As our national team prepares once again to take to the skies, the Board of Governors for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry has come up with a seemingly easy compromise to the controversy born from last week's match: bludgers (and the beaters who deal with them) will no longer be permitted in practices or matches at the school.

This follows an incident on 22nd August that saw a young woman in the stands, Mrs. Ethel Turnbull, tragically killed by a rogue bludger in the stands. Another young lady, Miss Tilda MacFusty, was injured by the same bludger, which had ironically been hit by her brother, Mr. Lachlan MacFusty of the Chudley Cannons. This incident led to an outcry in the community from quidditch fans and opposition alike.

The change will take immediate effect, and, indeed, beaters on the school teams will be contacted directly regarding the change and their options moving forward.

"We as a body understood that we could not merely do nothing when such serious concerns about safety have been voiced," explained Mr. Daniel Radcliffe, a senior member of the Board of Governors, "but also appreciate the sentimental and cultural value held by the playing of quidditch. We feel as though this decision is a compromise that balances the two ideals, and while no doubt some students will be disappointed, I must admit that the option was this, or scrap the sport altogether."

Mr. Fitzroy Prewett, the Head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports and a former school beater himself, was not available for comment before publication.