NPR
For The Love Of The Game
These were the athletes of the Queens Football League
Kelly, quarterback for the Amsterdam Cats, gives her team a pre-game pep talk before facing off against the Rotterdam Ravens in Amsterdam, Netherlands, on Sept. 27, 2020. This would be the only game of the season, which was canceled shortly afterward due to COVID-19.
Newlyweds Michelle, a center for the Amsterdam Cats, and Barry, her offensive line coach, sit for a wedding portrait, Queens Room, Fletcher Hotel, Leeuwarden, NL, 2021. Michelle and Barry met on the field in 2017 and have been together since 2018.
Sushell, a linebacker for the Rotterdam Ravens, just before her game against the Amsterdam Cats, Amsterdam, NL, 2021.
Lisa, a tight end for the Rotterdam Ravens, during training, Rotterdam, 2020. At the time, the Cats were the only QFL team who had access to dedicated American football facilities — the field belonging to the Crusaders, Amsterdam's male American football team. The other five teams had to use soccer or other sports fields to practice on.
Laila, receiver, Zwolle Blue Jays, poses in the main room at House van Brienen, Amsterdam, NL, 2023.
Amsterdam Cats offensive line player Wenna (center with helmet) leads her team mates during a pre-game cheer against the Rotterdam Ravens, Amsterdam, NL, 2020.
Eindhoven Valkyries AB, running back, Eindhoven, NL, 2021.
Left to right: Amsterdam Cats center Michelle, quarterback Kelly, center guard Sitara and defensive back Rufina walk back to the rest of the team after winning the coin toss before the first and only game of the 2020-2021 season against the Rotterdam Ravens in Amsterdam, NL, on Sept. 27, 2020.
Utrecht Dominator Tasha, poses in the Gobelin Hall in Slot Zuylen, Utrecht, NL, 2023.
Rufina, a flight attendant and mother, is the Cats' second quarterback, Schiphol, NL, 2021.
Amsterdam Cats quarterback Dominique, House van Brienen, Amsterdam, NL, 2023.
Tonny, a coach for the Rotterdam Ravens, is hit in the face during practice, Rotterdam, NL, 2020.
Ditte, Nose Tackle for the 0’30 Utrecht Wolverine, before a game against the Zwolle Blue Jays, Utrecht, NL, 2021.
Together with her teammates, Dalila, a defensive end for the Rotterdam Ravens (center foreground), looks on as the Ravens' offense plays against the Eindhoven Valkyries, Rotterdam, NL, 2021.
Amsterdam quarterback Dominique (left) and Zwolle Blue Jay Laila (right), House van Brienen, Amsterdam, NL, 2023.
written by Nick Schönfeld
Kelly de Waard was 6 years old when she experienced her first adrenaline rush. Her father, an avid go-kart racer, had taken Kelly and her brother, Davy, to a local track in Lelystad, Netherlands, for their first-ever drive. Kelly's father built his own karts and was keen to have his son and daughter get behind the wheel as soon as they were able. Davy went first and crashed quickly. Then it was Kelly's turn. Before her father could stop her, she'd pressed down hard on the gas. "It didn't occur to me to slow down," she remembers. She got three-quarters of the way around the circuit before she hit the tire-wall too. "The rush I got when I crashed that go-kart is very similar to the body hits in American football," Kelly explained. "The impact makes me feel alive."