New Jersey Sharks
Encyclopedia
The Bucks County Sharks are a rugby league football team based in Bucks County, Pennsylvania
. The team played in the American National Rugby League
(AMNRL) from 1998–2009 and rejoined the league for the 2011 season
.
Originally known as the New Jersey Sharks, the team was founded in 1997 and joined the league now known as the AMNRL for its inaugural 1998 season. Despite the name, the team was based not in New Jersey
but in nearby Levittown
in Bucks County, Pennsylvania
. They adopted their current name for the 2007 season
. In 2010 the Sharks suspended operations and did not compete during the 2010 season
. The following year they announced their plans to return for the 2011 season.
(AMNRL), competing in its inaugural 1998 season. Though they played under the name New Jersey Sharks, they were actually based across state lines in nearby Levittown, Pennsylvania
, a suburb of Philadelphia.
Throughout their early years the Sharks were consistent playoff contenders, advancing to the Grand Final in 1999 and winning a minor premiership in 2002, though never winning a championship title. In 2007 they changed their name to the Bucks County Sharks, reflecting that they played in Bucks County, Pennsylvania
. As a result of internal factors the Sharks suspended operations following the 2009 season, and did not play in the 2010 domestic competition. They remained active outside of the competition; they played a replacement game against the New York Knights
after their scheduled opponents, the Northern Raiders
, forfeited before the match. In December 2010, the Sharks announced they intended to return for the 2011 season. On January 31, 2011, they announced they would be committing to the AMNRL, rather than the upstart USA Rugby League
.
season the club adopted the colors of blue, black and white but their uniforms were predominately blue. Their uniforms are similar in style to the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks of Australia's National Rugby League
, with whom they have a team partnership association. For the 2006 season the club changed their home kit to include a darker blue strip with predominately black socks and shorts. In 2010, the club, along with other AMNRL teams, adopted a new badge.
. Since recent seasons however the team has used the Jack Pearson Stadium (alternatively referred to as Shark Park) located in Bucks County, Pennsylvania
to play all home games.
Bucks County, Pennsylvania
- Industry and commerce :The boroughs of Bristol and Morrisville were prominent industrial centers along the Northeast Corridor during World War II. Suburban development accelerated in Lower Bucks in the 1950s with the opening of Levittown, Pennsylvania, the second such "Levittown" designed by...
. The team played in the American National Rugby League
American National Rugby League
The American National Rugby League is a rugby league football competition for semi-professional clubs in the United States. It is the country's first domestic rugby league competition...
(AMNRL) from 1998–2009 and rejoined the league for the 2011 season
2011 AMNRL season
The 2011 AMNRL season was be the fourteenth season of the American National Rugby League. The Jacksonville Axemen are the reigning champions. Prior to the season seven AMNRL teams withdrew from the league to form the new USA Rugby League....
.
Originally known as the New Jersey Sharks, the team was founded in 1997 and joined the league now known as the AMNRL for its inaugural 1998 season. Despite the name, the team was based not in New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
but in nearby Levittown
Levittown, Pennsylvania
Levittown is a census-designated place and planned community in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States, within the Philadelphia metropolitan area. The population was 52,983 at the 2010 census. It is above sea level...
in Bucks County, Pennsylvania
Bucks County, Pennsylvania
- Industry and commerce :The boroughs of Bristol and Morrisville were prominent industrial centers along the Northeast Corridor during World War II. Suburban development accelerated in Lower Bucks in the 1950s with the opening of Levittown, Pennsylvania, the second such "Levittown" designed by...
. They adopted their current name for the 2007 season
2007 AMNRL season
The 2007 American National Rugby League season was the tenth annual American National Rugby League season of semi-professional rugby league football in North America...
. In 2010 the Sharks suspended operations and did not compete during the 2010 season
2010 AMNRL season
The 2010 American National Rugby League season was the 13th season of the AMNRL. The Pittsburgh Vipers are the newest team to enter the competition and the Bucks County Sharks have withdrawn from the competition.-Teams:...
. The following year they announced their plans to return for the 2011 season.
History
The team was formed in 1997 by Fred Bachaus and Phil Sipos. The Sharks were one of the charter franchises of the competition now known as the American National Rugby LeagueAmerican National Rugby League
The American National Rugby League is a rugby league football competition for semi-professional clubs in the United States. It is the country's first domestic rugby league competition...
(AMNRL), competing in its inaugural 1998 season. Though they played under the name New Jersey Sharks, they were actually based across state lines in nearby Levittown, Pennsylvania
Levittown, Pennsylvania
Levittown is a census-designated place and planned community in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States, within the Philadelphia metropolitan area. The population was 52,983 at the 2010 census. It is above sea level...
, a suburb of Philadelphia.
Throughout their early years the Sharks were consistent playoff contenders, advancing to the Grand Final in 1999 and winning a minor premiership in 2002, though never winning a championship title. In 2007 they changed their name to the Bucks County Sharks, reflecting that they played in Bucks County, Pennsylvania
Bucks County, Pennsylvania
- Industry and commerce :The boroughs of Bristol and Morrisville were prominent industrial centers along the Northeast Corridor during World War II. Suburban development accelerated in Lower Bucks in the 1950s with the opening of Levittown, Pennsylvania, the second such "Levittown" designed by...
. As a result of internal factors the Sharks suspended operations following the 2009 season, and did not play in the 2010 domestic competition. They remained active outside of the competition; they played a replacement game against the New York Knights
New York Knights
The New York Knights were an Arena Football League team based in New York City. They played in the league for one season, 1988. They played their home games at Madison Square Garden. After going 2-10 overall in their only season the team ceased operations...
after their scheduled opponents, the Northern Raiders
Northern Raiders
The New York Raiders are an American semi-professional rugby league football team based in Congers, New York. The team currently plays in the American National Rugby League competition...
, forfeited before the match. In December 2010, the Sharks announced they intended to return for the 2011 season. On January 31, 2011, they announced they would be committing to the AMNRL, rather than the upstart USA Rugby League
USA Rugby League
The USA Rugby League is a semi-professional rugby league football competition based in the United States. The league was founded in 2011 by clubs that had broken with the established American National Rugby League , plus expansion franchises...
.
Uniform and colors
For their inaugural American National Rugby LeagueAmerican National Rugby League
The American National Rugby League is a rugby league football competition for semi-professional clubs in the United States. It is the country's first domestic rugby league competition...
season the club adopted the colors of blue, black and white but their uniforms were predominately blue. Their uniforms are similar in style to the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks of Australia's National Rugby League
National Rugby League
The National Rugby League is the top league of professional rugby league football clubs in Australasia. The NRL's main competition, called the Telstra Premiership , is contested by sixteen teams, fifteen of which are based in Australia with one based in New Zealand...
, with whom they have a team partnership association. For the 2006 season the club changed their home kit to include a darker blue strip with predominately black socks and shorts. In 2010, the club, along with other AMNRL teams, adopted a new badge.
Current roster
- Phil Shipos
- Steve Thompson
- Zach Padgett
- Justin Zadnik
- Fred Backhaus
- Mike McKenzie
- Sal Ranniello
- Tim McCall
- Brian McCall
- Ryan Sodano
- Steve Tormey
- Jeff Pesature
- Dean Schofield
- Pat Mason
- Todd Mason
- Lee Mason
- Josh Jerrold
- Jeff Rogers
- Steve Gill
- Frank Grey
- Joe Mullen
- Mike Romeo
- Dan Johnson
- Viasia Korosetta
- John Logan
- Kyle Gibbons
- Todd Kelly
- Pat Smith
- Anthony Simek
- Jon Vella
- Rob Gimello
- Ian Conklin
- Kyle Silva
- Sam Connor
Stadium
The Sharks have used several stadiums since formation in 1997, however until 2006 predominately used the Falls Township Community Park as their home ground located in Levittown, PennsylvaniaLevittown, Pennsylvania
Levittown is a census-designated place and planned community in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States, within the Philadelphia metropolitan area. The population was 52,983 at the 2010 census. It is above sea level...
. Since recent seasons however the team has used the Jack Pearson Stadium (alternatively referred to as Shark Park) located in Bucks County, Pennsylvania
Bucks County, Pennsylvania
- Industry and commerce :The boroughs of Bristol and Morrisville were prominent industrial centers along the Northeast Corridor during World War II. Suburban development accelerated in Lower Bucks in the 1950s with the opening of Levittown, Pennsylvania, the second such "Levittown" designed by...
to play all home games.