed in our yards at home?

Local fresh faces

Last summer U17 team had three players that have signed with Professional teams. These three have just graduated and are heading to professional Quidditch; Zinnia Shacklebolt and Henry Whittebrook were signed with Kenmare Kestrels, whereas Daisy Carden, signed with Quiberon Quafflepunchers in France. With the announcement of the ban on quidditch at Hogwarts being lifted it will be nice to see more fresh and familiar faces on your teams in the coming years.

Trades, Retirements, Predictions and Rumors

One of the biggest breaking news in trades is the trade of former Wanderers chaser West Odessa to the Magpies the team that his wife, Alice also plays for. It will be interesting to see how well these two will do on the pitch on the same team. Can they prove to be the power couple they are on the pitch now as well as they do off of the pitch?

With the Magpies winning the season, we can’t wait to see how they will do next season. The predictions are saying they will have another winning year, while others say that Kestrels with their young blood has a chance to dominate next season. As with every season, it really could be anyone’s year.

Joe Franks-Mundie played his last season, this past season, retiring due to a shoulder injury. But others say it’s his age that is the biggest reasoning behind his retirement. There are many other aging players, rumors of them retiring after next season, Carter Philiips, chaser for Puddlemere has been with the team since 2076-2077 season many have speculated his retirement in the next few years if not after this season. Another could be Nia Newtington Ballycastle chaser, one of the oldest active players will be out for the first few weeks of play due to a torn muscle in her shoulder. Maybe that’s a sign that it’s time for Nia to hang up the broom.