The Bucks County Sharks were a rugby league football team based in Bucks County, Pennsylvania . The team currently plays in the USA Rugby League .
58-624: Originally known as the New Jersey Sharks , the team was founded in 1997 and joined the now-defunct American National Rugby League (AMNRL) for its inaugural 1998 season. Despite the name, the team was based not in New Jersey but in nearby Levittown in Bucks County. They adopted their current name for the 2007 season . The Sharks suspended operations and did not compete in the 2010 season , but rejoined in 2011 and remained in
116-514: A friendly against a touring New Zealand Police squad the following August, losing 6–62. A women's USA Pioneers side played in the Americas qualification tournament for the 2026 Women's Rugby League World Cup as a result of Brazil 's late withdrawal. Naturally, they were unable to take a qualification spot if victorious. They played Canada who received as semi-final bye as the highest ranked side, and Jamaica who lost there semi-final against
174-851: A new league, the USA Rugby League (USARL). Officials cited the lack of club involvement in the AMNRL's decision-making as the reason for the split; the USA Rugby League implemented a constituency which involved member clubs in its administration. The departing teams were the Boston 13s, the D.C. Slayers, the Fairfax Eagles, the Jacksonville Axemen, the New Haven Warriors, the Philadelphia Fight, and
232-855: The 2011 season . Four of these teams, the Aston Bulls, the Connecticut Wildcats , the New York Knights , and the New York Raiders , played in the AMNRL the previous season. The Bucks County Sharks , who did not compete in the 2010 season, also rejoined the league in 2011. A sixth team, the Delaware Vipers, were announced in April 2011 and played during the season. Ostensibly based in Wilmington, Delaware ,
290-582: The 2013 Rugby League World Cup . An independent commission assembled to lead negotiations, however the USARL clubs eventually pulled out. USARL commissioner Peter Illfield blamed apparent dysfunction and disorganization in the AMNRL organization for this decision. The USARL subsequently invited AMNRL clubs to join their ranks as full members and initiated a four-team expansion. In 2014, the USARL expanded to 10 teams, adding expansion squads Atlanta Rhinos , Central Florida Warriors , and Tampa Mayhem . In addition,
348-708: 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 predominantly black socks and shorts. In 2010, the club, along with other AMNRL teams, adopted a new badge. The Sharks currently use Falls Township Community Park (alternatively referred to as Shark Park ) as their home ground located in Levittown, Pennsylvania . American National Rugby League The American National Rugby League ( AMNRL )
406-844: The Fairfax Eagles , the Jacksonville Axemen , the New Haven Warriors , the Philadelphia Fight , and the Pittsburgh Vipers ; they were to be joined by two new teams, the New Jersey Turnpike Titans and Kodiak Rugby from New York City. Before the season Pittsburgh and Fairfax became "developmental" teams in the new league outside of the top-tiered competition; Fairfax subsequently suspended operations. The New York team
464-629: The Jacksonville Axemen and Axewomen , Southwest FL Copperheads , Tampa Mayhem and Mischief , and the Atlanta Rhinos . In 2024, the USARL bid to host the 2029 Wheelchair and 2030 Men's Rugby League World Cup . Starting in 2024, the USARL competition was expanded following teams withdrawing for the NARL in the years previous. The competition would be structured into four regional leagues across an East and West Conference. Winners of each league advance to their respective conference final before
522-575: The Northern Virginia Eagles withdrew from the AMNRL and joined the USARL. To reduce operating costs, the competition was split into two conferences. Meanwhile, the AMNRL suspended its 2014 season. In 2015, three former AMNRL clubs joined the USARL; Bucks County Sharks , Connecticut Wildcats , and New York Knights . The Delaware Black Foxes also joined as an expansion squad. For 2016, the Connecticut Wildcats left
580-633: The Rugby League International Federation (RLIF) as the governing body for the sport in the United States. The domestic competition began with six teams competing and grew to eleven teams by 2010, with plans for westward expansion. On January 12, 2011, a schism occurred with seven teams departing the AMNRL to form the USA Rugby League (USARL), a rival governing body. In the years that followed,
638-644: The US Association of Rugby League, Inc. ) is the national governing body for rugby league in the United States . The organization is responsible for running the domestic club competitions and the United States national rugby league team in addition to other responsibilities. The body was founded in 2011 by clubs that had broken from the established American National Rugby League (AMNRL), plus expansion franchises. The USARL began its inaugural competition season in 2011 with eight teams. The USARL
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#1732788119467696-540: The United States . The Pioneers lost 0–88 to Canada, and 12–48 to Jamaica, finishing last. The USARL established another team to play a second match against the New Zealand Police and to 'curtain-raise' the 2014 USARL National Championship between the Philadelphia Fight and the Jacksonville Axemen . This representative consisted of overseas-imports from Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom and France; similar to Super League 's Exiles . They were beaten by
754-531: The 2013 season, though it continued to organize games for the national team, including the U.S.'s first ever appearance at the Rugby League World Cup in 2013 , in which the Tomahawks reached the quarter-finals. The split between the leagues cost the U.S. its automatic qualification to the 2017 World Cup . In August 2014, the AMNRL announced it would cease operations to end the rift and allow
812-756: The 23-man roster that would make up the New England Immortal side that would represent their region against the British Royal Marines at Tucker Field in Cumberland, Rhode Island, at the end of the month. Despite the loss of the Connecticut, the expanded player pool from newly formed Oneida FC and the Rhode Island Rebellion saw a new breed Immortals, with only three returning veterans. The Immortals took to
870-483: The AMNRL as the sole rugby league body in the United States. The AMNRL was affiliated with the Rugby League International Federation , the sport's world governing body, through Super League America. Expansion of the domestic league became a major goal for the organization, and new teams were added every few years. The Wilmington Vikings (later the New York Raiders) joined the competition in 2002, bringing
928-873: The AMNRL considered them successors to the Media Mantarays , who played in the competition from 2000–2006. In 2011 the AMNRL launched a Hawaii-based competition in partnership with the Hawaii Rugby League. The AMNRL dubbed this the "Pacific Conference", while the East Coast-based competition was named the "Atlantic Conference". Teams listed in the Pacific Conference as of July 16, 2011 are the Hawaii Islanders, Honolulu Titans, Kalihi Raiders, Marist Marauders, Maui Voyagers, and Tama Suma Ie. However, as of that time, only
986-653: The AMNRL suffered from competition with the USARL , and did not host a domestic competition after the 2013 season, though it continued to organize international team games. The organization folded in 2014, with USARL becoming the recognized body for rugby league in the USA. The roots of the American National Rugby League date to 1997, when Super League America was formed to organize a national team , establish an amateur domestic competition, and build
1044-536: The AMNRL to form a new league. The stated reason for the split was dissatisfaction with the governance of the AMNRL; the departing teams were unhappy with the lack of club involvement in the league's decision making, and the new league was founded with the principle of including its member clubs in its administration. The departing AMNRL teams were the Boston Thirteens , the Washington, D.C. Slayers ,
1102-411: The AMNRL, rather than the upstart USA Rugby League . The Sharks competed in the AMNRL until it folded in 2014. The following year they joined the USA Rugby League , along with two other surviving AMNRL clubs. For their inaugural American National Rugby League season the club adopted the colors of blue, black and white but their uniforms were predominantly blue. Their uniforms are similar in style to
1160-533: The East, Midwest, West and Southwest. A further two teams were announced to be joining the league on January 13 – the Las Vegas Warriors and Colorado Blizzard were announced to be part of a Western Conference as well as new teams forming from Los Angeles and San Francisco. Delaware Valley Mantarays merged with Philadelphia Bulldogs in 2006. The AMNRL considers the Delaware Vipers to be successors to
1218-734: The Grand Final. All six teams advanced to the playoffs, which consisted of a three-round single-elimination tournament , with the Grand Final winners receiving the championship title. One of signature events in the AMNRL's domestic schedule was the War at the Shore. The event, held annually in Sea Isle City, New Jersey , generally consisted of full 13-a-side and rugby league sevens games between AMNRL teams, local and national representative sides , and developmental teams. Six teams played in
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#17327881194671276-730: The Immortals joined the latter. Due to the regulations of the separation outlined by the RLIF , only players registered in the AMNRL competition qualified for selection to the USA Tomahawks . Under that same ruling, the Connecticut Wildcats (who opted to stay with the AMNRL) were dropped from selections to the Immortals. The Immortals was now the only representative rugby available to USARL players. In April 2012, Head Coach Robin Peers named
1334-537: The MVP. Performance is not only measured by individual feats but also the influence that player has had on the performance of his respective team. Every season to date has seen an individual awarded the MVP excluding the 2005 season where both Andrew Webster and Erik Hollingsworth were awarded the Most Valuable player after they finished with equal points. USA Rugby League The USA Rugby League (formally
1392-525: The Mantarays. Largest victory : Jacksonville Axemen 90 – 8 Philadelphia Fight (2006) At the conclusion of each season , the title of Most Valuable Player is awarded to the individual who accumulates the most points via a voting system that is undertaken after every game. Each official at the conclusion of a regular-season fixture awards either three, two or one points for the most deserving players on game day; these points are then added up to determine
1450-623: The Marist, Maui, Tama Sulu, and Kalihi teams had played games, and had not played consistently. In addition, other teams competed in AMNRL-sponsored tournaments. The Chicago Stockyarders played two rugby league nines games in 2010. On June 10, 2011, the Utah Avalanche of Salt Lake City , Utah, announced they were joining the AMNRL as a developing team. The Avalanche were formed in early 2011 and were previously aligned with
1508-650: The National level. In 2014, the league established a touring developmental side, the USA Pioneers, to play friendly matches against foreign nations. They completed a two match tour in Jamaica in April 2014, winning their first game against a Jamaican domestic outfit, but fell short to the semi-professional Hurricanes Rugby League whilst still proving to be strong opposition for the Jamaicans. The Pioneers played
1566-606: The Pittsburgh Vipers (later the Pittsburgh Sledgehammers). Five of these teams (all except Fairfax and Pittsburgh), along with three new teams, participated in the USARL's inaugural 2011 season . The AMNRL struggled over the next few years due to the competition from the USARL. The RLIF stepped in to work with the leagues toward an ultimate goal of reunification, but were unable to find a solution. The AMNRL put its domestic competition on hiatus after
1624-572: 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
1682-726: The USARL announced a new Regionalized structure to the national league. The Utah Rugby League Association would now operate as an independent entity distinct from the Pacific Coast Rugby League , managing its competition in accordance with USARL standards. At the end of the season, URLA and PCRL winners will play for the Western Championship, with the winner facing the Eastern Champions for the National Championship. Secondly,
1740-425: The USARL to seek status as the national governing body. From 1998 through 2013, member teams of the domestic competition competed in a Grand Final for the league championship. The winning team received the "Ferrainola Cup", named for American rugby league promoter Sam Ferrainola. Beginning in 2011 , the AMNRL season consisted of an eight-round, seven-game regular season followed by a playoffs series culminating in
1798-587: The USARL, playing in a USARL rugby league nines tournament in Philadelphia in May. In June 2011 they announced they were re-aligning with the AMNRL. On November 26, 2011 the AMNRL announced that the Northern Virginia Eagles , formerly the Fairfax Eagles, would be reforming and joining the competition. In the new year the AMNRL released its 2011 review and announced its "Road to the 2013 Rugby League World Cup " which includes launching teams and competitions in
Bucks County Sharks - Misplaced Pages Continue
1856-626: The USARL, playing in the South Division. Pacific Coast Rugby League (PCRL) joined USARL, operating on the West Coast. PCRL brought Los Angeles Mongrel , San Diego Barracudas , and Santa Rosa Dead Pelicans – all formerly part of California Rugby League – as well as the newly formerly Los Angeles Bandidos into USARL. Additionally, four Utah teams, Riverton Seagulls, Herriman Roosters, Glendale Storm and Provo Broncos began playing USARL sanctioned matches as affiliates of PCRL. In August 2023,
1914-714: The Western Conference, while Carolina Valkyries, Tampa Mischief, Jacksonville Axewomen and New York State Queens to represent the Eastern Conference. The winner of each conference would face off to crown the National Women's Champion. In 2024, the governing body also announced the beginning of Youth Hawks, the Under 20 national team. This is first time since the late 1990s that a USA youth rugby league team will be put together. In late April of 2024,
1972-664: The competition and were replaced by the White Plains Wombats. Before the 2017 season, the D.C. Slayers and Bucks County Sharks left the competition, and the USARL abolished the division structure within the North Conference. Before the 2018 season, the Central Florida Warriors left the competition and were replaced by Southwest Florida Copperheads and Danny Hanson was appointed the second league chairman. The Rhode Island Rebellion also left
2030-614: The competition in 2007, and the Boston Thirteens joined in 2009. Another charter franchise, the Bucks County Sharks, suspended operations in 2010, while the Pittsburgh Vipers were added. In 2010, the AMNRL entered into a relationship with the Star Group to rebrand the league, its assets, and its teams. In 2012, the AMNRL entered into a partnership arrangement with Grand Prix Entertainment to promote and grow
2088-556: The competition. The New York Knights left the competition after the 2018 season. USARL membership has been in flux since the announcement of the North American Rugby League in spring 2021. Boston 13s and Philadelphia Fight left USARL to be founding members of the new competition. White Plains folded after NARL established the New York Freedom. Northern Virginia folded after most of its players joined
2146-411: The creation of a new, fully professional league, the National Rugby League USA (NRLUS), which originally hoped to launch in 2010. The AMNRL would serve as an amateur and semi-professional feeder league for the new competition. However, the new league never got off the ground, with officials blaming the Great Recession . On January 12, 2011, seven teams announced they were breaking with the AMNRL to form
2204-443: The field for their second match since their inception, and despite putting up a hard fight, they were out classed by the more experienced Marines, losing by a score of 68–12. As of 2014, due to budgetary cuts and restructuring of the USARL competition, the Immortals have not played a match since their loss to the Royal Marines. The following is a list of New England Immortals who have played representative rugby (league or union) at
2262-400: The first ever coast to coast National Champion was crowned with Santa Rosa Dead Pelicans defeating defending champions Jacksonville Axemen, 20–16. In late December of 2023, the USARL announced the introduction of Women's National Competition or the Women's Championship for 2024. 6 clubs from both coasts, Los Angeles Mongrel, San Diego Barracudas, and Santa Rosa Dead Pelicans joined to represent
2320-655: The first three seasons of the league, clubs were only present in the North East thus only one geographic group was required. The top four teams advanced to the playoffs ending with the Grand Final. As part of the 2011 season, a former AMNRL team, the Pittsburgh Sledgehammers , participated as a "developmental team", playing a more limited schedule while developing the club for future seasons. The New England Immortals are an inactive representative rugby league football team selected from American players born in New England or those who play for clubs in New England. The New England Immortals were founded in 2010 and consisted of
2378-503: The game in the USA, in return for ownership of the league and TV rights to World Cup matches in 2013. This led to complications regarding the ownership of the league. The AMNRL announced various plans for future expansion at different times. Beginning in 2001 the league announced plans for a Western American National Rugby League (WAMNRL) to develop the sport on the West Coast of the United States . The AMNRL has revisited these plans several times since. In 2009 league officials announced
Bucks County Sharks - Misplaced Pages Continue
2436-452: The league until it folded in 2014. Subsequently, they joined the USARL for the 2015 USARL season . The team was formed in 1997 by Fred Backhaus and Phil Shipos. The Sharks were one of the charter franchises of the AMNRL, competing in its inaugural 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 . Many players were drawn from
2494-404: The local Hibernian Rugby Football Club, or "Hibos". 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
2552-611: The newly established DC Cavalry in NARL. Lakeland Renegades suspended operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2021 USARL season was contested by six teams. Philadelphia and Delaware in the North; Tampa, Jacksonville, Southwest Florida Copperheads, and South Florida Speed in the South. USARL South Championships Tampa Mayhem defeated North winners Delaware Black Foxes in the championship. The North Division has been unable to play in 2022. Multiple forfeits by South Florida Speed in July 2022 have put their future with USARL in doubt. 2023 has seen significant expansion. Atlanta Rhinos rejoined
2610-426: The northeastern branch. The organization was renamed the United States Rugby League , and set its sights on expanding into the Southeastern United States and attracting British rugby league teams to Florida for training camps and international competitions. The USRL was successful in attracting foreign teams and advanced the U.S. national team to the Rugby League World Cup qualifiers for the first time; however, it
2668-473: The number of teams back up to six. The following year the Connecticut Wildcats of Norwalk, Connecticut and the Washington D.C. Slayers joined. In 2006 the league expanded once again to include the Jacksonville Axemen , the New Haven Warriors , and the Boston Braves . After the end of the season, however, the Boston Braves folded, and two charter teams, the Media Mantarays and the Philadelphia Fight, announced they were merging. The Fairfax Eagles joined
2726-448: The others later formed the core of the AMNRL. Super League America organized the domestic competition in 1998 and 1999; the Glen Mills Bulls were declared league champions in both years. In December 1999, Super League America announced a reorganization. The league headquarters moved to Jacksonville, Florida , with Jacksonville marketing executive Steve Gormley made the organization's new president; David Niu would serve as CEO and maintain
2784-425: The regular season championship kicked off on June 4; the Jacksonville Axemen won the minor premiership with the best regular season record. In the inaugural Grand Final on August 27, the Philadelphia Fight defeated the New Haven Warriors to win their first ever national championship. In 2013 the USARL and AMNRL increased their focus on reunification, particularly after the United States ' encouraging showing at
2842-412: The six states that make up New England, while the red white and blue symbolize not only the national colors of the U.S., but also hardiness, valour, vigilance, and perseverance. They played their inaugural match against the Canadian National Team at the 2010 AMNRL "War at the Shore" , on July 31, 2010, defeating the Canadians 12-8 in a tightly contested match. After the AMNRL/ USARL split in 2011,
2900-418: The sport in the United States. The organization was initially established by Rupert Murdoch 's News Corporation in an attempt to spread rugby league to the United States. The organization was run by former professional player David Niu , who had come to Philadelphia in 1992 and had been active in promoting the sport there. Super League America's domestic competition began its inaugural season in 1998, and
2958-404: The top players from the New England–based teams of the AMNRL – the Boston Thirteens , Connecticut Wildcats and the New Haven Warriors . Their logo is based on the Robert Gould Shaw Memorial located on Boston Common at the corner of Beacon and Park Street in Boston, MA. Colonel Shaw commanded the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment during the civil war. There are six stars which represent
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#17327881194673016-412: The unification effort on the East Coast of the United States sees the return of Boston 13s , Brooklyn Kings RLFC , and Delaware Black Foxes with Washington DC Cavalry joining as the Rugby League United competition becomes the Northeastern conference of USARL. Lastly, the USARL South would now become the Florida Rugby League, the rebranding affects both men's and women's teams in the region, including
3074-429: The winners of each facing each other in the Grand Final. Between 2014 and 2023 the USARL competition was split a Northern and Southern Conference with the top four teams advancing to their conference semi-final. Winners of each conference final would contest the Grand Final. California Rugby League (now Pacific Coast Rugby League) was established in 2018 but was not integrated into the USARL competition until 2024. In
3132-415: Was contested by six teams all in the Northeastern United States: the Glen Mills Bulls (later the Aston Bulls), the New Jersey Sharks (now the Bucks County Sharks in the USARL), the New York Broncos (now the New York Knights in the USARL), the Philadelphia Bulldogs (now the Philadelphia Fight in the USARL), the Boston Storm, and the Pennsylvania Raiders. The Boston and Pennsylvania teams soon dropped out;
3190-409: Was granted affiliate membership in November 2014 of the RLIF and RLEF , replacing the AMNRL which is now defunct. The formation of the USA Rugby League was announced on January 12, 2011. Seven teams that had previously competed in the American National Rugby League, the United States' established rugby league organization and recognized governing body for the sport, announced they were breaking with
3248-404: Was soon beset by internal strife. Complications over a deal with the British Rugby Football League led to a dispute that bankrupted the USRL. In the midst of the dispute, in May 2001 the five domestic teams announced they would form a new organization, the American National Rugby League, with Niu as its head. Later that year Gormley sold the USRL's assets to the Rugby Football League, leaving
3306-426: Was the national governing body for rugby league in the United States from 1997 to 2014. The organization was responsible for running the domestic club competitions and the United States national rugby league team in addition to other responsibilities during its time of operation The organization was founded by Australian former professional player David Niu and throughout its existence gained recognition from
3364-453: Was unable to find a suitable stadium in the city, and instead became the Rhode Island Rebellion . One additional team, Oneida FC , joined the top-tiered competition for the 2011 season. On January 13, 2011, the USARL announced that Peter Illfield, chairman of the Philadelphia Fight , would be the league's first chairman. The league's first event was a rugby league nines tournament in the Philadelphia area on May 28–29, 2011. Round 1 of
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