Woollongong Warriors

• Type: Professional Quidditch Team
• Nationality: Australian
• Home Town: Wollongong, Australia

The Woollongong Warriors are a famous professional Quidditch team from Australia. They are considered one of the top two teams in the Australian league, maintaining a legendary and fierce rivalry with the Thundelarra Thunderers. This ongoing rivalry is a celebrated source of entertainment within the Australian wizarding community (Quidditch Through the Ages). A point of contention surrounding the team is the spelling of their name. While their home city is spelled “Wollongong,” the team officially insists upon the “Woollongong” spelling (Quidditch Through the Ages). Their international renown is significant enough that merchandise, such as team banners, is available and popular even in Britain.

The Woollongong Warriors are mentioned once in the original series. In Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Ron Weasley shows Harry Potter his collection of Quidditch memorabilia in his bedroom at The Burrow. Among items for teams like Bulgaria and the Tutshill Tornados, Ron confirms he owns a Woollongong Warriors banner. This brief mention establishes the team's global presence and popularity among young fans.

The name is derived from the real-world city of Wollongong, a coastal city in New South Wales, Australia. The word “Wollongong” is believed to be of Aboriginal origin, with common interpretations including “sound of the sea” or “great feast of fish.” The epithet “Warriors” is a common moniker for sports teams, intended to evoke a sense of strength, fierceness, and a competitive fighting spirit, which aligns with their reputation for a fierce rivalry.

The vast majority of information about the Woollongong Warriors, including their rivalry with the Thundelarra Thunderers and the specific details about their name's spelling, is not found in the seven-book saga but in the supplementary textbook Quidditch Through the Ages, written by J.K. Rowling for charity.