The Granby Memorial High School Stadium Field is now home to the semi-professional football team of the East Coast Football League (ECFL), the CT Lightning. The East Coast Football League, which includes more than 30 teams from primarily Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire and Rhode Island, has grown to become one of the biggest, most competitive, and most successful semi-pro/minor football leagues in the United States.
The more than 2,000 players of the ECFL do not play for money, as in professional football leagues, but rather for the love of the game, for the love of fitness and to raise money for various charities. Many also play for the sense of community that comes with meeting regularly with a group of guys for games, practices and team events.
The CT Lightning team consists of nearly 40 players ranging in age from 18 to over 40 years old. According to team co-owner Sloan Waterbury, a Granby resident and Granby Memorial High School 2011 graduate, the team welcomes players of all skill levels: “We’ll take anybody, even if they’ve never played football before—as long as they have a basic understanding of the sport and are okay with getting hit and a little bit of fitness.” The team, which includes three different coaches, is looking forward to entering their second summer in the ECFL.
Before relocating their home base to Granby, the CT Lightning team was based out of Tolland. Waterbury notes, “I never got the opportunity to play on the Granby turf field [as a high school student] … I’m excited to play back in my hometown.” As a member of the Granby Bears in high school, Waterbury played in the fledgling football program when it was a pay-to-play endeavor in its early beginnings.
After graduating and enrolling at Western New England University, Sloan wanted to continue playing football but sacrificed the sport to instead work and support himself throughout school. Now, as an adult, playing for CT Lightning has allowed him the opportunity to return to football. Waterbury, who is number 86 on the team, adds, “We’re excited to play in Granby and are grateful that the town and athletic department are giving us the opportunity to use the field.”
The team’s next away game is June 29 against the Rhody Ravens, and their first home game at the GMHS Stadium Field is July 13 against the Golden Badgers, who are based out of Framingham, Mass. In addition to the regular season games, the league also hosts charity games to benefit causes like mental health or autism awareness.
For Waterbury, participating in events like this help to “build a family on the field” as the team unites to support a common cause. Currently, the CT Lightning team is looking for sponsorships from local businesses to help offset costs like purchasing jerseys, travel, and registration fees. Potential sponsors can reach out to the team on Facebook or on Instagram.