New York Sharks

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The New York Sharks are a women's tackle football team playing out of New York City. They are a member of the Independent Women's Football League (IWFL), a league with over 30 teams across the United States and Canada. The Sharks play in the Northern Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. They have been divisional winners 5 years in a row, 3 time Eastern Conference winners, and won the IWFL Championship Game in 2002.

For the 2007 season, the Sharks will be calling the Aviator Sports Complex at Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn, New York home. They will be playing an 8 game regular season schedule.

The New Yorks Sharks originally started as a women's flag football team called the Long Island Sharks. They played in international tournaments and were national champions.

In 1999 the Women's Professional Football League (WPFL) was formed. It consisted of two teams, the Minnesota Vixens and the Lake Michigan Minx. They barnstormed around the country playing each other in what was called the "No Limits" Tour. They had heard about the success of the Long Island Sharks and challenged them to a full contact, tackle football game.

The Sharks accepted the challenge and with two months to prepare, converted their flag football team to a tackle football team. On Saturday, December 11th, the Minnesota Vixens came to New York to take on the Sharks. The Vixens were definitely the favorites having played 4 games already and had a 2-2 record.

The Sharks were coached by former New York Jets Bobby Jackson. Before 300 fans on a windy day at Mitchell Field, Long Island the Sharks shocked Minnesota, defeating them 12-6. The Sharks scored on two touchdown passes by quarterback Val Halesworth. One score was on a bomb to Natalie Jufer that led to a 71-yard touchdown. The other score was an 18 yard pass to Valerie Monaco.