This piece will examine the potential candidates for the position of the Gryffindor Quidditch captain in the next two books. There are two assumptions that will be made when the contenders are considered:
(1) That the character will not die within the next two books. (I hope this is the case, although I do fear for a couple of them.)
(2) That the Quidditch cup is played in the last two books and not cancelled for any reason such as the in books two (cancelled part way through the season with the chamber of secrets being opened) and four (because of the tri-wizard tournament).
The list of possible candidates for the position examines whether they will gain captain status at some point in the future.
Katie Bell
Katie is still going to be on the team; she will be in her 7th year at Hogwarts. In OotP, Ginny states that "Angelina and Alicia are both leaving next year" (p.508 UK). This states nothing about Katie; therefore it looks like she will be playing Quidditch in book six.
She will have been on the Quidditch team for six years, like Harry (she made her debut for Gryffindor in her second year). This means that Katie will be the oldest and most experienced player on the team in HBP. She has never missed a game (making her the most experienced) whereas Harry missed the last match against Ravenclaw in PS/SS and only played against Slytherin in OotP.
Katie has been a background character until now, saying less than fifty lines in the five books so far (this is only an estimate). However, we knew very little about Angelina before she was given the armband in OotP. She also plays in a good position to be captain. As a Chaser she is constantly involved in the game, covering the whole pitch.
McGonagall tends to go for age and experience in picking the Quidditch captain. Both Oliver Wood and Angelina Johnson were the oldest players on the team when they were captain. There is however one problem with Katie, similar to Angelina, she could only do the job for one year before McGonagall needs to appoint someone else. Appointing Katie is a short-term solution.
Harry Potter
He has been on the team as long as Katie. It is therefore seen by many fans that it will be either Mr. Potter or Miss. Bell that becomes captain. Going into his 6th year, he would be able to hold the position for two years, unlike Katie. However Harry does not have the experience that Katie has, due to not playing as many games as her. v Harry has outstanding talent as a Quidditch player. An exception to the first year rule was made in PS/SS so that he could play in the team despite only being a first year, and Wood stated that he was the youngest house player in a century (p.113 UK). However, being the best player does not make the best captain. There are numerous examples of sports teams where the 'star' player is not the captain of the team. For example, Thierry Henry is not the captain of Arsenal; nor is Ruud Van Nistelrooy, the captain of Manchester United. The position of captain requires more than the skill to play the game.
The position of Seeker is not the best position for a captain (although the books have mentioned two notable exceptions to the rule in Charlie Weasley and Cedric Diggory). The Seeker's focus is on the snitch and not their teammates. The Seeker is isolated from the rest of the team because his/her sole focus is on catching the game-winning snitch.
Harry also has a small problem controlling his temper at times. A captain's job is to set an example to the other players and not argue with the referee or attack other players (no matter how much Malfoy deserves it). McGonagall does not like her captain to be involved in fights; in OotP she threatened to take the position away from Angelina for shouting at Harry in the Great Hall. "And as for you, Miss Johnson, you will confine your shouting matches to the Quidditch pitch in future or risk losing the team captaincy!" (p. 285 UK). McGonagall, like Dumbledore, might think that Harry has enough going on in his life without adding the extra burden of the captaincy.
Ron Weasley
Like Harry, Ron is going into his 6th year and would be able to hold the position for two years. However, he does not have the experience that Katie or Harry has, having only gained his place on the team last year. Ron does play in a good position to be a captain. As a keeper, he can see the whole game from his position on the pitch. A lot of captains on sports teams play in defensive positions instead of attacking ones (for example, John Terry at Chelsea).
He seems to have gotten over his confidence problem since Fred and George left the school. Nevertheless, he has only had one good game and, like Harry, sometimes has problems controlling his temper.
Ron knows Quidditch very well, as he follows the game professionally. He is an avid fan of the Chudley Cannons and has a bedroom devoted to them. Like many ardent sports fans, he probably knows a lot about tactics. Finally, Ron is also an exceptional chess player, this shows that he can read situations well and plan tactically.
Ginny Weasley
Ginny provides a longer-term option than Katie, Harry, or Ron. She will be able to hold the captaincy for three years. However, he does not have the experience of Katie or Harry, having played on the team for less than a year. Therefore it may not be deemed as fair for Ginny to take the armband. However, she may not even be able to qualify for captain. She is going to have to try out for Chaser having played as Seeker during Harry's ban and the captain is likely to be chosen before the two new Chasers are needed.
Chaser, like the Keeper, is a good position for the captaincy. She seems very knowledge about Quidditch, and, coming from a family that loves the sport, there is no reason to suspect that she is any different. Ginny is also a very good Quidditch player. It is also highly probable that she rides the worst broom on the team. Ron only got a new broom when he was made a prefect. Finally, Ginny commands the respect of others -- a very good quality in a captain; her older brothers (especially Fred and George) speak of her very favourably.
Andrew Kirke or Jack Sloper
These two share the same lack of experience that Ron and Ginny have. They are also commented upon negatively about their performance, although they do seem to be improving (similar to Ron). Also similar to the position of a Seeker, a Beater might not be the best position for a captain. A Beater focus is on keeping the Bludgers away from their team mates, and, like the Seeker is therefore somewhat isolated.
A New Player
It is highly doubtful that McGonagall will appoint someone that has no experience and is coming straight into the team.
My Predictions
In Book 6, Katie Bell will become captain as the oldest and most experienced player on the team. However, this leaves the position open in book seven, when either Harry or Ron could get the position. Due to his strategy skills and knowledge of Quidditch and the position he plays, I believe that Ron will become captain. He will have gained more experience in the next year. It is important to remember that the 'star player' does not always make the best captain. Harry, with the war gathering full momentum in book seven, will be occupied with other thoughts. I also believe that, should Ginny survive the books (although I do fear for her character, but that is a different topic), she will become captain in her 7th year. |
User reviews
Review this Editorial |
|
| orkcu |
  |
| 2006.04.03 |
of course, I am reading this after I read the HBP :-), but just to give one...
Read full review |
|
| Mxufi |
|
| 2005.06.20 |
I was intrigued with several of the points presented in this editorial and ...
Read full review |
|
| Ronluva(Alicia) |
|
| 2005.06.05 |
That was a very well thought out editorial. In my opinion, Ron will be the ...
Read full review |
|
| tonks |
|
| 2005.06.01 |
i am still debating with the kati and harry situation thou it seems only fa...
Read full review |
|
| JT |
|
| 2005.05.06 |
The theory is pretty accurate and realistic. The best player might not be t...
Read full review |
|
| Parvati |
|
| 2005.04.23 |
I think harry should be captain of the quidditch team he deserves it will p...
Read full review |
|
| lupinsmyman |
|
| 2005.04.17 |
Also Ginny may not be too young because Wood would have been made capitan i...
Read full review |
|
| lupinsmyman |
|
| 2005.04.14 |
This is very interesting theory. I think that Harry will not be captian jus...
Read full review |
|
| Professor McGonagall |
|
| 2005.04.14 |
I believe that this was well thought out and presented. However, the concl...
Read full review |
|
| Courtney |
|
| 2005.03.24 |
I think you thought out your theory well. However, I agree with the Weasel...
Read full review |
|
| prongs' gurl |
|
| 2005.03.12 |
i think this was really well written and i think that alot of what you pred...
Read full review |
|
| ForeignLoveMonkey |
|
| 2005.02.17 |
your analysis of the players and their skills was down my same line of thin...
Read full review |
|
| Fardo |
|
| 2005.01.23 |
Well done, clear thinking! I can imagine Katie Bell being Captain in the 6t...
Read full review |
|
| Egla |
|
| 2005.01.22 |
Very nice edittorial and I think your on the right track. We have to keep i...
Read full review |
|
| Hairy Pooter |
|
| 2005.01.11 |
A+ for effort! I also think Ron will get team Captaincy becuase, as many ag...
Read full review |
|
| Zeenie |
|
| 2004.12.31 |
I agree with Shelly about Harry not having the time to be involved in Quidd...
Read full review |
|
| shelly |
|
| 2004.12.23 |
I would really want Ron to be captain but I dont think he will because its ...
Read full review |
|
| Long Live the Weasel King! |
|
| 2004.12.05 |
I have long said that I believe Ron will be made Captian of the Quidditch t...
Read full review |
|
|
