Football is one of the fastest-growing professional sports for women athletes in the United States, expanding from a grand total of only three teams in 1999 to more than 100 across the country in 2004. The New York Sharks, a member of the Independent Women’s Football League, is currently home to 50 female football players from the tri-state area – and they’re ranked tops in the country!

It was at the commencement of their 2002 season that I first learned about the NY Sharks and, for that matter, that there were women playing tackle football right in our own backyard. Contrary to what some may think, the NY Sharks is a team made up of mothers, lawyers, construction workers, police officers, and students – not just a squad of 50 hulking Amazons or, even more dismissively, just “a bunch of dykes.”

Though hailing from all walks of life, each teammate shares a passion for football. The players pay to play, to the tune of more than $1000 each, to contribute to the cost of the team’s expenses. This diverse group of strong women’s enthusiasm for competition and teamwork showed brilliantly in 2002, when the undefeated Sharks won the National Championship.

The team is owned by Andra Douglas, 45, who also plays on the field, and was named 2004 Female Athlete of the Year by the Nassau County Sports Commission. After purchasing the team in 1999, she brought on Crystal Turpin, who as general manager (and also a football player) is responsible for running the day-to-day business side of the Sharks. Turpin also organized the Sharon Pascale mini-camp, named for the Sharks’ late teammate who was killed in a car accident in 2001. The camp teaches football and basketball skills to girls aged 7-17, proving that the Sharks believe in supporting sportsmanship and community on – and off – the field.

Some of the Sharks have been teammates for more than a decade, extending to an era when women were only allowed to play flag football. Turpin, a receiver, is one of them, and most of the teammates have backgrounds in college athletics. This season, Douglas (#7) takes the position of kicker after several seasons as a backup quarterback. She had been a place kicker on the Florida State University rugby team, where she brought them to two national championships, one owed to her winning kick in overtime. When a rookie kicker happened to miss a Sharks practice session, Douglas realized that her legs were still in fighting shape.

This year, Douglas has hired a new set of coaches and is welcomimg back many committed players from last season. Lori DeVivio (#22), Lynn Lewis (#56), Dana Donahue Sparling (#81), Kimberly Bishop (#78), Lakisha Grant (#36), Kathy Holloman (#1) and Donna Spilotras (#60) all were out for the 2003 season, some due to injuries, but they are returning to the action this year. Incidentally, Douglas is the oldest “Sharkie,” while 19-year-old veteran Theresa Schirrippa (#3) is the youngest.

The NY Sharks are set to conquer the competition in their fifth season. Home games will be played on the football field of August Martin High School, 156-10 Baisley Blvd., in Jamaica, New York. Ticket prices are $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. For more information, visit the NY Sharks’ website at nysharksfootball.com

by Merle Exit from GO NYC

he New York Sharks officially opened the 2002 football season by holding a two-day mini-camp. The mini-camp was held at Cow Meadow Park in Freeport, New York on Saturday, February 9th and Sunday, February 10th.

Saturday, February 9th

Camp started bright and early at 9am on Saturday with the team spending the morning with paperwork and getting physicals. The weather was unseasonably warm with the temperature rising to 50 degrees with plenty of sunshine.

The team reconvened at 1pm with Sharks owner Andra Douglas introducing New York’s braintrust for the new season. The team will be coached by Nick Giannatasio who will also be the team’s offensive coordinator. Jim Esposito will be the team’s defensive coordinator, Joe Mento will be the linebacker’s coach, Fred Quiles will be the defensive line’s coach, and Bill Thatcher will be the running back’s coach.

After the introductions, the coaches went directly to work. A chalkboard session was started with the coaches going over offensive and defensive formations. Each coach worked with his group of players on the training grounds. They went over playing techniques as well as how to read the opposing team’s offense and defense alignments. Click on the image to the left to watch the video.

After classes, the Sharks were put through a series of drills, from running an obstacle course, doing jumping jacks, and tackling.

There were plenty of new faces among the familiar ones. Some of the new faces were Nola Lighthart, sister of Shark center/punter Aurora Lighthart. Nola is in high school and will travel 3 hours each way with her sister to play in New York.

There were a few new familiar faces like Nathalie Jufer and Carol Rose. Nathalie and Carol were original New York Sharks having played with the team in 1999 and 2000. They sat out the 2001 season due to other committments but are ready and raring to go in 2002. Carol was the team’s starting quarterback in 2000 and Nathalie is the all-time Shark scoring leader.

Nathalie Jufer

Carol Rose

Sunday, February 10th

The second day of mini-camp started bright and early at 9am. Unfortunately the weather was not so bright. It was overcast, cool, and windy for most of the second day of camp. But this did not damper the spirits of any of the players as they started scrimmages in the afternoon. This meant hitting each other with pads and hitting each other hard. There were a few times when the call had to be made to team doctor, Dr. De Costa, to attend to a wounded Shark.

By 3pm, the mini-camp was closed for the day. The Sharks closed camp by huddling together and yelling, “Sharks, Hoo-Rah 51” in honor of their teammate Sharon Pascale. It was also announced that each player will be wearing the number 51 on the left side of their uniform for Sharon for the 2002 season.

The players were impressed by the organization of the coaching staff and the coaches commented quite favorably about the team’s future. With the combination of the talented new blood joining the team, to go along with the veterans, there are very high expectiations for the 2002 season.

n Saturday, the NY Sharks braintrust tried to answer the question of could they turn 41 young girls into hard nosed football players. Well, the answer was no, but then again, what can you expect in one day. Instead everyone had a great time while picking up a few pointers on how to play football.

The day started early for the young football hopefuls. Mini-camp started at 9am at Cow Meadow Park on Long Island. Car loads of girls came with their parents and even a bus load from Mount Vernon came to the camp. The weather was cold and windy and there were even a few snow flakes in the air.

The girl’s mini-camp was named after popular Sharks player Sharon Pascale who died in an automobile accident on Christmas Day. The girls arriving at the mini-camp ranged in age from 9 to 18 years of age. They each received a Sharks t-shirt as well as a free pass to a Sharks home game.

At 9am, mini-camp started by having the girls go through the same warm-up exercises that the Sharks go through. Led by over a dozen Shark players, the girls did stretching exercises as well as jumping jacks. Next were the obstacle course where each girl ran through a few times.

The girls were then divided into groups depending on their age. With each group being led by a different Shark player, the girls were taught the finer parts of football. They learning blocking techniques, how to throw a football, the proper way to catch a pass, and even the different stances a player goes into when they step up to the line of scrimmage.

At noon time, everyone took a break. Pizza and juice were served as the girls and the Shark players ate lunch together. Joining the lunch crowd was the New York Sharks team mascot, who seemed to attract the younger set.

Another New York area football team helped out with the mini-camp. Personnel from the arena football team, the New York Dragons came by to lend a hand. Coach John Gregory stopped by as well as kicker Bruce Rienecker. Bruce provided tips on place kicking and then gave an impressive demonstration, booming the ball across the field.

To practice what they had just learned, the girls then played a little flag football. Sharks head coach Nick Giannatasio helped out and in this picture is calling a play for his team.

After the game, a passing contest was held. Each girl would get 6 chances to throw a football at a target. The target was a board with the Sharks logo on it but with the mouth cut-out. Prizes were awarded for the girls who got the most through the Shark’s mouth.

By 3pm, the mini-camp was over. Many girls went over to the Sharks players and had their t-shirts autographed or just to talk with their favorite player. The girls went home happy but the Sharks had to stick around as the start of football practice for them was just beginning.

If you missed this girl’s mini-camp, the Sharks are planning on holding another one in August. Just add your name to our e-mail list and you will be notified when we have more information. Or you can contact Sharks general manager Crystal Turpin by e-mail at: crystal@nysharksfootball.comor by phone at: 646-552-5798.

Andra Douglas was once a homecoming queen. Anna Tate played basketball at Wyandanch. Val Halesworth was an All-American basketball player. The list goes on, but now they all have a common bond. And it isn’t one that many would guess.

They are all members of the New York Sharks, the first Independent Women’s Professional Football League champions. No, this is not touch football and no, it’s not flag football. These women put on the pads and helmets and play real football. And on July 6 in Ashland, Ore., they defeated the Austin (Texas) Outlaws, 24-4, to win the title.

The Sharks were a dominant team, going 9-0, averaging more than 41 points per game and allowing just 18 points all season with five shutouts. Halesworth threw for 17 touchdowns against only two interceptions and ran for four touchdowns. In the title game, the Oyster Bay native ran for one touchdown, threw for another and also threw for three two-point conversions.

The roster of the Sharks, who played home games at August Martin High School in Queens, was composed of residents from the tri-state-area, but it was dominated by Long Islanders.

-Marshall Lubin

ast weekend I went out to CowMeadow Park in Freeport to spendthe day with the 2002 NationalChampionship New York Sharks…women’s tackle football team…but I guess you know thatalready. They had this one-day Sharon Pascale mini-camp for young girls ages 7-17. Members of the #1 voted team were on handto teach the girls to play soccer, basketball, softball, and, of course,football. They came from all over the tri-state area.

But, alas, that wasn’t enough for the day’s event. The first offour tryouts for the 2003 season also took place. If anything, youhave to be quite agile to go throughthe drills. From there the hopefulsget to participate in a mini-campnext February. That’s when theyput on the gear and see if they’reready for tackling, or being tackled.

Amongst the women was oneQueensite, Leilani Farol fromLong Island City. NCAAVolleyball is her thing, but like starQuarterback Val Halsworth, herfootball experience rested on playingin the streets with her brothers.Rosa Prager, for instance, has abackground of soccer, softball andbasketball. Karen Mulligan, one ofmy top picks, wanted the opportunityto participate in a sport thatshe never got to play. Herbackground is in softball, soccerand basketball. Chantal Bauerplayed touch football with herfriends and although she was enthusiasticabout softball and icehockey, she carries her disappointmentof “not being able toplay with the guys”.

-by Merle Exit

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