Women's Flat Track Derby Association Division 2 Explained

The Women's Flat Track Derby Association Division 2 (WFTDA Division 2) was the second-highest level of play in women's flat track roller derby from 2013 through 2017. Comprising different structures over that time, in early 2018 the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) announced it was replacing the Division 2 Playoffs with geographically-based Continental Cups, the structure and quantity of which is expected to adjust and possibly expand over time.[1]

Organisation

Historically, the WFTDA divided member leagues into four geographical regions: East, North Central, South Central and West. At the start of 2013, these were redivided into three divisions, each operating worldwide. However, foreseeing continued growth in membership, the WFTDA stated that future developments were likely to include new regional structures alongside the divisional system.[2]

For 2013 and 2014, the division consisted of the members of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association who were ranked from 41 to 100. The rankings were set at the start of each year, based on performance over the previous year. Although rankings are updated during the year, teams would only transfer between divisions at the start of each year. Teams in Division 2 played in bouts through the year, aiming to qualify for one of the end-of-year playoff tournaments. Any Division 2 teams which were ranked in the WFTDA's top forty at the end of June each year qualified for the WFTDA Division 1 Playoffs. Those ranked between 41 and 60, which might have included WFTDA Division 3 teams who met sanctioned-game play requirements, qualified for one of the two Division 2 Playoffs.

Starting with 2015, sanctioned-game play requirements were modified to be simply any four WFTDA-sanctioned games played between December 1 of the previous calendar year and June 30, without a requirement to play a certain number of games against similarly-ranked opponents.[3] Teams which did not play a minimum number of sanctioned bouts were not permitted to compete at the Playoffs. Eligible teams ranked 41-60 as of June of the calendar year remained eligible for Division 2 Playoffs. If a team that meets eligibility requirements declines their invitation, the teams ranked next beyond 60 fill available spots so that 20 teams still take part.[4]

Starting with 2017, the system was restructured to place the top 36 teams in the WFTDA in Division 1, with teams ranked 37 through 52 qualifying for a single, 16-team Division 2 Playoff tournament and championship.[5] The 2017 tournament was held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, hosted by Steel City Roller Derby.

2017 member leagues

The 2017 Division 2 member list was announced by the WFTDA on July 14.[6] [7] Two eligible leagues, Sun State Roller Girls of Brisbane, Australia and Sac City Rollers of Sacramento, California both declined,[8] and combined with other higher ranked teams either declining or not meeting eligibility requirements, allowed teams as low as #58 Dublin Roller Derby to participate. As a result, the table below features 18 teams, including the two that declined participating in the Pittsburgh Playoffs and Championship.

LeagueCityCountryYear(s) of membership
Auld Reekie Roller GirlsEdinburghScotland2014, 2016, 2017
Bear City Roller DerbyBerlinGermany2015, 2016, 2017
Boston Roller DerbyBoston, MAUnited States2017
Columbia QuadsquadColumbia, SCUnited States2013, 2014, 2015, 2017
Dublin Roller DerbyDublinIreland2017
E-Ville Roller DerbyEdmonton, ABCanada2017
Jet City RollergirlsEverett, WAUnited States2013, 2015, 2016, 2017
Middlesbrough Roller DerbyTeessideEngland2017
Naptown Roller DerbyIndianapolis, INUnited States2015, 2017
No Coast Derby GirlsLincoln, NEUnited States2017
Ohio Roller DerbyColumbus, OHUnited States2017
Oklahoma Victory DollsOklahoma City, OKUnited States2013, 2015, 2017
Paris RollergirlsParisFrance2017
Pirate City RollersAucklandNew Zealand2017
Sac City RollersSacramento, CAUnited States2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
Sun State Roller GirlsBrisbane, QLDAustralia2017
Treasure Valley RollergirlsBoise, IDUnited States2013, 2014, 2015, 2017
Tucson Roller DerbyTucson, AZUnited States2013, 2014, 2016, 2017
Notes

Past members

The initial Division 1 membership list for 2013 was based upon the team's rankings as of June 30, 2012.[9] The 2014 Division 2 membership list was announced on 9 December 2013, based on the overall rankings that took effect as of 30 November 2013.[10] [11] The membership of Division 2 in 2014 mostly comprised teams from the United States, but also three from Canada and two from Scotland. From 2013-14, membership comprised teams ranked 41-100 overall per those year's specified dates.

With Division 2 game play requirements abandoned starting with the 2015 season, membership currently denotes teams that meet gameplay requirements and thus eligibility for that year's Division 2 Playoffs, and includes teams who declined Playoff invitations, along with higher-ranked teams that competed. The 2015 membership list was derived from that year's June 30 rankings.[12] The 2016 Division 2 member list was announced by the WFTDA on July 15 of that year.[13] Two eligible leagues, Auld Reekie Roller Girls of Edinburgh and Paradise City Roller Derby of Gold Coast, Australia both declined, allowing #61 Grand Raggidy Roller Girls and #62 Carolina Rollergirls to take part.

LeagueCityCountryYear(s) of membershipCurrent status
Alamo City RollergirlsSan Antonio, TXUnited States2013out of Playoffs
Arizona Roller DerbyPhoenix, AZUnited States2014Division 1
Assassination City Roller DerbyPlano, TXUnited States2013out of Playoffs
Babe City RollersBemidji, MNUnited States2013out of Playoffs
Bellingham Roller BettiesBellingham, WAUnited States2013out of Playoffs
Big Easy RollergirlsNew Orleans, LAUnited States2013, 2014out of Playoffs
Bleeding Heartland RollergirlsBloomington, INUnited States2013out of Playoffs
Blue Ridge RollergirlsAsheville, NCUnited States2013, 2014, 2016Division 1
Boulder County BombersLongmont, COUnited States2015, 2016out of Playoffs
Brandywine Roller DerbyUnited States2014, 2015, 2016out of Playoffs
Brewcity BruisersMilwaukee, WIUnited States2014, 2015out of Playoffs
Burning River Roller GirlsCleveland, OHUnited States2013, 2014out of Playoffs
Cape Fear Roller GirlsWilmington, NCUnited States2013out of Playoffs
Calgary Roller Derby AssociationCalgary, ABCanada2016Division 1
Carolina RollergirlsRaleigh, NCUnited States2014, 2016out of Playoffs
Central New York Roller DerbyUtica, NYUnited States2013out of Playoffs
Charlotte Roller GirlsCharlotte, NCUnited States2014out of Playoffs
Charlottesville Derby DamesCharlottesville, VAUnited States2016Division 1
Charm City Roller GirlsBaltimore, MDUnited States2016Division 1
Chicago Outfit Roller DerbyChicago, ILUnited States2014, 2015, 2016out of Playoffs
Cincinnati RollergirlsCincinnati, OHUnited States2016out of Playoffs
CT RollerGirlsNaugatuck, CTUnited States2013, 2014out of Playoffs
Dallas Derby DevilsDallas, TXUnited States2013, 2014Division 1
DC RollergirlsWashington, D.C.United States2014out of Playoffs
Demolition City Roller DerbyEvansville, INUnited States2013, 2014, 2015out of Playoffs
Des Moines Derby DamesDes Moines, IAUnited States2013, 2014folded
Dominion Derby GirlsVirginia Beach, VAUnited States2013out of Playoffs
Duke City DerbyAlbuquerque, NMUnited States2013, 2014out of Playoffs
Dutchland RollersLancaster, PAUnited States2014out of Playoffs
Emerald City Roller GirlsEugene, ORUnited States2013, 2014, 2015out of Playoffs
Fabulous Sin City RollergirlsLas Vegas, NVUnited States2013, 2014out of Playoffs
Fargo Moorhead Derby GirlsFargo, NDUnited States2013, 2014out of Playoffs
Fort Myers Derby GirlsFort Myers, FLUnited States2014out of Playoffs
Fort Wayne Derby GirlsFort Wayne, INUnited States2013out of Playoffs
Gainesville Roller RebelsGainesville, FLUnited States2014out of Playoffs
Garden State RollergirlsWallington, NJUnited States2014out of Playoffs
Glasgow Roller DerbyGlasgowScotland2014out of Playoffs
Gold Coast Derby GrrlsFort Lauderdale, FLUnited States2013, 2014out of Playoffs
Grand Raggidy Roller GirlsGrand Rapids, MIUnited States2013, 2014, 2016out of Playoffs
Green Mountain Derby DamesBurlington, VTUnited States2013, 2014out of Playoffs
Hammer City Roller GirlsHamilton, ONCanada2014out of Playoffs
Hard Knox Roller GirlsKnoxville, TNUnited States2013out of Playoffs
Houston Roller DerbyHouston, TXUnited States2015, 2016Division 1
Humboldt Roller DerbyEureka, CAUnited States2013, 2014out of Playoffs
Ithaca League of Women RollersIthaca, NYUnited States2013, 2014out of Playoffs
Kansas City Roller WarriorsKansas City, MOUnited States2015, 2016out of Playoffs
Killamazoo Derby DarlinsKalamazoo, MIUnited States2013, 2014out of Playoffs
Long Island Roller RebelsNew York, NYUnited States2013, 2014out of Playoffs
Lowcountry HighrollersCharleston, SCUnited States2014out of Playoffs
Maine Roller DerbyPortland, MEUnited States2013, 2014out of Playoffs
Memphis Roller DerbyMemphis, TNUnited States2013, 2014out of Playoffs
Mid Iowa RollersDes Moines, IAUnited States2013inactive
Nashville RollergirlsNashville, TNUnited States2015, 2016out of Playoffs
NEO Roller DerbyAkron, OHUnited States2013, 2014merged
New Hampshire Roller DerbyManchester, NHUnited States2013out of Playoffs
Nidaros Roller DerbyTrondheimNorway2016out of Playoffs
North Star Roller GirlsMinneapolis, MNUnited States2013, 2014out of Playoffs
Northwest Arkansas RollergirlsFayetteville, ARUnited States2013, 2014out of Playoffs
Oklahoma City Roller DerbyOklahoma City, OKUnited States2014merged
Old Capitol City Roller GirlsIowa City, IAUnited States2013, 2014out of Playoffs
Omaha RollergirlsOmaha, NEUnited States2014out of Playoffs
Paper Valley Roller GirlsAppleton, WIUnited States2013, 2014merged
Paradise City Roller DerbyBurleigh, QLDAustralia2016out of Playoffs
Pikes Peak Derby DamesColorado Springs, COUnited States2013, 2014out of Playoffs
Providence Roller DerbyProvidence, RIUnited States2013, 2014out of Playoffs
Queen City Roller GirlsBuffalo, NYUnited States2013, 2014Division 1
Rage City RollergirlsAnchorage, AKUnited States2013out of Playoffs
Rideau Valley Roller GirlsOttawa, ONCanada2014out of Playoffs
River City RollergirlsRichmond, VAUnited States2013, 2014out of Playoffs
Roc City Roller DerbyRochester, NYUnited States2013, 2014out of Playoffs
Sacred City Derby GirlsSacramento, CAUnited States2014, 2015out of Playoffs
Santa Cruz Derby GirlsSanta Cruz, CAUnited States2013, 2015Division 1
Silicon Valley Roller GirlsSan Jose, CAUnited States2013, 2014out of Playoffs
Sioux City Roller DamesSioux City, IAUnited States2013, 2014out of Playoffs
Sioux Falls Roller DollzSioux Falls, SDUnited States2013out of Playoffs
Slaughter County Roller VixensKitsap County, WAUnited States2013out of Playoffs
SoCal DerbySan Diego, CAUnited States2014out of Playoffs
Sonoma County Roller DerbySanta Rosa, CAUnited States2013, 2014out of Playoffs
Springfield Roller GirlsSpringfield, MOUnited States2013out of Playoffs
St. Chux Derby ChixSt. Charles, MOUnited States2014, 2015out of Playoffs
Suburbia Roller DerbyYonkers, NYUnited States2013, 2014out of Playoffs
Tallahassee RollergirlsTallahassee, FLUnited States2014out of Playoffs
Terminal City RollergirlsVancouver, BCCanada2013Division 1
Toronto Roller DerbyToronto, ONCanada2013out of Playoffs
Tri-City Roller DerbyKitchener, ONCanada2013, 2014, 2016out of Playoffs
Twin City Derby GirlsChampaign-Urbana, ILUnited States2014out of Playoffs
Victorian Roller Derby LeagueMelbourne, VICAustralia2013Division 1
Wasatch Roller DerbySalt Lake City, UTUnited States2015, 2016Division 1
Notes

Playoff tournaments

2013

Both of the 2013 Playoff tournaments were played in the United States.

LocationDatesChampionSecondThird
Des Moines, IA16-18 August 2013Jet City RollergirlsBlue Ridge RollergirlsTreasure Valley Rollergirls
Kalamazoo, MI23-25 August 2013Santa Cruz Derby GirlsSac City RollersKillamazoo Derby Darlins

2013 Championship

2014

The first 2014 Playoff tournament was held in Duluth, Minnesota,[15] and the second was held in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, the first WFTDA Playoff tournament to be held outside the United States.[16] At Kitchener-Waterloo, the Rideau Valley Roller Girls from Ottawa, Ontario became the first non-American team to win a WFTDA playoff tournament.[17]

LocationDatesChampionSecondThird
Duluth, MN15-17 August 2014Detroit Derby Girls[18] Fabulous Sin City RollergirlsSt. Chux Derby Chix
Kitchener-Waterloo, ON22-24 August 2014Rideau Valley Roller Girls[19] Bear City Roller DerbyKillamazoo Derby Darlins

2014 Championship

2015

Both 2015 Playoffs were held in the United States.[21]

LocationDatesChampionSecondThird
21-23 August 2015 Santa Cruz Derby Girls
28-30 August 2015 Nashville RollergirlsSacred City Derby GirlsNaptown Roller Girls

2015 Championship

2016

Both 2016 Playoffs were again held in the United States.[22]

LocationDatesChampionSecondThird
Wichita, KS[23] 19-21 August 2016 Jet City Rollergirls
Lansing, MI[24] 26-28 August 2016 Calgary Roller Derby AssociationCharm City Roller Girls

2016 Championship

2017

Playoffs and ChampionshipIn 2017, the Playoffs were combined into a single two-track tournament in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with the Division 2 championship awarded at its conclusion.[27]

References

  1. Web site: WFTDA Announces 2018 and 2019 Playoffs Structure and New Continental Cups System – WFTDA . wftda.com . WFTDA . 6 June 2018 . 26 January 2018.
  2. Web site: WFTDA Competitive Division Systems. WFTDA. 2 January 2017.
  3. Web site: WFTDA Releases Nov. 30 Rankings, Announces Change to Division Assignment Process. WFTDA. 2 January 2017. 15 December 2014.
  4. Web site: Deadwards. Lisa. 2016 WFTDA June Rankings and Tournament Seeding. Derby Central. 2 January 2017. 15 July 2016.
  5. Web site: WFTDA Releases Tournament Locations and New Playoffs and Championships Structure – WFTDA. wftda.com. WFTDA. 31 January 2017. 30 January 2017.
  6. Web site: WFTDA Releases June 30 Rankings and 2017 Playoffs Seeding – WFTDA. wftda.com. WFTDA. 22 August 2017. 14 July 2017.
  7. Web site: Deadwards. Lisa. 2017 WFTDA June Rankings and Tournament Seeding. Derby Central. 22 August 2017. 14 July 2017.
  8. Web site: The 2017 WFTDA Playoff Placement Announcement Is Out!. The Apex. 22 August 2017. 14 July 2017.
  9. Web site: WFTDA COMPETITIVE DIVISIONS SYSTEM. wftda.com. WFTDA. 24 August 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20130120122407/http://wftda.com/files/wftda-competitive-divisions-system.pdf. 20 January 2013.
  10. Web site: Current Rankings. WFTDA. 30 August 2014.
  11. Web site: Nov. 30 WFTDA Rankings, New Division Assignments Released. WFTDA. 30 August 2014. 9 December 2013.
  12. Web site: Rankings: June 30, 2015 – WFTDA. wftda.com. July 2015 . WFTDA. 24 August 2017.
  13. Web site: WFTDA Releases June 30 2016 Rankings and Tournament Seeding - LatestNews - Women's Flat Track Derby Association. wftda.org. WFTDA. 2 January 2017. 15 July 2016.
  14. http://wftda.com/tournaments/2013/championships 2013 Championships
  15. Web site: Top women's roller derby teams head to Duluth. CTV News. 27 March 2015. 15 August 2014.
  16. Web site: Rivet. Christine. Derby gals invade Waterloo. Waterloo Record. 27 March 2015. 23 August 2014.
  17. Web site: Scholey. Lucy. Ottawa roller derby team scores first international tournament win. Metro. 27 March 2015. 29 August 2014.
  18. Web site: August 15-17, 2014: Duluth, Minnesota, USA. WFTDA. 27 March 2015.
  19. Web site: August 22-24: Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. WFTDA. 27 March 2015.
  20. Web site: Oct. 31 - Nov. 2: Nashville, Tennessee, USA. WFTDA. 27 March 2015.
  21. WFTDA, "2015 International Playoffs & Championships"
  22. Web site: Welcome to WFTDA Tournament Central! - Women's Flat Track Derby Association. wftda.org. WFTDA. 2 January 2017.
  23. Web site: August 19-21, 2016 - Women's Flat Track Derby Association. wftda.org. WFTDA. 2 January 2017.
  24. Web site: August 26-28, 2016 - Women's Flat Track Derby Association. wftda.org. WFTDA. 2 January 2017.
  25. Web site: Mishel Castro. WFTDA Champs: Blue Ridge takes 1st vs Brandywine 257-188. Derby Central. 2 January 2017. 6 November 2016.
  26. Web site: WFTDA Champs: Calgary takes 3rd vs Charlottesville, 252-197. Derby Central. 2 January 2017. 6 November 2016.
  27. Web site: Boston Takes 2017 Division 2 Championships – WFTDA. wftda.com. WFTDA. 22 August 2017. 20 August 2017.
  28. Web site: Deadwards. Lisa.
    1. 7 Boston repeats victory against #3 Paris, 166-150
    . Derby Central. 22 August 2017. 21 August 2017.