History of Lightning Leiden
In 1997 an american football club was founded in Leiden and Lightning Leiden was born.
Because there was no location to practice this sport, an old soccer field was chosen in the vicinity of the University Campus. The club did grow fast and as a result Lightning Leiden was allowed to use the Rugby field which was also close to the University Campus. In the first year of its existence one might call it a season of exploration and development. Potential increased considerably and some players were scouted and elected to play in the Dutch national team. The following year Lightning Leiden became for the first time in its short history the Dutch National Champion Flag football 9 vs. 9. Flag football is the non-contact alternative of American Football.
Due to a University policy Lightning Leiden had to move to another location in 2000. The club choose the soccer location “De Vliet” belonging to the soccer club “De Sleutels”. Meanwhile the club kept on growing and also a youth tackle team and a pee wee team became a fact. Tackle Full Contact interpretation of the sport. The youth tackle team kept on winning and were unbeaten for several years which resulted in several Dutch Championships.
Competition became heavier because other cities like Amsterdam and Rotterdam had founded clubs of their own. So Lightning played the Crusaders and Trojans
Time does not stand still and of course the players became older, however their little brothers and sisters were often found in the attendance. Those kids were also inspired by the game. They are quite young - 8 -12 years of age. They are the “little league” of the American Football. They love playing ball and having fun is their inspiration.
A very sorrowful event was the death of a very talented player in 2004. Unfortunately Dyan Kralt died at the age of 16 in a motor accident. Dyan meant a lot to Lightning Leiden, therefore ‘the Dyan Kralt Foundation’ was established, which means that the Foundation supports talented players in order to reach the top. The Foundation and Lightning Leiden are working very close together.
In 2004 the club had to move again due to a City Counsel Policy and now they are at the ‘Boshuizerkade’. A bigger location which resulted once more in more youth teams and a Senior Team.
