Women's Flat Track Derby Association
Encyclopedia
The Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) is an association of women's flat track roller derby
leagues in the United States
. The organization was founded in April 2004 as the United Leagues Coalition (ULC) but was renamed in November 2005. It is registered in Raleigh, North Carolina
as a 501(c)(6) business league organization, which is a type of non-profit organization
. According to its mission statement, the organization "promotes and fosters the sport of women's flat track roller derby by facilitating the development of athletic ability, sportsmanship, and goodwill among member leagues" and its governing philosophy is "by the skaters, for the skaters" — the primary owners, managers, and operators of each member league and of the association are women skaters, although this does not preclude any particular business structure (leagues don't have to be legally incorporated or internally egalitarian). The mission statement also says WFTDA sets "standards for rules, seasons, and safety, and determining guidelines for the national and international athletic competitions of member leagues" and says "all member leagues have a voice in the decision-making process, and agree to comply with WFTDA policies."
through which established leagues compared notes in order to prepare for interleague play, and it was also used to exchange information to help new leagues that were just getting started.
In November 2005, the ULC voted to change its name to the Women's Flat Track Derby Association.
Induction of new member leagues was postponed until revised membership requirements could be discussed at the next face-to-face meeting, scheduled for the end of May. However, in February 2006, soon after the initial requirements were published and following the fragmentation of several leagues, a "multi-league per city" clause was added to the membership requirements. Although throughout early and mid-2006 the clause was listed as a requirement for membership, WFTDA's web site was later updated to state that the policy is "unofficial". WFTDA also claims the policy is intended to uphold goodwill between members — by excluding leagues not likely to find favor with established members — as well as to prevent rival leagues in the same city from being privy to each other's "proprietary information."
Following the May 2006 meeting, a press release was issued to promote the organization and publicize the meeting. The June statement covered the following points:
In addition, Eastern and Western divisions, delineated by the Mississippi River
, were announced. Thus, each member league is either Eastern or Western, and Division 1, 2 or 3.
In September 2006, new membership was reopened.
network to record, edit and broadcast the 2007 Eastern Regional Tournament as a weekly series of 12 one-hour episodes (one episode per bout).
In mid-2007, WFTDA's Web site was updated to reflect changes in the requirements for placement in the three divisions: it is now based on seniority, as measured by readiness for inter-league play and the number of seasons completed while a WFTDA member (see table below).
In September 2007, WFTDA was admitted to USA Roller Sports
(USARS) as a Class V member — a national amateur roller skating organization — and a WFTDA delegate joined the USARS Board of Directors.
would be eligible for membership.
In June 2008, the WFTDA Rules Committee created a Question and Answer forum to "provide definitive and final answers about the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association Standard Rules.
In July 2008, WFTDA began a referee certification program.
In September 2008, WFTDA had grown to 60 leagues, and the official WFTDA magazine fiveonfive began publication.
In November 2008, a flyer was published announcing that for 2009, WFTDA member leagues would be divided into four regions, rather than two: West, South Central, North Central, and East. Each region has a tournament scheduled, followed by a national championship:
became the first Canadian league admitted as a member. The league was WFTDA's 66th member, and was placed in the East region.
Also in January, the WFTDA announced it would stop accepting applications for new membership from February until July, so that it could concentrate on internal restructuring in order to, among other things, "grow the scope" of the organization.
In April 2009 the WFTDA published revised rules, WFTDA Rules 4.0. The revised rule-set became effective for all WFTDA sanctioned bouts on June 1, 2009.
In May 2009, the first officially sanctioned international WFTDA bout was played between Montreal Roller Derby and Harrisburg Area Roller Derby at the Olympic Skating Center in Enola, PA.
In July 2009, the WFTDA announced its new apprentice program for aspiring member leagues that replaced its traditional membership application process. The program is designed to act as a "WFTDA 101" tutorial, and will match new leagues with an established WFTDA mentor, who will guide the apprentice through the processes and requirements necessary to becoming a full member. Upon completion of the program, apprentice leagues will have the knowledge (and the recommendations) needed to apply for full WFTDA membership.
In November 2009 the WFTDA opened for worldwide membership and the London Rollergirls
became the first league outside North America to join as apprentice members.
, North Central
, South Central
and Western Regional Tournaments
. The top three leagues in each tournament qualify for the WFTDA Championships
, held in November. The winner of the Championships is awarded the Hydra Trophy
. Together, the four qualifying tournaments and Championships are termed the "Big 5".
Many roller derby leagues that are not WFTDA members use the WFTDA rules.
Member teams unranked at this time:
Roller derby
Roller derby is a contact sport played by two teams of five members roller skating in the same direction around a track. Game play consists of a series of short matchups in which both teams designate a scoring player who scores points by lapping members of the opposing team...
leagues in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The organization was founded in April 2004 as the United Leagues Coalition (ULC) but was renamed in November 2005. It is registered in Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh is the capital and the second largest city in the state of North Carolina as well as the seat of Wake County. Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its many oak trees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city's 2010 population was 403,892, over an area of , making Raleigh...
as a 501(c)(6) business league organization, which is a type of non-profit organization
Non-profit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
. According to its mission statement, the organization "promotes and fosters the sport of women's flat track roller derby by facilitating the development of athletic ability, sportsmanship, and goodwill among member leagues" and its governing philosophy is "by the skaters, for the skaters" — the primary owners, managers, and operators of each member league and of the association are women skaters, although this does not preclude any particular business structure (leagues don't have to be legally incorporated or internally egalitarian). The mission statement also says WFTDA sets "standards for rules, seasons, and safety, and determining guidelines for the national and international athletic competitions of member leagues" and says "all member leagues have a voice in the decision-making process, and agree to comply with WFTDA policies."
2004
In its first year, the ULC was an informal electronic message boardInternet forum
An Internet forum, or message board, is an online discussion site where people can hold conversations in the form of posted messages. They differ from chat rooms in that messages are at least temporarily archived...
through which established leagues compared notes in order to prepare for interleague play, and it was also used to exchange information to help new leagues that were just getting started.
2005
The ULC evolved into a more formal organization in July 2005, when representatives of 20 leagues met in Chicago to discuss establishing a governing body for women's flat-track roller derby. At the meeting, a voting system was established, as was a set of goals and a timeline was established for facilitating interleague play. Among these goals was the production of a standard track design and standard game rules. The design and rules which were settled upon and distributed later that year.In November 2005, the ULC voted to change its name to the Women's Flat Track Derby Association.
2006
In early 2006, a track design and rules were published on the organization's fledgling web site. By that time, the organization had grown to 30 leagues, a cap decided upon at the July 2005 meeting.Induction of new member leagues was postponed until revised membership requirements could be discussed at the next face-to-face meeting, scheduled for the end of May. However, in February 2006, soon after the initial requirements were published and following the fragmentation of several leagues, a "multi-league per city" clause was added to the membership requirements. Although throughout early and mid-2006 the clause was listed as a requirement for membership, WFTDA's web site was later updated to state that the policy is "unofficial". WFTDA also claims the policy is intended to uphold goodwill between members — by excluding leagues not likely to find favor with established members — as well as to prevent rival leagues in the same city from being privy to each other's "proprietary information."
Following the May 2006 meeting, a press release was issued to promote the organization and publicize the meeting. The June statement covered the following points:
- Representatives of the "30 founding leagues" met to discuss rules, business structure, skill standards, rankings and future tournaments.
- 30 more leagues were slated to be inducted in late summer 2006, bringing the total membership to 60.
- Version Two of the WFTDA Flat Track Derby Standardized Rules for Interleague Play was announced as forthcoming in late summer, 2006.
- Changes to the member league divisions were announced (see table below).
- A 2007 tournament schedule was announced.
In addition, Eastern and Western divisions, delineated by the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
, were announced. Thus, each member league is either Eastern or Western, and Division 1, 2 or 3.
In September 2006, new membership was reopened.
2007
By late August 2007, WFTDA membership was up to forty-three leagues. On August 15, 2007, WFTDA announced it had struck a deal with the MavTVMavTV
Mav TV is a digital cable channel, focused towards men in the 18-54 age group. It features original programming centered around topics that appeals to men, such as sports, comedies, gadgets, gaming, and women.-History:...
network to record, edit and broadcast the 2007 Eastern Regional Tournament as a weekly series of 12 one-hour episodes (one episode per bout).
In mid-2007, WFTDA's Web site was updated to reflect changes in the requirements for placement in the three divisions: it is now based on seniority, as measured by readiness for inter-league play and the number of seasons completed while a WFTDA member (see table below).
In September 2007, WFTDA was admitted to USA Roller Sports
USA Roller Sports
USA Roller Sports , formerly the United States Amateur Confederation of Roller Skating, is the national governing body of competitive roller sports in the United States...
(USARS) as a Class V member — a national amateur roller skating organization — and a WFTDA delegate joined the USARS Board of Directors.
2008
In February 2008, WFTDA announced that leagues from CanadaCanada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
would be eligible for membership.
In June 2008, the WFTDA Rules Committee created a Question and Answer forum to "provide definitive and final answers about the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association Standard Rules.
In July 2008, WFTDA began a referee certification program.
In September 2008, WFTDA had grown to 60 leagues, and the official WFTDA magazine fiveonfive began publication.
In November 2008, a flyer was published announcing that for 2009, WFTDA member leagues would be divided into four regions, rather than two: West, South Central, North Central, and East. Each region has a tournament scheduled, followed by a national championship:
- September 11–13, 2009: Eastern Regionals in Raleigh, NC
- September 18–20, 2009: North Central Regionals in St. Paul, MN
- September 25–27, 2009: South Central Regionals in Atlanta, GA
- October 2–4, 2009: Western Regionals in Denver, CO
- November 6–8, 2009: Nationals in Philadelphia, PA
2009
In January 2009, Montreal Roller DerbyMontreal Roller Derby
Montreal Roller Derby, the first flat-track roller derby league in Montreal, is a non-profit organization that was started in 2006 by Georgia W. Tush.Montreal Roller Derby League became the first non-U.S...
became the first Canadian league admitted as a member. The league was WFTDA's 66th member, and was placed in the East region.
Also in January, the WFTDA announced it would stop accepting applications for new membership from February until July, so that it could concentrate on internal restructuring in order to, among other things, "grow the scope" of the organization.
In April 2009 the WFTDA published revised rules, WFTDA Rules 4.0. The revised rule-set became effective for all WFTDA sanctioned bouts on June 1, 2009.
In May 2009, the first officially sanctioned international WFTDA bout was played between Montreal Roller Derby and Harrisburg Area Roller Derby at the Olympic Skating Center in Enola, PA.
In July 2009, the WFTDA announced its new apprentice program for aspiring member leagues that replaced its traditional membership application process. The program is designed to act as a "WFTDA 101" tutorial, and will match new leagues with an established WFTDA mentor, who will guide the apprentice through the processes and requirements necessary to becoming a full member. Upon completion of the program, apprentice leagues will have the knowledge (and the recommendations) needed to apply for full WFTDA membership.
In November 2009 the WFTDA opened for worldwide membership and the London Rollergirls
London Rollergirls
The London Rollergirls is an all-women flat track roller derby league and not-for-profit organisation based in London, England. Founded in April 2006, the London Rollergirls is the oldest all-female roller derby league in the United Kingdom...
became the first league outside North America to join as apprentice members.
2010
In June 2010, the WFTDA announced the first round of Apprentice league graduates, and formed two new regions outside of the United States. (Leagues in those regions will compete in the closest US region until they develop more fully.)Championship tournaments
Each WFTDA region holds a tournament in September or October: the EasternWFTDA Eastern Regional Tournament
The WFTDA Eastern Regional Tournament or WFTDA East Region Playoffs is one of four roller derby qualifying tournaments for the WFTDA Championships....
, North Central
WFTDA North Central Regional Tournament
The WFTDA North Central Regional Tournament or WFTDA North Central Region Playoffs is one of four roller derby qualifying tournaments for the WFTDA Championships.The Tournament is organised by the Women's Flat Track Derby Association...
, South Central
WFTDA South Central Regional Tournament
The WFTDA South Central Regional Tournament or WFTDA South Central Region Playoffs is one of four roller derby qualifying tournaments for the WFTDA Championships.The Tournament is organised by the Women's Flat Track Derby Association...
and Western Regional Tournaments
WFTDA Western Regional Tournament
The WFTDA Western Regional Tournament or WFTDA West Region Playoffs is one of four roller derby qualifying tournaments for the WFTDA Championships....
. The top three leagues in each tournament qualify for the WFTDA Championships
WFTDA Championships
The WFTDA Championships are the leading competition for roller derby leagues.The Championships are organised by the Women's Flat Track Derby Association . They originated in 2006 as the National WFTDA Championship...
, held in November. The winner of the Championships is awarded the Hydra Trophy
Hydra Trophy
The Hydra Trophy is a trophy awarded to the Women's Flat Track Derby Association team that wins the WFTDA Championship Tournament at the conclusion of every WFTDA season....
. Together, the four qualifying tournaments and Championships are termed the "Big 5".
WFTDA league divisions
| Division | Definition to mid-2006 | Definition to mid-2007 | Current definition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Finished one season (season minimum: five games, including exhibition games), and "is ready to travel by being in compliance with interleague standards of play". | Finished three seasons including inter-league play. | Finished two seasons as a WFTDA member and is engaged in inter-league play. |
| 2 | Actively bouting and has completed at least one public game, including one or more exhibition games. | Finished at least one season "including inter-league play" | Finished one season as a WFTDA member and is engaged in or ready for inter-league play. |
| 3 | Still forming / has not completed any public games (including exhibition games), but is in compliance with WFTDA membership standards. | In training / has not completed one season. | Has not yet completed one season as a WFTDA member. |
Apprentice Leagues
As of September, 2011, the following 65 leagues are enrolled in WFTDA's Apprentice Program :Many roller derby leagues that are not WFTDA members use the WFTDA rules.
Former members
- Orange County Roller Girls - Orange County, CAOrange County, CaliforniaOrange County is a county in the U.S. state of California. Its county seat is Santa Ana. As of the 2010 census, its population was 3,010,232, up from 2,846,293 at the 2000 census, making it the third most populous county in California, behind Los Angeles County and San Diego County...
(January 2008–March 2009) - East Texas Bombers - Tyler, TX (November 2005-July 2009)
- Salt City Derby GirlsSalt City Derby GirlsThe Salt City Derby Girls Banked Track league is based in Salt Lake City,Utah.Formed in 2005, , SCDG is composed of four local teams and one all-star traveling team....
- Salt Lake City, UT (March 2011)
Rankings
| Rank | Region | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| East | North Central | South Central | West | |
| 1 | Gotham Girls Roller Derby | Windy City Rollers | Kansas City Roller Warriors | Oly Rollers |
| 2 | Philly Rollergirls | Detroit Derby Girls | Texas Rollergirls | Rocky Mountain Rollergirls |
| 3 | Charm City Roller Girls | Minnesota RollerGirls | Nashville Rollergirls | Denver Roller Dolls |
| 4 | Steel City Derby Demons | Naptown Roller Girls | Atlanta Rollergirls | Rose City Rollers |
| 5 | Montreal Roller Derby | Cincinnati Roller Girls | Houston Rollergirls | B.ay A.rea D.erby Girls |
| 6 | Boston Derby Dames | Mad Rollin' Dolls | Tampa Bay Derby Darlins | Rat City Rollergirls |
| 7 | Carolina Rollergirls | Brewcity Bruisers | No Coast Derby Girls | Sacred City Derby Girls |
| 8 | Dutchland Derby Rollers | Arch Rival Rollergirls | Green Country Roller Girls | Jet City Rollergirls |
| 9 | Maine Roller Derby | The Chicago Outfit | Gold Coast Derby Grrls | Tucson Roller Derby |
| 10 | London Rollergirls | Ohio Roller Girls | Omaha Rollergirls | Angel City Derby Girls |
| 11 | DC Rollergirls | Grand Raggidy Roller Girls | Hard Knox Rollergirls | Emerald City Roller Girls |
| 12 | Suburbia Roller Derby | North Star Roller Girls | Duke City Derby | Silicon Valley Roller Girls |
| 13 | Providence Roller Derby | Bleeding Heartland Roller Girls | Dallas Derby Devils | Slaughter County Roller Vixens |
| 14 | Queen City Roller Girls | Fort Wayne Derby Girls | Tallahassee Rollergirls | Arizona Roller Derby |
| 15 | CT RollerGirls | Burning River Roller Girls | Memphis Roller Derby | Bellingham Roller Betties |
| 16 | Dominion Derby Girls | Sioux Falls Roller Dollz | Big Easy Rollergirls | Santa Cruz Derby Girls |
| 17 | River City Rollergirls | Tri-City Roller Girls | Oklahoma Victory Dolls | Pikes Peak Derby Dames |
| 18 | Harrisburg Area Roller Derby | Paper Valley Roller Girls | Jacksonville Rollergirls | Wasatch Roller Derby |
| 19 | Long Island Roller Rebels | Killamazoo Derby Darlins | Northwest Arkansas Roller Derby | Central Coast Roller Derby |
| 20 | Central NY Roller Derby | Derby City Rollergirls | ICT Roller Girls | Fabulous Sin City Rollergirls |
| 21 | New Hampshire Roller Derby | Demolition City Roller Derby | Dixie Derby Girls | Lava City Roller Dolls |
| 22 | Lehigh Valley Rollergirls | NEO Roller Derby | Assassination City Roller Derby | Pacific Roller Derby |
| 23 | Green Mountain Derby Dames | Fox Cityz Foxz | West Texas Roller Dollz | Pueblo Derby Devil Dollz |
| 24 | Hudson Valley Horrors Roller Derby | Hammer City Roller Girls | Alamo City Rollergirls | Choice City Rebels |
| 25 | Garden State Rollergirls | Rollergirls of Southern Indiana | Spindletop Roller Girls | Slaughterhouse Derby Girls |
| 26 | Oklahoma City Roller Derby | FoCo Girls Gone Derby | ||
Member teams unranked at this time:
- Auld Reekie Roller Girls
- Babe City Rollers
- Cape Fear Roller Girls
- Castle Rock 'n' Rollers
- Charlotte Roller Girls
- Derby Revolution of Bakersfield
- Des Moines Derby Dames
- Dockyard Derby Dames
- Fairbanks Rollergirls
- Ithaca League of Women Rollers
- Jersey Shore Roller Girls
- Junction City Roller Dolls
- Little City Roller Girls
- Rage City Rollergirls
- Roc City Roller Derby
- Rockford Rage Women's Roller Derby
- Rocktown Rollers
- Sonoma County Roller Derby
- Springfield RollerGirls
- Terminal City Rollergirls
- Toronto Roller Derby
- Treasure Valley Rollergirls