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NATIONAL All-GIRL ROLLER DERBY ASSOCIATION ROLLS OUT STANDARDIZED RULES FOR 2006 INTER-LEAGUE GAMES
US—January 17, 2006—The Womens Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA), the nation’s first all-female, skater owned, roller derby association, has released a set of standardized rules and regulations for the 2006 season of inter-league derby bouts across the country. This standardization will help the nations 30 WFTDA members compete nationally, and continue to nurture this rapidly growing sport.
Less than two years ago only eight leagues existed in the United States, said Jennifer “Hydra” Wilson, a skater with the Texas Rollergirls in Austin, Texas. Today, approximately 50 leagues have started rolling and are taking their communities by storm.
Negotiation of the rules started in July of 2005 and the results were ratified on January 17th, 2006. These new regulations will be implemented in the first national Roller Derby tournament in Tucson, AZ (Dust Devil Invitational - February 24-26, 2006). 20 WFTDA leagues will compete for the title of national champions in this 3-day derby extravaganza made easier by the common ground these rules provide.
It was a more complex task than we initially realized, said Zoe “Whiskey Mick” O'Reilly, a Tucson Roller Derby skater who serves on the WFTDA Rules Committee, and the work continues today. But inter-league bouting is the next step in the evolution of this sport on a national scale, so we take this very seriously. Efforts are now underway to create standard process for referee certification, determine minimum skill standards for competing skaters and to create standardization of statistics and game results reporting.
About the Womens Flat Track Derby Association:
Founded in 2004, the WFTDA promotes and fosters the sport of women’s flat track roller derby by facilitating the development of athletic ability, sportswomanship, and goodwill among member leagues. The governing philosophy is by the skaters, for the skaters. Women skaters are primary owners, managers, and operators of each member league and of the coalition. Operational tasks include setting standards for rules, seasons, and safety, and determining guidelines for the national and international athletic competitions of member leagues. All member leagues have a voice in the decision-making process, and agree to comply with the governing body’s policies.
For more info about the WFTDA, flat track roller derby or to get in contact with representatives of the Tucson Roller Derbys 2006 Dust Devil Invitational, please contact Denise Ivanna S. Pankin of the Sin City Rollergirls at myspace.com/azrd or ivanna_s_pankin@hotmail.com.
WFTDA Standardized Rules:
www.wftda.com
Download this press release in PDF: WFTDA
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