Women’s Flat Track Derby Association

WFTDA is an international governing body of women‘s flat track roller derby and association of leagues around the world. 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“. Its governing philosophy is „by the skaters, for the skaters“ — the primary owners, managers and operators of each member league and of the association have to be women skaters.

The organization was founded in 2004 as the United Leagues Coalition (ULC). In July 2005 ULC representatives of 20 leagues met in Chicago to discuss establishing a governing body for women‘s flat-track roller derby. In November 2005, the ULC voted to change its name to the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA), having an initial membership of 22 leagues. In 2009, Montreal Roller Derby became the first Canadian league admitted as a member. In 2012, Bear City Roller Derby from Berlin, Germany became the WFTDA‘s first full member league in continental Europe. Each year a series of playoffs are held, based on the June 30 rankings. In  three Division 1 Playoff Tournaments 36 teams compete and the top four finishers from each tournament go on to the WFTDA Championship Tournament.

VRD has been  a full member since 2015.