photo by www.clarkshots.com

The New York Sharks established themselves as a New York City staple after nineteen full seasons of play through their final season in 2018. During their nearly two decades of herstory, they were the “winningest” and longest operating women’s tackle football team in the world! Each season, the team was home – and a second family – to nearly 60 players, coaches and staff from across the Tri-State area. During their tenure, they amassed 10 division titles, 5 east coast conference titles, 2 national championship titles and an international title.

The New York Sharks were known as front runners in the sport of women’s tackle football. The organization made great strides for women and girls in sports and held the respect of teams across the country.

Known as a perennial powerhouse, the Sharks were chosen by USA Football to represent the United States in the inaugural (2008) 5 on 5 Flag Football World Cup, held in Quebec, Canada. Many Sharks also participated in the same event in 2010 as well.  In addition to it’s on-field success, the Sharks were the first women’s team to make it into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio; the only women’s tackle football team to have a retired jersey on permanent display at the Sports Museum of America in Kansas City, MO; the first women’s team to play in a halftime scrimmage at an NFL game (also televised) on January 2nd, 2005 at Giants Stadium when the Giants faced the Cowboys; hosted the first ever NFL Junior Player Development program for girls  at the Giants practice facility in the spring of  2007 – an event so successful that it became an annual event.

In 2003, Sharks owner Andra Douglas started a not-for-profit 501 (c)3 organization called the “Fins Up Foundation for Female Athletics..” The mission of the Foundation was to provide opportunities for 13-17 year old “at-risk” girls to learn essential life skills through the sport of football from current NY Shark players who coached a semi-annual camp. In September of 2015, the Foundation changed it’s operating name to the Women’s Gridiron Foundation and has broadened it’s influence and outreach to female flag and tackle football players around the world.

During their years of operation, it was the NY Sharks who were most widely covered by the media, having appeared on national shows including “American Gladiator,” ABC’s “The View” with Barbara Walters and “Live with Regis and Kathy Lee.” The team was featured on NBC Sports, in Sports Illustrated, on ESPN, and in Peter Jennings book “Search for America,” the Women’s Sports Foundation’s book “Superwomen” and the Smithsonian’s acclaimed book and exhibited entitled “Game Face: What does a Female Athlete Look Like.”  The Sharks were featured regularly by both NYC Fox 5 and Brooklyn One each season.

The City of New York invited the team to city hall for a ceremony declaring August 9th, 2010 to be New York Sharks Day. An award winning documentary entitled “First Down” was produced which followed the Sharks during their very first season in 2000. 

2018 was the final season for the Sharks as owner, Andra Douglas, sold the team which now operates as the New York Wolves.

The ride was an amazing one, full of memories that will last a lifetime for our staff and all the players who donned a Shark uniform.

We thank our partners, fans, medical staff, family, friends and many supporters for their constant and unwavering support for nearly twenty years. 

Remember to Always keep your Fins UP!!!!

(From Left to Right) – Founder / Owner Andra Douglas, VP Crystal Turpin, CFO, Facebook & Website Mgr Dana Sparling