
Queens League
The Netherlands, 2020 - 2023
Women's American football has had a tumultuous history in the United States, but women have been actively involved in the sport since the late 1880s. For the past few years, however, the sport has been quietly growing abroad too. Canada, Mexico, Australia and Germany — all countries with close cultural ties to the U.S. — have active leagues and, by 2016, there were over 200 teams in Europe alone.
Until 2017, the Netherlands was the odd one out. Although there'd been a men's league in since the mid-'80s, there were no women's teams and no dedicated competition. The only option for women who wanted to play was to join a men's team, something that put many potential female players off.
The now-defunct Queens Football League (QFL), founded by Kanessa Muluneh in 2017, was created in response to that lack of opportunity. Not interested in competing with men, Muluneh decided that if there was no league for women like her to join, she would start one. The QFL as it is colloquially known, lasted for a mere 4 years before it was abruptly shut down by Muluneh, who moved to Dubai. In its place, a new organization, the Women's Football League took over, led by Ravens head coach Wesley Kuils and Miguel Alfarez, the Amsterdam Cats' former head coach.
I spent 18 months following the players of the QFL as they battled each other for the Queens Bowl and tried to hold the league together in the midst of the pandemic.
Kelly, quarterback for the Amsterdam Cats, gives her team a pre-game pep talk before facing off against the Rotterdam Ravens, Amsterdam, 2020. This would be the only game of the season, which was canceled shortly afterwards due to COVID-19.
Amsterdam quarterback Dominique (left) and Zwolle Blue Jay Laila (right), Amsterdam, 2023.
Amsterdam Cats quarterback Dominique, Amsterdam, 2023.
Lisa, a tight end for the Rotterdam Ravens, during practice, Rotterdam, 2020.
Newlyweds Michelle and Barry, Queens Room, Fletcher Hotel, Leeuwarden, 2021. Michelle, a center for the Amsterdam Cats, and Barry, her offensive line coach, met on the field in 2017.
Tonny, a coach for the Rotterdam Ravens, is hit in the face during practice, Rotterdam, 2020.
Mouthgard, Amsterdam Cats, Amsterdam, 2020.
Kelly, the quarterback for the Amsterdam Cats, runs with the ball during a rain-soaked training session, Amsterdam, 2020.
Amsterdam Cats during training, Amsterdam, 2020.
Laila, a receiver for the Zwolle Blue Jays, photographed before a game against the Eindhoven Valkyries, Eindhoven, NL, 2021.
Two Zwolle Blue Jays players practice during a training session, Zwolle, 2021.
Megan - the Megatron, Left Guard, The Hague Black Scorpions, Amsterdam, 2021.
Zwolle Blue Jay Laila, Huis van Brienen, Amsterdam, 2023.
Rufina, a flight attendant and mother, is the Cats' second quarterback, Schiphol airport, 2021.
Utrecht Dominator Safijja, Gobelin Hall in Slot Zuylen, Utrecht, 2023.
Ditte, nose tackle for the 0’30 Utrecht Wolverines, before a game against the Zwolle Blue Jays, Utrecht, 2021.
Sushell, a linebacker for the Rotterdam Ravens, just before her game against the Amsterdam Cats, Amsterdam, 2021.
Eindhoven Valkyries AB, running back, Eindhoven, 2021.
Amsterdam Cats player Pauline after a game, Amsterdam, 2021.
Blue Jays coach Kelly (left) watches as part-time coach and boyfriend Jordi tackles Dominique in practice, Zwolle, 2021.
Dominique, quarterback for the Zwolle Blue Jays, lies in the operating room to have tendons in her left knee repaired, Zevenaar, 2021.
The Rotterdam Ravens run onto the field before a game against the Amsterdam Cats — their biggest rivals — in September 2021.
Ravens Assistant Coach Anne during a game against 0'30 Utrecht Wolverines.
Offensive line player Wenna (center with helmet) leads her team mates during a pre-game cheer against the Rotterdam Ravens, Amsterdam, 2020.
Kelly, the Cats' former quarterback, and her replacement, Rufina, pose for a portrait at the Hotel l'Europe in Amsterdam, 2022.
L-R: 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, Amsterdam, 2020.
Utrecht Dominator Tasha, Gobelin Hall in Slot Zuylen, Utrecht, 2023.
Dalila, a defensive end for the Rotterdam Ravens (center foreground), looks on as the Ravens' offense plays against the Eindhoven Valkyries, Rotterdam, 2021.
Dominique, during her first training session after lockdown restrictions were lifted and amateur team sports were possible again, Zwolle, March 13 2021.
Head coach Arrien (left) tests the skills of Valkyries hopefuls during their first ever training session. Levina, the woman in the pink shirt, eventually made the team as a linebacker, Eindhoven, 2020.
Amsterdam Cats defense players listen to coach Vito (arm) during their game against the Rotterdam Ravens, Amsterdam, 2020.
Amsterdam Cats Rosa, Amsterdam NL, 2023.
Mila, a linebacker for the Amsterdam Cats, during training, Amsterdam, 2020.
Britt, center for the Zwolle Blue Jays, before a game against the Utrecht Wolverines, Utrecht, 2021.
Arantza, a linebacker for the Eindhoven Valkyries, photographed minutes before a game against the Amsterdam Cats, Eindhoven, 2021.
Jessica, a running back and receiver for the 0’30 Utrecht Wolverines, after a game against the Amsterdam Cats, Amsterdam, 2021.
Amsterdam Cats during training, Amsterdam, 2021.
Utrecht Wolverine Safijja applauding her own team after loosing against the Cats, Amsterdam, 2021.
Amsterdam Cats Kelly, Sitara and Dami, Diwali festival, Lelystad, 2021.
Dami (left), a running back for the Amsterdam Cats, and her sister Sitara, a center guard, celebrate an interception by the Cats' defense during the 2021 Queens Bowl matchup against the Rotterdam Ravens, Amsterdam, 2021.
Joanna, a former member of The Hague Black Scorpions, now plays flag football with The Hague Hyenas, Oestgeest, 2023.
Karen, a linebacker for the Amsterdam Cats, before a game against the Rotterdam Ravens, Amsterdam, 2021.
Marjaline, center for the Rotterdam Ravens, walks off the field with the daughter of a friend after a game against the Utrecht Wolverines, Rotterdam, 2021. Behind her, Lisa, one of the Ravens' tight ends, chats with the game's live commentator while rolling up one of the field lines.
Kelly, quarterback for the Amsterdam Cats, takes a break during training, Amsterdam, 2020.
A frustrated Kelly is reassured by her offensive line coach, Barry, after a training session in which she felt she had underperformed, Amsterdam, 2020.