he New York Sharks were the subject of a documentary by Eli Kibillio and Lorna Thomas. The film was titled First Down. Below is a description of the film and the trailer. You need Apple’s Quicktime to view the trailer which is 1:08 in length.

*FIRST DOWN (1 x 54 Min. and 79 Min.versions, Color)There are no cameras, few reporters and only a few hundred fans, but the athletes on this football field and four others around the United States are making history. The Women’s Professional Football League is in its first year of operation and competing against more than the usual problems facing a new sports league. With low salaries, no endorsements and little publicity, the WPFL is facing an even bigger hurdle, the stereotype of women not being tough enough to play tackle football.

FIRST DOWN follows the New York Sharks as they play their first season in the WPFL. We meet former homecoming queen and owner/quarterback Andra Douglas who is struggling to keep her team on track for the play-offs despite dwindling league funds. Anna “Tonka” Tate is a 5’11”, 305-pound offensive line person by night and elementary school teacher’s assistant by day. Former All-American basketball player Val Halesworth has dreamed of playing pro football her entire life and was the MVP of the boys’ league at thirteen. Linebacker can’t imagine life without football as she works her construction job and plays half the season with a broken hand. The film examines the exhilaration of competition and the rigor of the players’ daily lives as they balance careers and families with their passion for football.

The Sharks breeze through the early part of their schedule, but are mired in controversy with the league as the WPFL runs out of money and shortens the regular season. The Sharks are thrust into a first round playoff match-up with their bitter rivals the New England Storm for the Eastern Conference title. The play-off game is a seesaw battle as both teams struggle to reach their dream of playing in the first WPFL Championship Game.

hen 25-year-old Elmhurst resident Tara Passoni was growing up in Western Queens, she was the only girl in her neighborhood who loved to roll up her sleeves, pull back her hair, and play sports with the boys. “I was the only one out there, no matter what the weather was, playing all the sports I could. No other girls played. I was kind of on my on my own, I guess,” she said. Passoni, who once authored a story for the Queens Tribune, isn’t on her own anymore. She is one of approximately 40 members of the world champion New York Sharks, a professional woman’s tackle football team that plays its home games at August Martin High School in Jamaica, making it Queens’ second pro team… behind the New York Mets. Passoni, who plays on both the offensive and defensive lines for the Sharks, said she “loves the game,” and said, “When I was growing up, I played touch football and I watched men’s football, but there was really no opportunity for women in that sport. Now, it’s just so sweet to play it. I love it. I love hitting people. It’s great.” Passoni is the only Queens members of the Sharks, which has been in existence for three years but just this year joined the Independent Woman’s Football League (IWFL) – a national women’s tackle football league with 14 teams across the country. In their freshman effort, the Sharks were undefeated, with four shut-outs in eight games. They went on to beat the Austin Outlaws 24-4 in the IWFL Superbowl, making them league champions. Although the league is “professional in terms of skill and in terms of sponsorship,” according to Sharks General Manager Crystal Turpin, the players on the team are all volunteers, strapping on uniforms and helmets once a week for the “pride and desire to win and be competitive.” She said, “Hopefully in the future, we can pay them. But right now, they play solely for the love of the game.” The women under the elbow pads and behind the chinstraps are cops, construction workers, teachers, doctors, and lawyers. There is an ex-Marine and grandmother. “We have everything,” Turpin said. What all of the women have in common is a love for Queens, the place that the Sharks called home for the 2002 season. Turpin said, “We have been looking for a home for a long time. The people in Queens have accepted us. They love us. They cheer for us. We feel at home here, and I think this is where we’re going to stay.”

Right At Home

From her Manhattan office, Passoni, a professional information security expert, told the Tribune that her older brother, Jason is the man who inspired and encouraged her to watch and play as many different games as possible. “He got me into sports real young. I’ve been playing since I was in diapers basically,” she said. Passoni played softball, basketball, touch football and tennis as a child. She has competed in Olympic weightlifting and crew. She mountain bikes in her free time, and has taught basketball. While she loved all of the sports she has played, she has never felt as at home as she does on the Sharks. “It’s so great to see other women with the same passion for sports that I have,” she told the Tribune. “I so admire their athleticism and abilities. We are so connected on this team. It’s such a spirit of camaraderie … When I was in the 11- to 15-year-old range, things were a lot different than they are for 11- to 15-year olds now. There is just so much more opportunity. I have an 11-year-old sister, and I’m just so glad to see her be able to join track and field and have people not think it’s weird.” While Passoni’s first love is sports, she also loves writing, and she wrote a story for the Queens Tribune in 1998 about religion. “I really enjoyed doing that. It was fun . . . I was friends with Jeremy Olshan – the old editor – who I went to college with at Sarah Lawrence. That was a great experience.”

Unstoppable

Passoni and the rest of the Sharks destroyed the competition this year under Coach Nick Giannatasio, easily winning all eight of their games to become Eastern Division champs during a championship season. They managed to shut out four teams during the year, and outscored their opponents 372 to 18. The most points any team scored against The Sharks during the year was six. Passoni said this season – her second – was all about fun. “My first year was all about intensive learning. The first time you tackle someone is tough. It hurts. If you’ve never played in a real pro game before, with 100 yards and 21 people on the field, it’s a little intimidating, but with practice and experience, you get comfortable in what you’re doing. I sure have.” The IWFL uses the same rules as the National Football League (NFL), and Turpin said, “We do everything the same way. We have the same excitement as any men’s team. We hit just as hard, run just as hard and play just as hard. No men’s team beats anyone 73 to nothing, I’ll tell you that.” The Sharks went to the IWFL Superbowl in Oregon on July 6, and beat the Austin Outlaws 24-4. Turpin said before the game, “We’re confident. But we never take anything for granted.” Maybe they don’t take anything for granted, but the Sharks know that they’re good. During the last game of the season, the Bay State Warriors scored two points on a safety, and Sharks player Anna Tate could be heard yelling with a laugh, “Man, you messed up my point spread.”

On the Sidelines

The Sharks played all of their games on Saturdays, bringing crowds of up to 300 to their field at August Martin High School. Turpin said, “We started with small crowds, and now they’re getting bigger. People are hearing about us, and people are loving us . . . It’s a fun day out. People should check it out.” For $10, fans can watch all four quarters of football from the August Martin bleachers. There is plenty of free street parking, and a barbecue is held every game with Shark Burgers and Shark Dogs for sale. All of the ticket takers and food vendors are either former players or friends of the sharks, and Turpin said, “We’re like a family. Everyone loves the team and is proud of the game. We’re all one here.”

Tragedy Strikes

While Passoni said the game is “exciting and fun,” there is a degree of seriousness to this year’s Sharks team. On Christmas morning 2001, 28-year-old Linebacker Sharon Pascale was killed in a car crash on her way home from a family gathering. Passoni called Pascale, “a great girl and a great athlete,” and said, “this has been a tough year for us. It’s really emotional for all of us.” Each member of the Sharks had the number “51” on their jersey this year in honor of Pascale, and the season was dedicated to her. Passoni said, “It just makes the season all the more important.” She added, “Sept. 11 made the year really tough. Girls on the team lost relatives in the collapse and everything. It was hard. It hasn’t been easy for us this season.” Pascale was one of four Sharks who volunteered at Ground Zero in the weeks following Sept. 11. She was there as a member of the Red Cross, Offensive Lineman Beth Nugent was there as a Nassau County Police Officer, Punter Aurora Lighthart was there as an EMT, and Offensive Lineman Nikki Cerrato was there as a construction worker helping with clean-up. Turpin said, “Beth pulled someone to safety at Ground Zero. They really helped.”

Making History

The IWFL was formed in 2000, and is one of the first pro women’s tackle football leagues. Team members are chosen through open try-outs, which are announced on the team website. Turpin said, “Most of the girls on the team played flag football. I used to. That’s how they learned to play.” The owner of the Sharks is Andra Douglas, one of the team’s quarterbacks. The team is looking for more sponsors, and Turpin said, “We’re looking to expand. We are going to grow.” The team is already on the radar of Queens Borough President Helen Marshall, who honored the team recently for their outstanding season. For more information on the Sharks, or to suggest a name for their anonymous shark mascot, go to www.nysharksfootball.com, or call Turpin at 646-552-5798.

-by Angela Montefinise

Ribby Goodfellow (f.l.) and Jennifer Gerson (f.r) present congratulatory letter from Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton to NY Sharks Owner/Quarterback Andra Douglas (r.) and General Manager Crystal Turpin (l.) for winning the National Championship of the IWFL on July 6, 2002. Celebration took place at Mickey Mantle’s Restaurant on July 25th.

ill Liederman, owner of Mickey Mantle’s Restaurant provided the perfect place for a grand evening as the New York Sharks celebrated their National Championship victory on Thursday, July 25th.

Among the guests were Cris Reeves from Governor Pataki’s office, Ribby Goodfellow, representing Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton and Sports Commissioner Ken Podziba from Mayor Bloomberg’s office.

Goodfellow read one of the letters presented to the winning team. “It gives me great pleasure to send greetings to each of you celebrating the accomplishments of the New York Sharks Women’s Pro Tackle Football Team.

A mere three weeks ago, the New York Sharks made history. The Sharks broke new ground in women’s athletics in 2002 by completing a shutout season and then winning the Independent Women’s Football League’s inaugural Championship Game. True to the ‘larger-than-life’ energy that embodies New York, the Sharks displayed finesse and force in their 24-4 win against the Austin Outlaws.

Each member of the New York Sharks embodies the determination that has led the team to its extraordinary success. I especially commend the work of Andra Douglas, the New York Sharks’ owner and quarterback, for her dedication to advancing women’s football here in New York…Sincerely, Hillary Rodham Clinton.”

The proud team members got to hear another letter that Ken Podziba brought along adding: “On behalf of the City of New York, I commend all those associated with the New York Sharks for an outstanding, undefeated season. You are tru champions and an inspiration to young girls throughout our great City”.

Was this all that defined history for this awesome team? Andra Douglas shared a letter that she had received after the Director of Exhibits at the Women’s Museum in Dallas, Texas had requested a team uniform: “We are very excited at the opportunity to exhibit a New York Sharks uniform! It will be the perfect accompaniment to the other Objects in the exhibit. Your uniform will be alongside Babe Didrickson’s golf bag, Christy Barrett’s snowboard, Althea Gibson’s Wimbledon trophy, and Michelle Kwan’s skate among other notable items.”

What’s next? Hmmm…seems there was a women named Bev who was interviewing the players for a Queens cable tv program. I’ll let you know when it will be aired.

-by Merle Exit

Although the New York Sharks, with their sixth win, had already cemented their title as the IWFL Eastern Division Champions, they were still driven by an unseen but easily felt force – their late captain and teammate, Sharon Pascale, #51.

As most who follow the Sharks and the IWFL are aware, the team lost Sharon, their starting linebacker and co-captain to an early morning car accident on Christmas Day 2001. The Sharks publicly dedicated their entire 2002 season to honoring Sharon’s memory. They privately promised her the undefeated season that she always knew they could accomplish.

Sharon, in her all-too-short time with us, was an inspiration to everyone and everything around her. She showed others that with strength of character, not just body, you could achieve anything you set your sights on. She was more than just a talented athlete and a leader amongst peers. She was a teacher, a cousin, an aunt, a sister, a daughter, and a friend. She played football (and softball) the way she lived her life: hard and all-out, gaining and sharing wisdom, maintaining dignity and humor above all.

In winning the last two games of their 2002 season, the Sharks did something much more significant than reserving a spot for themselves in the IWFL Championship Game. They kept a promise made to a fallen comrade in the darkest hours and saddest times. The team persevered when they felt they could not go on. They banded together when they felt like falling apart. They gave back that 110% that Sharon always afforded them… and having done so, completed a perfect season.

This one’s for you, Sharon! May your grace and laughter shine over us and show through us… guiding us down the field of life.

Ariadne “Red” DeGarr
NY Sharks, #86 – DT

he football player hopefuls came early on Saturday morning to Cow Meadow Park in Freeport, Long Island. They followed the signs to what they hope would get them a spot the 2002 New York Sharks roster. Click on the image to the right to watch a video of the tryouts.

It was a clear and cool day, with a bit of wind in the air. Actually a perfect day to run around a field trying to impress the Sharks’ braintrust.

After registration, the hopefuls were put through a series of drills. These drills were designed to show what basic talents (like speed, coordination, and strength) they had. The players had to do push-ups, sit-ups, run the 40 yard dash, and run through obstacles. All the while, Sharks’ staff were watching and timing the players trials.

After evaluating each players based on their raw talents, the staff looked at football specific skills, such as passing receiving, and kicking. In some instances, it was the very first time a player had tired to punt a football. Sometimes the player would be surprised by their ability and sometimes not.

After the tryouts, the Sharks’ owner, Andra Douglas addressed the hopefuls. Decisions on who will make the team would not be made until after the other 2 tryouts are held over the next 2 months. Those that make the cut will be invited to a mini-camp in February. Until then, they should all continue to work out and brush up on the finer points of football. All were also invited to join the New York Sharks Red-Shirt Team which is an open practice each week, where players can work on their football skills supervised by Sharks staff. If you would be interested in joing the Red-Shirt team, contact Crystal Turpin.

Among the players trying out was one who came all the way from Ohio and two players who are professional boxers. Pictured to the right are middleweight Veronica “Vicious” Simmons, ranked #3 and heavyweight Keisha Snow, ranked #2. Both players love the sport of football, but more importantly to them, they loved facing another challenge. Click on the image to the right to watch a video of these boxers.

It was a heck of a game. The quarterback would show you some of her better bruises, but modesty forbids.

So how about a description of the big game last Sunday, in which Val Halesworth (a k a Crazy Val) of the New York Sharks threw the winning touchdowns against the Minnesota Vixens, in a Women’s Professional Football League exhibition game. Tackle football, we’re talking, at the Mitchell Athletic Complex in Uniondale, on Long Island.

“The gun fires, everybody flies down the field,” says Ms. Halesworth, the 133-pound quarterback, who is a coach at Oyster Bay High and who has brought along to the interview at the school a teammate, Missy Marmorale, a construction worker. “I try to bootleg; the defensive end didn’t bite. She grabbed my shirt a little bit, and I stiff-armed her” – happy conspiratorial chuckle between teammates here – “and I threw the pass: 71-yard pass, only in the air for about 40.”

So it was exciting to finally be able to play tackle football?

“It was so great,” Ms. Halesworth says. “We’ve been talking about it for a year. Any conversation always turns into football. It’s our passion. We love it, like an artist likes to paint, like a writer like to write —“

“I like to smash people,” Ms. Marmorale says.

Some believed they would never see women play pro football, and despite what you may have heard about the Sharks’ one-time game, they probably still have not.

Professionals, after all, get paid, and the New York Sharks, many of whom are members of a flag (no tackling) football team called the Long Island Sharks, did not. Also, you never heard of an N.F.L. player asked to sell tickets. Ms. Halesworth, 33, was, selling $400 worth.

There weren’t a lot of spectators at the game either, about 300 in a 12,000-seat stadium, though one gets the feeling that if creditors of the league’s Minnesota-based founders have been invited, there might have been. The league’s director, Terry Sullivan, and president, Carter Turner, have a business record that is heavy in the loss column.

Some arenas refuse to let their teams play because of failure to pay. Mr. Sullivan was reported by the St. Paul Pioneer Press to have debts of $40,000 from his semipro Mid-American Football League. At the moment, the Sharks’ founder, Jacqueline Colon, has no plans to pay the $50,000 to join the women’s league.

Still, why should that reflect on New York’s first female football hero, who threw two touchdowns in Sunday’s game?

Ms. Halesworth “bleeds football.” Talks like the tomboy in the old Dead End Kids movies, extra tough, though she undercuts the effect by calling her visitor before the lunchtime interview and asking her if she can bring her something to eat. Wears baby blue eye shadow that matches her sweater, but under the sweater, there are tattoos, a bellybutton ring, and two other piercings in places where most ladies, playing contact sports, would not desire them. Is self-conscious about her battered hands, although her boyfriend, who drives an 18-wheeler, got on her about it, she took care of him the way she handled the Vixens.

“I said, ‘Take it or leave it; it comes with the territory,'” she says. “I’m not dainty.”

What she is – was, growing up in Oyster Bay – is a jock; the first girl to play football with the local police boys’ club, captain of the Oyster Bay High field hockey, basketball and softball teams. In her scrapbooks, there is a picture of Ms. Halesworth, at 8, receiving an M.V.P. award at the boys’ club, with her dad, an auto mechanic, smiling proudly.

In fact, says Ms. Halesworth, whose parents are now divorced, her father was never there for her. It was her mom, a teacher’s aide, who went to the officials of the boy’s club when they said a girl couldn’t play football and Ms. Halesworth came home in tears. As for encouragement from her dad, there was none.

“No pleasing him, I’d come home from a game, scored 30 points, and he’d want to know why I missed the foul shot. I think sometimes that’s why I tried so hard in sports: I kind of had to prove myself.”

Ms. Halesworth gets a full basketball scholorship to the University of Pittsburgh, leaves a few months shy of graduation after arguing with her coach; she was immature, she says now. She began coaching at Oyster Bay High eight years ago. – oops, excuse us a moment, Ms. Halesworth is getting a call from an orthopedic surgeon, who wants to help the team. Where were we? – last weekend’s win was the best day of her life.

One hates to rain on anyone’s game, but a pierced football player can probably handle it. Ms. Halesworth has heard of the league’s financial problems. A sad nod.

“Monday, people were saying the Sharks won the Super Bowl. Now we hear all the horror stories behind the scene, and the dream fizzles a little.”

Some stories:

“They had these beautiful jerseys they were going to give us. We got these paper-thin little iron-ons – not that I care, I’d play in rags. They told us things that didn’t pan out: we were going to go to the Jets-Giants game, going to be introduced at halftime, were going to have press conferences, maybe be on TV.”

She really thinks there will be a professional women’s league?

A shrug. “If it doesn’t happen, so be it. The sun will come up tomorrow, and I’ll still play ball, someway, somehow.”

by Joyce Wadler

Originally appeared on oxygen.com

ocal export to the Empire State and women’s professional football pioneer Andra Douglas will be honored this month along with a fellow teammate as representatives of women’s football as the Sportswoman of the Year Award is presented on October 21.

Douglas is a creative director and athlete. After graduating from Zephyrhills High School and later with honors from Florida State University where she was a member of the two-time National Champion Women’s Rugby Team, she began playing semi-pro golf. In 1983 she moved to New York City where she received her masters degree in communications design from Pratt Institute.

Nineteen years later, she resides in her 1837 brownstone in the heart of New York’s Greenwich Village. After leaving Time-Warner as a Vice President, she works from her rooftop studio as a creative consultant for the entertainment industry doing packaging, advertising, and copywriting.

In August of 2000, Douglas purchased the New York Sharks Women’s Tackle Football Team. Her roles on the New York Sharks include owner and one of two quarterbacks on her 40-player roster. The Sharks, after only three years in existence are ranked number one of over 70 teams across the nation.

Despite success on the field, the purse strings are tight for the organization. With an annual budget of $75,000 to $100,000 per year to operate, Douglas and the Sharks rely on a non-profit foundation called Fins Up Foundation for Female Athletes to help defray costs as well as spread the word of the sport and community involvement to the New York area. She also devotes a good portion of her time to giving speeches to aspiring female athletes.

“We try to get women involved in the sport (football),” she said. “It builds confidence and gives you an arsenal for life.”

Two of Douglas favorite professional accomplishments include a novel about her childhood passion of football, and the recent national title won the the Sharks on July 6, in Ashland, Oregon.

The Sportswoman of the Year Award recognizes the exceptional athletic performances and achievements of female athletes over a 12-month period. Criteria are based on new records and world championships won during the 12 months. The winners will be announced next Monday at the Annual Salute to Women Sports Award Dinner.

Douglas will be honored as a pioneer in the sport and her co-quarterback Valerie Halesworth has been nominated for the award. Halesworth plays quarterback and strong safety for the New York Sharks. The Sharks competed in the inaugural Independent Women’s Football League Championship and defeated the Austin Outlaws, in July of 2002 to finish off their undefeated 9-0 season.

The New York 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 was formed. It consisted of two teams, the Minnesota Vixens and the Lake Michigan Minx. They barnstormed around the country playing each other in what was called the “No Lins” 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.

The New York Sharks prepared for the 2001 season as a member of the Women’s Professional Football League. But there soon became some disagreements between the league and the Sharks on what was expected from each party. The Sharks already had the players set to go so management decided to pull the team out of the WPFL and play the 2000 season as an independent team.

The 2001 season consisted of a 10 game schedule with some games against the WPFL, like the Tampa Tempest and old arch-rival New England Storm but also included other independent teams. Some of these teams were members of other leagues like the IWFL Arizona Titans, while another was a team that had also pulled out of the WPFL, the Syracuse Sting (formerly known as the New York Galaxy).

The season was a strong one for the Sharks as they finished the season with 6-1 record.

On September 11th, the World Trade Center was attacked. Fear and sorrow surrounded the nation and especially around New York City. The games were postponed for the next 3 weeks as it was difficult for teams to get flights to New YorkCity and playing football just didn’t seem right with Ground Zero being only 10 miles away.

While Douglas’ athletic career is winding down, she plans to continue helping women’s football through its struggles for acceptance and success.

Dave Hasselman

A veritable “Who’s-Who” of sports celebrities were on hand this past Monday, April 19th for the 10th Annual Nassau County Sports Commission awards dinner. The ceremony was held at the Chateau Briand banquet hall in Carle Place, New York.

Our very own Andra Douglas was awarded the Female Professional Athlete of the Year award, complemented by a dozen red roses sent by her parents, Christine and Henry Douglas, who could not attend. The moment was very special indeed. “I’m so very honored by this, the words are difficult to find”, Douglas said.

Andra received this honor in the company of several other distinguished recipients. Among them were: John Velasquez (Breeders Cup Champion), Kellen Winslow II (Tight End, University of Miami), Frank Deford (celebrated sports writer at Sports Illustrated), basketball legend Julius “Dr. J” Erving and retired NFL Quarterback Boomer Esiason, to name a few. The photograph seen here of Andra and Mr. Esiason was significant as they are both quarterbacks, left-handed, and wear number 7 jerseys!

Also on hand from the Sharks organization was wide receiver Dana Sparling and Marketing Director, Bob Leone.

Our congratulations to you, Andra…..you’ve made us proud!

Dana Donahue-Sparling, Bob Leone, Andra Douglas, Boomer Esiason

n the evening of October 21st, over a thousand people went to the Waldorf-Astoria hotel in New York City. They came to attend the Womens Sports Foundation‘s annual salute to women in sports awards dinner. Over 80 female athletes were in attendance as the foundation honored women who have made tremendous strides in sports, both on the field and off.

The Sharks were well represented at the dinner with owner Andra Douglas, general manager Crystal Turpin, right guard Anna “Tonka” Tate, and friends of the team in the audience.

The big award that New York Sharks fans were interested in was the naming of the Sportswoman of the Year for a team sport. Our very own quarterback Val Halesworth was nominated along with Sue Bird, Misty May and Kerri Walsh, Anna Mickelson, Tiffeny Milbrett, Stacey Nuveman, Brenda Villa, and Hayley Wickenheiser. Bird was named the winner for her strong basketball play for the University of Connecticut Huskies and the Seattle Storm of the WNBA.

From left to right: Alison Jenkins, Michelle Nieves, Andra Douglas, Christine Douglas (Andra’s mom), Crystal Turpin, Anna Tate, and Henry Douglas (Andra’s dad)