Y35 Gryffindor Quidditch Tryouts

[Jacob Kingsley]

Jacob hadn't been able to sleep the night before. He was so worried about whether he'd filled out the right paperwork to request the right time for tryouts, that he had everything he needed to run tryouts, and about whether he was really ready to captain the team on his own. Jacob had never done it before. He'd always had someone with him, but as he entered the pitch later the following day, it was alone. The pitch loomed around him as he worked to gather some extra brooms for students who came to try out who didn't have any. Then he began his warm ups. Even though he knew he wouldn't have much opportunity to practice, Jacob wanted to establish good habits.

He waited until he spotted some familiar faces, happy to see some of his old teammates return. When he began to see a bunch of new faces, Jacob jumped up and cleared his throat. "Hi Gryffindors. I'm, uh, Jacob Kingsley. Your captain" he began nervously but continued on. "So we have a few vacancies and then a bunch of alternate positions to fill so let's get started. Returning members, feel free to practice together, with some of the people trying out, alone. Everyone else, step forward, tell me your name and what position you're trying out for. And then show me your stuff- speed, skill, you name it. Leave it all on the pitch." Jacob took a deep breath and waited for the first person to step forward.

Current Team

Seeker
Willow Cullen

Keeper
Vacant

Beaters
Jacob Kingsley
Gwen Owens- Lee

Chasers
Vacant
Vacant
Jemma Potter


Out of Character:

Returning players are guaranteed their spots as long as they post attendance in this thread before tryouts are over. Returning alternates must try out again.

First years must PM me if they want to try out. No first years will be allowed to try out unless there are not enough older students.

 

[Fleur van Houten]

Fleur had not regretted signing up for the Gryffindor team. She may not be as invested in winning as most of her teammates, but she really did enjoy being part of a team. Fleur had been happy enough being an alternate, but she was glad she'd gotten the chance to play a bit last year. Now, she hoped she could secure a permanent spot, even if it was her final year. She showed up to Tryouts with a grin, waiting for it to begin. Fleur quite liked Jacob, and was proud of him for taking over the team on his own. She gave him a small thumbs up after his speech, then waited for her turn to try out.

when her turn came up, Fleur stepped forward with an easy smile. "Fleur van Houten, trying out for chaser." She said, though she doubted it really needed to be said anymore. She got on her broom and caught the quaffle as it was passed to her. Fleur flew a circle around the pitch to warm up quickly, then raced to the northern goal and threw the quaffle at the goalposts. She cheered when the quaffle went in, and flew off. She got hold of the quaffle again after a few other chasers passed back and forth, then attempted to score again. Fleur was happy as she managed to score again. She got to attempt three more times, and missed only one of them of them. Four out of five wasn't bad, and Fleur felt fairly confident as she landed.

 

[Willow Cullen]

Willow made her way to the quidditch pitch. She knew that since last year she was guaranteed her spot back on the team so long as she shouted up. She got there and smiled. hey jake. Good luck filling all the spots she said. There were not more spots than she had ever seen on the team. She then went over to fleur her grin widening. hey fleur. Good luck today not that you need it. she said giving her friend a hug before standing next to her. Fleur was a better chaser than some of the people who had graduated but had been kept from the position by thee same rule that guaranteed her hers. Once it was time to begin she took to the sky catching a couple of stitches before helping out wherever she was needed. Sure she was the seeker but she has been an alternative for long enough that she knew the basics of each of the other positions.

 

[Solomon Tofilau]

Sully was mostly trying out on a whim. He'd half forgotten about tryouts last year and while he'd not gotten much flying practice outside of their first year lessons, he figured it couldn't be that hard. He'd seen enough of Gryffindor's games to get the hang of it. Just like riding a bike. Several feet off the ground. Sully could ride a bike without holding onto the handlebars, it'd be fine.

Swinging one of the school brooms from his shoulder, Sully happily stepped forward for his turn, giving Jacob Kingsley a big grin. "Sully Tofilau, trying out for chaser," He announced before swinging a leg over the broom and kicking off. He managed to catch a quaffle pass from one of the other players, wobbling precariously for a few moments before he could adjust his balance and get used to flying while holding it. It fit pretty well under his arm though and Sully was able to steer himself over to the goal posts using his other hand. Not wanting to slow down, Sully tried to lob the quaffle into a goal as he zipped past, sighing when it went wide and he had to slowly descend down to pick it up and try again. Taking it slower, Sully squared up with the Keeper, and while his next shot was blocked, he managed to fake them out on the his third attempt with a dramatic feint and cheered as the quaffle sailed through the hoops. He could definitely get the hang of this, Sully thought, going for a victory lap before touching down.

 

[Christian Cade]

It felt like a good time to finally try out for the Quidditch team given the number of empty spaces, one of them being left by his recently graduated cousin Jess. He was glad he wouldn't have to play alongside his cousin, there would be a certain amount of pressure playing in the shadow of an elder relative, he certainly knew Jess had struggled to even get on the team while James had been at the school and she continued to feel overshadowed by him even after he had graduated. Christian didn't think he'd have the same problem.

The Gryffindor made his way out onto the quidditch pitch in practice robes and a beat up school broom. He didn't see the point in getting one of his own unless he made the team, hopefully it wouldn't slow him down. "Christian Cade, trying out for Keeper," He said confidently before he mounted his broom and took his position in front of the hoops. Christian knew he would face five shots from different chasers, if he managed to save them all then he would have a very good chance of making the team. Christian made a comfortable save on the first attempt, he didn't feel like that chaser had put that much effort into it. The second was a little trickier, he had to flatten himself to his broom to manoeuvre to his left and reach to grab the quaffle from the air, much harder and much more satisfying when he made it. The third was tricky but for different reasons, the chaser was attempting to give him the eyes to make him move either way but ended up shooting for the middle hoop. Christian had begun to move to his right when he saw the quaffle head for the middle and managed to move to save it. He wasn't so lucky with the fourth and could only watch as it went in for a goal. Christian had redemption when he saved the fifth and finished with a respectable four out of five saves. He just hoped it was enough.

 

[Ren Lockwood]

Ren wasn't sure how Lily had talked both of them into this. He glanced at his sister, unsure if Rose or he would be able to make the team. "Ren Lockwood, trying out for Keeper," He stated as he stepped forward, kicking off with the others and taking a spot in front of the hoops. He actually managed to block several shots, but he missed a few as well, and the strength of his throw to return the ball back into play left a little something to be desired. He didn't think he had done too bad, blocking most of the balls shot at him. He was pretty quick, though he was sure that his lack of upper body strength might count against him. He rubbed the back of his neck as he set down. He wanted to make the team because he didn't want to disappoint Lily, and it had been pretty exhilarating to play. But was he good enough to make the cut?

 

[Rosalind Lockwood]

Rose was eager to play. She was so pleased when Lily had suggested this, but annoyed when Lily had convinced Ren to try too. She stuck her tongue out at her brother, stepping forward and flipping her blond hair. "Rose Lockwood, trying out for beater." She stated before taking off into the air with the others. She shot after a bludger, and throughout practice got in several good hits. She was strong- she hit the ball clear across the pitch a few times, but her aim was terrible. The stupid things never went where she wanted them to. She was growing frustrated, but she used it to hit the balls harder. By the time practice was over, she was sore but pleased. She could so pull this off!

 

[Lysander Summers]

The Quidditch Tryouts had been on Lysander's mind throughout the entire holidays, and he knew there'd be even more competition this year to try and make it back on. Even still, he remained confident. He was feeling quite proud of how well he'd done in the last match he'd gotten a chance to play in, albeit a short one, and his practice with Leonidas over the holidays was surely going to pay off. His father had even promised him his own broom if he made the team again! For now, Lysander held one of the school-issued brooms in his hand, and a beaters bat in the other. Scarlet had been nice enough to sign it especially for him, and promised him he'd have good luck. It hadn't made it any more magical, but it certainly felt that way as he held onto it - like he could hit any bludger that came his way with no problems at all. When his turn came up, he hopped forward and grinned broadly at Jacob. "Hi! Lysander Summers, back to try out for beater."​

Taking to the air, Lysander scoured the sky for the nearest bludger to hit and took off once he'd spotted one, raising the bat high above his head. It helped to imagine that he was aiming them at Blake Irons, after how much of an idiot the Slytherin boy had been during the Wiggentree planting. Sander was still mad that anyone could be so nasty toward werewolves, and he held a small hope that they'd end up in a match together so he could get even with him and make it up to Alistair.​

All of the tips he'd been given on how to be a good beater were hard to incorporate in the midst of all the action, but Lysander still gave it his best. He focused on defending some of the others who were trying out from incoming bludgers, and managed a few good hits to knock them safely out of the way. It didn't feel right to target his own teammates with any, especially when he liked so many of them. Seeing Fleur trying to get back on the team was cool, and somewhat reassuring. Emma was the better sister, of course,, but Fleur had been nice. Even though she was older, she was still in the same boat as him, so he knew he just had to keep trying like she was. By the time it was time to land, Lysander dismounted his broom feeling quite pleased with himself. He was no Tuscan Charmer, for sure, but he felt he'd done a good job.​

 

[Emma van Houten]

Emma had loved seeing the Quidditch matches last year, even though they had often seemed too short for her liking. But it had been awesome to support Fleur on the team, as well as Lysander as alternate beater last year. But Emma was never one to stand on the sidelines for too long, she wanted to be in on the fun. She headed to the pitch and waited for her turn. She grinned at Fleur and Lysander, also waving at Rose who was her roommate. It would be so fun to be on the team with all these people! Emma really hoped she would make it. When it was her turn, Emma brightened and grinned at the captain. "Hi! I'm Emma and I wanna try out for seeker!" She said, then she got on her broom and flew into the air. She had practiced Quidditch with Fleur at home plenty of times, but this was different. She tried her best to look for the snitch, but didn't spot it anywhere. Emma was usually easily distracted, and it was impossible not to check what Lysander and Fleur were doing, but she managed to stay focused on her task. It took a little while, but eventually Emma spotted the golden gleam. With a screech of joy, Emma surged forward to grab it. She beamed when her she grabbed it and held it in the air. Then she let it go. At least she hadn't failed, and maybe she would be on the team with both Lysander and Fleur. That would be so awesome. She looked for it again, but it seemed like the one catch was all that she would do during this tryout. She returned to the ground and watched the rest of the tryouts eagerly.

 

[Professor Noel Waldgrave]

Noel was so ready for this. His cousin had left the team and he hoped to fill in that spot after Gabriel. Noel wanted badly to play quidditch and join the team. He exactly knew which position he wanted to play. But if the team needed something else he was fine with that as well. He just liked quidditch so much and a lot of sports. The brown haired boy entered the pitch and hoped to see more familliar faces and he did. Sully was trying out as well also for chaser. He hoped that they could play together with his friend. When it was Noel's turn he smiled towards the captain and introduced himself. '' Hi I'm Noel Waldgrave and I am super excited to try out for chaser again.'' Noel figured it would be fun to play against his brother who had won with Slytherin last year. He wanted to wipe away that grin of his. But now he first had to focus on even making the team. Noel climbed on his broom and flew into the air quickly. He looked out for the quaffle and managed to take it under his arm and flew to the closest hoops he could see. When he did an attempt to score he threw it more softer than he thought he would and the quaffle didn't made it into one of the hoops and was catched. Noel sighted shortly and would try again he had to use more power for sure. The second attempt when he had gotten the quaffle from someone else he threw it hard into the left hoop and cheered as it went through. Noel flew a short lap and saw how Sully scored as well. He cheered for his friend and managed to took possesion again of the quaffle and in his last attempt he managed to score as well. Noel cheered happily. It was so much fun to do this. He flew some laps and than came back to the ground. But he could stay in the air for way more longer it felt good.

 

[Elizabeth Fletcher]

Elizabeth had been practicing her broom skills all summer and having mock quidditch matches with her cousins. She was excited about the tryouts and hoped to make the team, even if she ended up being an alternate. Standing on the pitch, Elizabeth carefully began to warm up and stretch herself. As soon as the captain began to speak, she turned his focus towards him. Cheering on her fellow housemates during their try out, she made sure to cheer extra loud for Rose. When it was her turn to step forward, she gave a bright smile and turned towards Jacob.

“My name is Elizabeth Fletcher and I am trying out for the chaser position.” Elizabeth took off on her broom ready to show off the skills she had practiced with so much dedication. She pushed through the winds and was able to catch the quaffle with accuracy one-handed. Elizabeth didn’t drop the ball during a pass, but she was so concentrated on scoring she hadn’t even noticed. Passing the quaffle towards the hoops, Elizabeth watched as the keeper blocked it. The remaining several shots she was able to make with precision.

Elizabeth tried not to beat herself up about missing that shot, but she continued to watch the remainder of the tryouts. She had her fingers crossed that she would make the team.

 

[Sierra Woodlock]

Sierra was excited to try out for Quidditch again. She hadn't played a real match, but had caught the snitch in practices and it was the best feeling. She loved the thrill of the game, and it definitely brought out her competitive side. Clutching her broom, Sierra skipped down to the pitch, grinning at her friends around her. She stepped up to Jacob when he had finished speaking. "Hi Jacob! I'm Sierra Woodlock, and I'm trying out for Seeker again!" She said with a grin. Sierra felt a lot more confident about this try out than she ever had before.
The Gryffindor took to the skies, and began her hunt for the snitch. She did her best to stay focused, and remembered what Willow was like in practices and games. She was really cool, and really good. So Sierra had to stay focused if she was going to impress her - and Jacob - and everyone else watching. It took some time for her eyes to spot the glint of gold flying around the sky. With a huge grin, Sierra zoomed as fast as she could towards the snitch, twisting and flipping where she needed to. Reaching out, Sierra cheered for herself when she closed her fingers around the golden snitch. Making sure Jacob and Willow had seen it, Sierra let it go again, and continued flying around until the try outs came to an end.

 

[Jacob Kingsley]

Out of Character:

Tryouts will close in two days

 

[Jacob Kingsley]

Tryouts are closed! I'll post the lineup in the common room later today or tomorrow!