history of Queensland Lions Football Club
The Club known today as Queensland Lions Football Club was founded by a group of Dutch immigrants in 1957. For two decades teams from Hollandia (as the club was then known) took part in lower and first division competitions in Queensland soccer, playing from their home grounds at Richlands. In 1977, Hollandia were invited to join the National Soccer League as a foundation member and participated at this level until 1988 (as Hollandia and Brisbane Lions), winning the NSL Cup in 1982.
Since 1989, the club has been at the forefront of football in Queensland, winning premierships, grand finals and cup finals. At the end of the 2004 season, Queensland Lions withdrew from the local Senior Mens competition, as the clubs efforts and energies were concentrated on attaining a place in the new national football competition. History records that successful result, and the team now known as Queensland Roar FC was accepted into the Hyundai A-League for the inaugural 2005/06 season. The Premier Youth team remained in the local football league, and after a break of 3 years, Queensland Lions returned to the local Senior Mens competition, fielding teams in Premier Division 1 and Reserves (as well as Premier Youth) for the 2008 season onwards.
Our club's aim has always been to play football at the highest level possible - and in 2011 this aim has been achieved, with our Premier Division 1 teams gaining promotion to the 2012 Premier League (both teams finishing the 2011 season at the top of the table). We will also field Youth teams and a Metro division team (level to be confirmed)
Queensland Lions is also involved in administering a thriving Masters league (Over 35s and 45s), comprising 53 teams from all over Brisbane.
Junior football is alive and well at Queensland Lions - in 2011 we were able to field a total of 29 Small-Sided Football teams, and 9 Divisional teams in Football Brisbane competitions. In 2010 our club was one of six Brisbane clubs successful in applying for the inaugural Junior Premier League, with teams from Under 12 to Under 15 competing against the best in South-East Queensland and Northern New South Wales. The Junior Premier League continues in 2012 with the addition of an Under 16 competition at this elite level.
From small beginnings, our Licensed Club has grown into one of the premier licensed venues in the south-east of the state. 1997 saw the initial development of our Clubhouse, a growth which continues to this day; and our membership base has expanded to over 20,000. Facilities at Lions Richlands have recently been refurbished - in December 2012 the new look gaming room and restaurant area will be fully operational, with more renovations in the planning stages. Lions Richlands now has 176 gaming machines, Restaurant, Coffee Shop, 3 Bars, Kids Room, and Function Rooms which cater for up to 400 patrons. The future looks very bright indeed for Queensland Lions - STEP ON UP!
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