The UK's national Quidditch team will pay two friends £600 to fly to Florence for the sport's World Cup this summer - flights and accommodation included
- The UK's national quidditch team is seeking two friends to act as 'runners' for the squad during the Quidditch World Cup in Florence, Italy this summer.
- The friends will be paid £600 with travel and accommodation included.
- They will cheer the team on from the benches, help with water, and pass on important information.
- The sport was adapted from the Harry Potter series - and players must all have a broom between their legs.
The UK's national quidditch team is looking for new members - and they're willing to pay them £600 and throw in a free trip to Italy.
Team UK has joined up with "digital noticeboard" Airtasker to look for two "passionate runners" to assist the team at the fourth IQA (International Quidditch Association) World Cup this summer, which will see 30 teams gather in Florence, Italy between June 27 and July 2 to play an adaptation of the magical sport which was made famous by the Harry Potter series.
The lucky pair will be paid £600 to travel to Italy and cheer the team on from the benches, according to an ad posted on the Airtasker platform by the Team UK Captain, and will help with water, passing on "important messages," and further supporting the coach "in all the vital decisions to knock the opposing teams off their brooms."
"We're on form, we're fully trained and we're ready to take on the best of the best," the ad reads. "Last year we won bronze, but we're soaring and ready to snatch gold from the reigning world champs, the Australian Dropbears."
Team UK will cover the cost of travel, accommodation, and some expenses for both the winner and their "sidekick."
While the schedule looks busy, they added that "there will definitely be time to go exploring and soak up the atmosphere."
The job post adds that "enthusiasm is a must, ensuring you carry the team spirit throughout each game."
The team has made six appearances globally since its international debut in 2012, including taking bronze at the 2016 World Cup in Frankfurt.
Quidditch, a mixed-gender sport, takes inspiration from both dodgeball and rugby to create "an exciting and fast-paced sport enjoyed by over 800 players and 40 teams over the UK," according to the team.
A match involves two teams of seven players aiming to score as many points as possible - all the while with a broom between their legs.
Here they are in action:
Points are scored when a player, or "chaser," throws the "quaffle" or volleyball through the opposing team's hoops, which are protected by a "keeper."
Meanwhile, two "beaters" on each team throw "bludgers" - or dodgeballs - at opposing players to try and knock them out of the game.
However, the whole thing ends if either team's "seeker" catches the "snitch" - a tag attached to the shorts of the "snitch runner."
If you live in the UK and are over 18, you can apply by signing up to Airtasker and making an offer on the post telling the team who you would bring along and "how you'll both bring your A-game to this task."
Applications close at midnight on Sunday, June 17, 2018.