Rotterdam Trojans
Encyclopedia
The Rotterdam Trojans are an American football
team based in Rotterdam
, the Netherlands
. Founded in 1984, the Trojans are the second oldest surviving team in the Netherlands, behind the Amsterdam Crusaders
. Upon foundation, the Trojans immediately joined the national American Football body at the time, the NAFF (Nederlandse American Football Federatie).
After beginning in the second tier (NAFF Division One), the Trojans managed an undefeated championship season (12-0) in 1988 and gained promotion to the Premier Division. However, this step proved too much for the Trojans who were immediately relegated.
After a divisional reorganisation the Trojans moved back to the highest division, where they remain to this day. National Tulip Bowl
titles were won in 1996 and 1997. Outside the NAFF, the Rotterdam Trojans also competed in the Eurobowl
competitions in 1995 (losing in the first round to Birmingham Bulls) and reached the Eurobowl
B final in 1996, losing 7-0 in the final to St. Gallen Seaside Vipers.
In 1998 the Trojans joined the breakaway AFLN (American Football League Nederland) and won two AFLN "National" championships. In addition, participation in the Dutch-Belgian Benelux League saw Rotterdam pick up two Benelux Bowl titles in 1999 and 2000 to add to their first (non-official) win in 1995.
In 2001 the NAFF and AFLN put aside their differences to merge into the current organisational structure: the AFBN (American Football Bond Nederland
).
A large re-building operation over the last 6 years has seen Rotterdam have intermittent success, reaching the Tulip Bowl
final in 2002 and the semi-finals several times. The Trojans have been very successful in recruitment recently and look to be on their way to becoming a challenger once more for the national championship of the Netherlands.
In 2006 the Rotterdam Trojans returned to wearing their original team colours of green and white after several years of red and yellow. the play their home games at the renovated "City of Troje".
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
team based in Rotterdam
Rotterdam
Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands and one of the largest ports in the world. Starting as a dam on the Rotte river, Rotterdam has grown into a major international commercial centre...
, the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
. Founded in 1984, the Trojans are the second oldest surviving team in the Netherlands, behind the Amsterdam Crusaders
Amsterdam Crusaders
The Amsterdam Crusaders are an American Football club from Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Together with the Rotterdam Trojans and Alphen Eagles, Amsterdam Crusaders are the oldest surviving Dutch American Football club.-Beginnings:...
. Upon foundation, the Trojans immediately joined the national American Football body at the time, the NAFF (Nederlandse American Football Federatie).
After beginning in the second tier (NAFF Division One), the Trojans managed an undefeated championship season (12-0) in 1988 and gained promotion to the Premier Division. However, this step proved too much for the Trojans who were immediately relegated.
After a divisional reorganisation the Trojans moved back to the highest division, where they remain to this day. National Tulip Bowl
Tulip Bowl
The Tulip Bowl, like the Super Bowl, is the final match of the season for the top division of the American Football Bond Nederland . The AFBN is the organisation responsible for American football in the Netherlands...
titles were won in 1996 and 1997. Outside the NAFF, the Rotterdam Trojans also competed in the Eurobowl
Eurobowl
The Eurobowl is both the final game and the trophy of the European Football League , a European American football contest.-Eurobowls:-Champions:...
competitions in 1995 (losing in the first round to Birmingham Bulls) and reached the Eurobowl
Eurobowl
The Eurobowl is both the final game and the trophy of the European Football League , a European American football contest.-Eurobowls:-Champions:...
B final in 1996, losing 7-0 in the final to St. Gallen Seaside Vipers.
In 1998 the Trojans joined the breakaway AFLN (American Football League Nederland) and won two AFLN "National" championships. In addition, participation in the Dutch-Belgian Benelux League saw Rotterdam pick up two Benelux Bowl titles in 1999 and 2000 to add to their first (non-official) win in 1995.
In 2001 the NAFF and AFLN put aside their differences to merge into the current organisational structure: the AFBN (American Football Bond Nederland
American Football Bond Nederland
The AFBN is the governing body for American Football in the Netherlands. The AFBN was founded in 2001 after the merger of the rival leagues Nederlandse American Football Federatie and American Football League Nederland .-Nederlandse American Football Federatie :The Nederlandse American Football...
).
A large re-building operation over the last 6 years has seen Rotterdam have intermittent success, reaching the Tulip Bowl
Tulip Bowl
The Tulip Bowl, like the Super Bowl, is the final match of the season for the top division of the American Football Bond Nederland . The AFBN is the organisation responsible for American football in the Netherlands...
final in 2002 and the semi-finals several times. The Trojans have been very successful in recruitment recently and look to be on their way to becoming a challenger once more for the national championship of the Netherlands.
In 2006 the Rotterdam Trojans returned to wearing their original team colours of green and white after several years of red and yellow. the play their home games at the renovated "City of Troje".