- Bucks County Sharks
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Bucks County Sharks 
Club information Full name Bucks County Sharks
Rugby League Football ClubNickname(s) Sharks Founded 1997 Current details Ground(s) Falls Township Community Park
Bucks County, Pennsylvania (2,500)CEO(s) 
Tim McCallCoach(s) Steve TomeyCaptain(s) Steve Tomey Competition American National Rugby League 2011 TBD 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.
Contents
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 League (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.[1] In December 2010, the Sharks announced they intended to return for the 2011 season.[2][3][4] On January 31, 2011, they announced they would be committing to the AMNRL, rather than the upstart USA Rugby League.[5]
Uniform and colors
File:New Jersey Sharks.jpgTeam badge used until 2010For their inaugural American National Rugby League season the club adopted the colors of blue, black and white but their uniforms were predominately blue.[6] 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.[7] 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, Pennsylvania. 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.
Honors
See also
References
- ^ http://www.americanrugbynews.com/artman/publish/rugby_league/Pier_40_Action.shtml
- ^ http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/buckscountysharksrlc/s/team-news-33695.html&news_id=230475&utm_source=pitchero&utm_medium=homepage&utm_campaign=track&utm_content=teamnews
- ^ http://www.wearerugby.com/news/articles/sharks-rejoin-amnrl
- ^ http://www.rugbyleagueinternationalscores.com/index.php/2011/01/it-starts-all-again/
- ^ Tim McCall (January 31, 2011). "Sharks commit to AMNRL for season 2011". www.pitchero.com/clubs/buckscountysharksrlc/. http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/buckscountysharksrlc/news/sharks-commit-to-amnrl-for-sea-250399.html. Retrieved February 8, 2011.
- ^ Bucks County Sharks - AMNRL - Media
- ^ AMNRL - American National Rugby League
External links
- Official website
Rugby League in the United States Federation 
National team International competitions Domestic competition Teams AMNRL: Aston Bulls · Bucks County Sharks · Connecticut Wildcats · New York Knights · New York Raiders
USARL: Boston Thirteens · Jacksonville Axemen · New Haven Warriors · New Jersey Turnpike Titans · Oneida FC · Philadelphia Fight · Rhode Island Rebellion · Washington DC SlayersAMNRL seasons USARL seasons 2011Sports teams based in and around Philadelphia Baseball 
Basketball Football NFL: Philadelphia Eagles, AFL: Philadelphia Soul, IFL: Lehigh Valley Steelhawks • Reading Express, SIFL: Trenton Steel, WFA: Philadelphia Liberty Belles, IWFL: Philadelphia Firebirds, LFL: Philadelphia PassionHockey Lacrosse Rugby league Roller derby WFTDA: Philly RollergirlsRugby union Soccer MLS: Philadelphia Union, WPS: Philadelphia Independence, NPSL: FC Sonic Lehigh Valley, USLPDL: Reading United A.C., WPSL: Northampton LaurelsTennis College athletics
(NCAA Div. I)Drexel University Dragons • La Salle University Explorers • Saint Joseph's University Hawks • Temple University Owls • University of Delaware Blue Hens • University of Pennsylvania Quakers • Villanova University WildcatsSee also: Philadelphia Big 5 and City 6Main article: Sports in Philadelphia Categories:- American National Rugby League teams
- American rugby league teams
- Rugby league in the Americas
- Sports clubs established in 1997
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