They may not have Harry Potter on their team, but The Norwich Nifflers have magically secured a place in a national tournament.

Eastern Daily Press: The Norwich Nifflers Quidditch team in play a game during their training at Earlham Park for the British Quidditch Cup. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYThe Norwich Nifflers Quidditch team in play a game during their training at Earlham Park for the British Quidditch Cup. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant)

UEA's muggle quidditch players will join 31 other teams at the British Quidditch Cup in Rugeley between March 11-12 where they'll battle to be crowned UK champions.

The mixed gender game is inspired by JK Rowling's fictional sport in the Harry Potter book series.

Once mounted on brooms, chasers score points through hoops, beaters throw balls to knock people out of the game and keepers defend their posts.

Eastern Daily Press: The Norwich Nifflers Quidditch team in play a game during their training at Earlham Park for the British Quidditch Cup. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYThe Norwich Nifflers Quidditch team in play a game during their training at Earlham Park for the British Quidditch Cup. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant)

The game ends when the snitch, a small tag attached to the shorts of a neutral player, is caught.

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Emma Jones, Captain of the Norwich Nifflers, said: 'I am extremely proud of all my Nifflers for securing us a place at British Quidditch Cup! We have worked hard to get here, and are working even harder to show what we're really made of.

'At the end of the day, if everyone comes off the pitch with a smile on their face, that's what it's all about for us.'

• Follow the Norwich Nifflers' journey to the British Quidditch Cup on Twitter at @UEAQuidditch