New York Sharks

The New York Sharks are a women's American football team playing out of New York City. They are a member of the Women's Football Alliance (WFA). They are the longest running and winningest team in women's football history with the honor of having a signed football in the NFL Football Hall of Fame.

Staff
As of the 2011 season the coaching staff include:
 * Head Coach & Offensive Coordinator - Darnell Stapleton of the Pittsburgh Steelers
 * Defensive Coordinator - Michael Pielech
 * Assistant Coach - Greg Solla
 * Assistant Coach - Anthony Rea
 * Assistant Coach - Rob Miller
 * Assistant Coach - Nick Vitagliano

First full-contact game
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 traveled the country playing each other on 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 11, 1999, the Minnesota Vixens came to New York to take on the Sharks. The Vixens were favorited having played 4 games already, having a 2–2 record.

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

Independent Women's Football League
In 2007 season, the Sharks played their home games at the Aviator Sports Complex at Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn, New York. They played an 8-game regular season schedule.

Future
For 2011 and beyond, the Sharks will play in the Women's Football Alliance.

Season-By-Season
(not including Long Island Sharks flag football seasons)

!Totals || 87 || 22 || 0
 * colspan="6" align="center" | New York Sharks (No Limits Barnstorming)
 * 1999 || 1 || 0 || 0 || -- || Won Exhibition Game (Minnesota)
 * colspan="6" align="center" | New York Sharks (WPFL)
 * 2000 || 4 || 2 || 0 || 2nd NC East || Lost National Conference Qualifier (New England)
 * colspan="6" align="center" | New York Sharks (Independent)
 * 2001 || 6 || 1 || 0 || -- || --
 * colspan="6" align="center" | New York Sharks (IWFL)
 * 2002 || 7 || 0 || 0 || 1st East || Won IWFL Championship (Austin)
 * 2003 || 8 || 0 || 0 || 1st EC Mid Atlantic || Won Eastern Conference Championship (Bay State) Lost IWFL Championship (Sacramento)
 * 2004 || 8 || 0 || 0 || 1st EC Mid Atlantic || Won Eastern Conference Wildcard (Chicago) Won Eastern Conference Championship (Tampa Bay) Lost IWFL Championship (Sacramento)
 * 2005 || 10 || 0 || 0 || 1st EC Mid Atlantic || Won Eastern Conference Wildcard (Southern Maine) Lost Eastern Conference Championship (Atlanta)
 * 2006 || 8 || 0 || 0 || 1st EC Mid Atlantic || Won Eastern Conference Wildcard (Miami) Lost Eastern Conference Championship (Atlanta)
 * 2007 || 6 || 2 || 0 || 1st EC North Atlantic || Won Eastern Conference Wildcard (Manchester) Lost Eastern Conference Championship (Atlanta)
 * 2008 || 6 || 2 || 0 || 2nd Tier I EC North Atlantic || --
 * 2009 || 4 || 4 || 0 || 3rd Tier I EC North Atlantic || --
 * 2010 || 7 || 1 || 0 || 2nd Tier I EC Northeast || Lost Northeast Division Championship (Boston)
 * colspan="6" align="center" | New York Sharks (WFA)
 * 2011 || 5 || 3 || 0 || 2nd NC North || --
 * 2012* || -- || -- || -- || -- || --
 * 2004 || 8 || 0 || 0 || 1st EC Mid Atlantic || Won Eastern Conference Wildcard (Chicago) Won Eastern Conference Championship (Tampa Bay) Lost IWFL Championship (Sacramento)
 * 2005 || 10 || 0 || 0 || 1st EC Mid Atlantic || Won Eastern Conference Wildcard (Southern Maine) Lost Eastern Conference Championship (Atlanta)
 * 2006 || 8 || 0 || 0 || 1st EC Mid Atlantic || Won Eastern Conference Wildcard (Miami) Lost Eastern Conference Championship (Atlanta)
 * 2007 || 6 || 2 || 0 || 1st EC North Atlantic || Won Eastern Conference Wildcard (Manchester) Lost Eastern Conference Championship (Atlanta)
 * 2008 || 6 || 2 || 0 || 2nd Tier I EC North Atlantic || --
 * 2009 || 4 || 4 || 0 || 3rd Tier I EC North Atlantic || --
 * 2010 || 7 || 1 || 0 || 2nd Tier I EC Northeast || Lost Northeast Division Championship (Boston)
 * colspan="6" align="center" | New York Sharks (WFA)
 * 2011 || 5 || 3 || 0 || 2nd NC North || --
 * 2012* || -- || -- || -- || -- || --
 * 2009 || 4 || 4 || 0 || 3rd Tier I EC North Atlantic || --
 * 2010 || 7 || 1 || 0 || 2nd Tier I EC Northeast || Lost Northeast Division Championship (Boston)
 * colspan="6" align="center" | New York Sharks (WFA)
 * 2011 || 5 || 3 || 0 || 2nd NC North || --
 * 2012* || -- || -- || -- || -- || --
 * 2011 || 5 || 3 || 0 || 2nd NC North || --
 * 2012* || -- || -- || -- || -- || --
 * 2012* || -- || -- || -- || -- || --
 * 2012* || -- || -- || -- || -- || --
 * colspan="2"| (including playoffs)

* = current standing