NEW YORK SHARKS 2007 SEASON AT FLOYD BENNETT FIELD

The New York Sharks women’s tackle football team has just signed a contract with Aviator Sports for the 2007 season home games to commence on Saturday, May 5th.

“We hope to have a long term home at Floyd Bennett Field” said owner, Andra Douglas. “We are very excited to be part of such a new and growing Sports complex. This rounds out their group of teams by having the New York Sharks of the Independent Women’s Football League.”

The New York Sharks currently home to more than 50 female football players from the tri-state area represent all of New York City and are proud to be the winningest and longest operating women’s tackle football team in America!

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NEW YORK SHARKS TEAM WITH NFL TO HOST FIRST NFL JUNIOR PLAYER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR GIRLS ONLY

New York (December 08, 2005)–The New York Sharks of the Independent Women’s Football League (IWFL) have teamed with the National Football League to produce a new, one-of-a-kind NFL Junior Player Development (NFL JPD) program for girls, it was announced today.

Though girls have always played in the NFL’s nationwide football developmental program, this new NFL JPD program will have a female-exclusive focus. A main goal of the NFL JPD program is to serve as an effective feeder system for high school programs. But the focus is widening, and with more girls expressing interest in the sport, the NFL has created this unique program to cater to young female football players.

“The number of girls expressing interest in playing football continues to increase,” said NFL Senior Director of Youth Football Cedric Jones. “With the help of the New York Sharks and through our NFL Junior Player Development program, we will have the opportunity to teach these young girls the fundamental skills they’ll need play.”

The program is the first NFL JPD program for girls and run by women. The program, for girls between the ages of 14 and 17, will integrate on-field skills development with life skills and character development while providing step-by-step instruction for every team position in a fun and engaging environment.

Participants will receive instruction from NFL-selected New York Shark players and staff, as well as counseling that focuses around a weekly life skill. Each life skill theme is addressed through the context of football with instructors making connections between life skills as they are applied on the field, in school, at home and in the community.

“This is big for women and young girls in many ways,” said Sharks owner Andra Douglas. “This program can provide a feeder system for women’s football. It is one more confident-building step for girls that says ‘yes, you can do anything you dream you can do.’ As one of the top women’s teams in the country, the Sharks are eager to lend our expertise and are very inspired by this innovative NFL program.”

The program will debut in August of 2006. Please e-mail Sharks owner Andra Douglas (andra@nysharksfootball.com) for more info on attending or volunteering for the first-ever NFL/JPD program for girls!

For more information on NFL Youth Football programs visit www.nflyouthfootball.com Media inquiries for the NFL should go to Adina Ellis at adina.ellis@nfl.com

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