A HARRY Potter fan and York student has been recognised as one of the country’s best Quidditch players and will represent the UK at the sport’s World Cup this year.

Team UK are sending the nation’s top players to compete in the 2018 Quidditch World Cup in June, and University of York student Tom Stevens, aged 22, has been included in the 25-man squad.

The Quidditch World Cup, this year hosted in Florence, will see 32 teams play off for the title of World Champion and Team UK will be competing for the top spot.

Quidditch was adapted from the Harry Potter novels almost 12 years ago in the US. It combines elements of rugby and dodgeball to create a fast paced, full contact, mixed gender sport.

Tom said: “I know Quidditch isn’t a well known sport but for those who do play it it’s special to represent your country. To be at the World Cup this year is awesome.”

He added: “It will be the second time I will have played for the UK. I played for them at the European Games in Oslo last year.”

Tom is in his fourth year at the University of York and is studying for a masters in biology. He has been playing Quidditch since his second year, and is a member of the university’s own Quidditch team.

He said: “I was a rugby player and broke my arm. A friend said to me they are going to have a go at Quidditch and do I want to come along.

"I did and here we are now.”

Tom says he is a “big fan” of Harry Potter and enjoyed reading the books when he was growing up.

Quidditch has proved to be a popular game for athletes and Potter enthusiasts alike and has grown enormously in the past few years.

The 2016 Quidditch World Cup saw Team UK snatch the bronze medal from Canada with a 190-60 point win.