Arizona Roller Derby

Last updated
Arizona Roller Derby
Arizona Roller Derby logo.png
Metro area Phoenix, Arizona
Country United States
Founded2003
TeamsArizona All-Stars (A team)
Arizona Rising (B teams)
Bad News Beaters
Surlies
Midnight Storm
Skate Riot Project
Rumbleweeds
Valley Rollers
Desert Phantoms
Track type(s)Flat
VenueAbility 360 Sports and Fitness Center
Affiliations WFTDA (West Region)
Org. typenon-profit
Websitearizonarollerderby.com

Arizona Roller Derby is Arizona's first all female roller derby league. It was founded in 2003 making it one of the oldest resurgence roller derby leagues in America. Arizona Roller Derby, abbreviated as AZRD, is one of the founding members [1] of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association. [2]

Contents

AZRD is based in Phoenix, Arizona and holds their games at Ability 360.

History

Tucson splits to form TRD

In the early days of AZRD, there was a separate chapter in Tucson called Tucson-Arizona Roller Derby, which had a single team called the Furious Truckstop Waitresses. The logistics of being a two-city league were not cost-effective, and the chapter split from AZRD to create Tucson Roller Derby. [3] Upon its split from AZRD, Tucson Roller Derby became the first 501(c) roller derby league in the nation. [3]

Rules and league splits

The first AZRD games were "no rules/no holds barred". [4] As the overall sport was starting to evolve and establish rules, some skaters would split away from AZRD to form other leagues:

Arizona Bruisers, LLC

In 2007, members of the Bruisers team, with the aim of raising funds specific to the team and having more opportunities to skate, formed a limited liability company (LLC) called Arizona Bruisers, LLC. [5] Citing violations of the league's "non-compete" policies, AZRD threatened the skaters with expulsion from the league. In addition, issues were reported as a result of the registration of the name "Bruisers" with the Arizona Corporation Commission relating to an agreement that AZRD has with the Brewcity Bruisers, a WFTDA member league from Milwaukee.

In January, 2008, despite efforts to settle differences, the Arizona Bruisers announced that they were now independent of Arizona Roller Derby in an effort to position themselves as a high-level travel team. [6] AZRD continued to use the "Bruisers" name for one of their home teams.

After two scrimmages between a squad from Duke City Derby and the Copper Queens from Tucson Roller Derby, the Arizona Bruisers would eventually be called the Phoenix City Rollers and then by March, 2008 would ultimately dissolve. [7]

The Bruisers were revived as one of the four AZRD bouting teams. For the 2009–2010 season, amid a declining membership experienced in 2008 and 2009, AZRD reduced the number of home teams from 4 to 3. As a result, AZRD would use the name "Bruisers" to identify their secondary travel team (or B-Team). This reflects an ongoing trend in WFTDA to form B-teams to help develop skaters to eventually play on the sanctioned travel (A) team as well as to help train apprentice leagues. They were "reinstated" as a beginner home team squad in 2012, only to be removed once again due to membership fluctuations.

Restructure as a 501(c) corporation

At a 2010 league meeting, AZRD league management decided to restructure the league from a limited liability company to a non-profit corporation under section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code. This allowed the league to solicit tax deductible funding from sponsors. [8]

Travel Teams

The Tent City Terrors, named after the Tent City jail created by Sheriff Joe Arpaio as a cost-effective way to address jail overcrowding, [9] is AZRD's travel team that plays in bouts sanctioned by WFTDA.

In 2012, Arizona qualified for West Region Playoffs as the 7th seed, and finished the tournament in 10th place. [10]

In 2014, Arizona made their first appearance at Division 1 Playoffs in Evansville, Indiana, entering the weekend as the 10th seed, and finishing in 5th place. [11] Arizona returned to D1 Playoffs in 2015 as the 8th seed in Tucson, and finished in 9th place. [12]

In 2016 Arizona finished their D1 Playoff again in 9th place, having entered the Vancouver tournament as the 10th seed. [13] In 2016, a second travel team was founded, Phoenix Rising. In August 2016, they played against five teams from California in the Golden Bowl, a tournament hosted by Bay Area Derby. [14]

In 2017, Arizona lost the opening game of the Dallas Division 1 playoff 163–108 to Philly Roller Derby, [15] and also lost their consolation round game to Dallas Derby Devils, 183–153. [16] The league announced in September 2017 that they would be retiring the Tent City Terrors name following the 2017 season. [17]

In 2018 the league declined their invitation to the WFTDA Playoffs in A Coruña, Spain. [18]

A third travel team, The Chain Gang is a mixture of state and city level skaters and has skated against teams in Arizona and Texas.[ citation needed ]

In 2018, the league rebranded their travel teams. The Tent City Terrors is now the Arizona All-Stars, Arizona Rising has remained the same and The Chain Gang is now the Rumbleweeds.

Rankings

Season Final ranking [19] Playoffs Championship
20064 WFTDA [20] —3 [21]
200712 WFTDA [22] R2 W [23] R1 [24]
2008N/A [25] DNQDNQ
200912 W [26] DNQDNQ
201013 W [27] DNQDNQ
201113 W [28] DNQDNQ
201213 W [29] 10 W [10] DNQ
201372 WFTDA [30] DNQDNQ
201434 WFTDA [31] 5 D1 [11] DNQ
201536 WFTDA [32] 9 D1 [12] DNQ
201635 WFTDA [33] 9 D1 [13] DNQ
201729 WFTDA [34] CR D1 [16] DNQ
201820 WFTDA [35] DNP [18] DNQ

Home teams

As of 2020, Arizona Roller Derby has six home teams competing at two levels.

AZRD's four state teams play each other in intra-league play, as well as teams from Tucson, Flagstaff, and Northern Arizona in the Arizona State Conference. They are:

One team bridges the gap between the city and state level skaters, the Rumbleweeds.

City level teams play each other at home bouts. They are:

Cycles

Prior to being drafted to a team, new skaters go through three training cycles. In the first (C1), they learn basic skate skills to ensure safety. In the second, (C2), new skaters begin to learn basic elements of game play and contact, and in the third (C3) they begin scrimmaging and learning more advanced game play techniques, preparing them for being placed on a city team.

Junior Roller Derby

AZRD has an open junior roller derby program for kids age 8-17, founded in 2010. There are two junior home teams, and a travel team that participates in play at the national level. Once junior skaters turn 18, they can become eligible to begin skating on an adult team. The junior skaters play under the Junior Roller Derby Association (JRDA) ruleset.

Standings

2008–2009 Season

SeedTeamBoutsWinLosePFPA(+/-)
Bruisers220196118+39.0
Brawlarinas321299252+15.6
Bad News Beaters211218198+10.0
Surly Gurlies303213358-48.3

The April 2009 bout between the Beaters and the Bruisers was cancelled as a result of flooding at the Castle Sports Club. [40] AZRD decided to do the Championship bout in the format of a round-robin tournament involving all 4 teams. In the tournament, the Surly Gurlies, a team who had an 0–3 regular season record would win all three of their games and be the 2008–2009 AZRD Champions. [41]

2007–2008 Season

SeedTeamBoutsWinLosePFPA(+/-)
1Bad News Beaters330350210+46.7
Bruisers (see note)312207212-4.3
2Surly Gurlies312212258-15.3
3Brawlarinas312190271-27.0

During this season a group of skaters who were mainly on the Bruisers left AZRD to form their own independent team. The one win in the record was from the pre-split Bruiser team. A new Bruiser team was formed mid-season with Ivanna S. Pankin as team captain. At the end of the season, it was decided that the Surly Gurlies and the Brawlarinas would be moved up in the rankings and those three teams would go to the post season.

Playoff Game: (#2)Surly Gurlies 74 vs. (#3)Brawlarinas 60 - Surly Gurlies advance to the Championship Game.

Championship Game: (#1)Bad News Beaters 113 vs. Surly Gurlies 50 - Bad News Beaters win championship.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rat City Roller Derby</span> Roller derby league

Rat City Roller Derby is a women's flat-track roller derby league in Seattle, Washington. Founded in 2004 as Rat City Rollergirls, LLC, the league has incorporated alternative cultural influences, and has inspired and mentored other leagues. Rat City is a founding member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA), and has achieved success on the WFTDA stage, qualifying for WFTDA Playoffs every season, including a second-place finish in the 2007 WFTDA Championships.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tucson Roller Derby</span> Roller derby league

Tucson Roller Derby (TRD) is a women's flat track roller derby league located in Tucson, Arizona. Founded in late 2003, Tucson Roller Derby is a skater-run non-profit organization and hosts monthly roller derby competitions showcasing bouts involving the various teams in the league, often against other leagues in Arizona, and also teams from national derby leagues. A founding member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA), Tucson was the host league for the first WFTDA Championships in 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carolina Roller Derby</span> Roller derby league

Carolina Roller Derby is a women's flat-track roller derby league in Raleigh, North Carolina. Operating as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and founded in January 2004, Carolina is a founding member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Texas Rollergirls</span> Roller derby league

Texas Rollergirls is a women's flat track roller derby league based in Austin, Texas. Founded in early 2003 and widely credited as the league that started the modern roller derby movement, the Texas Rollergirls were the first flat-track league in the nation to play a version of roller derby using new standardized rules and a track design based on the dimensions of the old banked tracks. As flat-track derby caught on in other American cities, the Texas Rollergirls' rulebook and track design eventually evolved into the specifications that were adopted and ratified upon formation of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) in 2005, of which Texas is a founding member.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dallas Derby Devils</span> Roller derby league

The Dallas Derby Devils (DDD) is a flat track roller derby league in Dallas, Texas and surrounding area of Ft. Worth, Texas. Founded in November 2004, the Dallas Derby Devils is the original North Texas roller derby league with a current roster of over one hundred active skaters, making DDD one of the largest flat track derby leagues in the southern United States. The Dallas Derby Devils are an original member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA).

Jacksonville Roller Derby Womens flat track roller derby league

Jacksonville Roller Derby is a women's flat track roller derby league based in Jacksonville, Florida, (USA). Originally formed as the First Coast Fatales, the league became Jacksonville RollerGirls in 2007, and changed to its current name in 2018. The league has been a member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) since December 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charm City Roller Derby</span> Roller derby league

Charm City Roller Derby (CCRD), is a flat track roller derby league in Baltimore, Maryland. Founded in 2005, Charm City is a member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">London Roller Derby</span> Roller derby league

London Roller Derby is a flat track roller derby league and a member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA). The league were founding members of the United Kingdom Roller Derby Association (UKRDA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boston Roller Derby</span> Roller derby league

Boston Roller Derby, (BRD), is a flat-track roller derby league based in Boston, Massachusetts. The league was founded as Boston Derby Dames in May 2005, and is a founding member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA). The league's all-star team, the Boston Massacre, was one of the top 25 WFTDA Division 1 teams in the world through most of the duration of the divisional ranking system introduced in early 2013, and as of December 31, 2015, the Massacre was ranked at 21. Boston won the WFTDA Division 2 Championship in 2017 and the North America East Continental Cup in 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toronto Roller Derby</span> Roller derby league

Toronto Roller Derby (ToRD), is a women's flat-track roller derby league in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Formed in 2006, the league started play in 2007, and held its tenth season in 2016. Operated and managed by its skaters and members, ToRD has four house teams, one rookie travel team, and one WFTDA charter travel team. Since 2011, the league has operated out of a space in Downsview Park, but announced in January 2015 that they were in search of a new home. They have since moved to another space near Downsview Park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nashville Roller Derby</span> Roller derby league

Nashville Roller Derby is a women's flat-track roller derby league based in Nashville, Tennessee. Founded as Nashville Rollergirls, the league is a member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Atlanta Roller Derby</span> Womens flat-track roller derby league based in Atlanta, Georgia, US

Atlanta Roller Derby (ARD) is a women's flat-track roller derby league based in Atlanta, Georgia. Founded in 2004, as Atlanta Rollergirls, the league finished their fourteenth season in November 2018. Atlanta Roller Derby is a founding member league of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brewcity Bruisers</span> Roller derby league

The Brewcity Bruisers is a women's flat-track roller derby league based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Founded in 2005, the league played their tenth season in 2016. The Bruisers are a member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA).

Bay Area Derby, formerly B.ay A.rea D.erby Girls, is a women's flat-track roller derby league based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Bay Area Derby (BAD) was founded in 2004 and is a founding member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA). BAD is a skater-owned and -operated 501(c)(3) non-profit league. The league is composed of four teams for intra-league play, and an all-star travel team that competes nationally. As of 2016, BAD was ranked in the top 20 overall in WFTDA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glasgow Roller Derby</span> Roller derby league

Glasgow Roller Derby is a flat track roller derby league in Glasgow, Scotland. Founded in 2007, the league consists of two travel teams, three home teams and a skater training course for players and referees. Glasgow is a member of the United Kingdom Roller Derby Association (UKRDA), and the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blue Ridge Rollergirls</span> Roller derby league

The Blue Ridge Rollergirls (BRRG) is a women's flat track roller derby league based in Asheville, North Carolina. Founded in 2006, Blue Ridge held its first competitive season in 2007, joined the WFTDA Apprentice Program in 2010, and became a full member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) in March 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WFTDA Championships</span>

The International Women's Flat Track Derby Association Championships are the leading competition for roller derby leagues.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jet City Roller Derby</span> Roller derby league

Jet City Roller Derby (JCRD) is a women's flat track roller derby league based in Everett, Washington. Founded in 2006, Jet City is a member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sacramento Roller Derby</span> Roller derby league

Sacramento Roller Derby is a women's flat track roller derby league based in Sacramento, California. Originally two separate leagues founded in 2006, Sac City Rollers and Sacred City Derby Girls, who mutually announced a pending merger in late 2017, and then on January 1, 2018, announced a rebrand of the merged organization as Sacramento Roller Derby. Sacramento is a member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boulder County Roller Derby</span> Roller derby league

Boulder County Roller Derby (BCRD) is a women's flat track roller derby league based in Longmont, Colorado. Founded in 2011 as the Boulder County Bombers, Boulder County is a member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA).

References

  1. ↑ Joulwan, Melissa (6 April 2007). Rollergirl: Totally True Tales from the Track. Simon and Schuster. p. 267. ISBN   9781416538554 . Retrieved 28 November 2016.
  2. ↑ "Member Leagues - Women's Flat Track Derby Association". Wftda.com. Retrieved 2013-12-29.
  3. 1 2 "A Brief History of TRD". Tucson Roller Derby. Archived from the original on 2 July 2010. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
  4. ↑ "Rollergirl catfights". YouTube. 2008-11-17. Archived from the original on 2021-12-20. Retrieved 2013-12-29.
  5. ↑ Arizona Derby Report #3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zj1z2YtxfCg
  6. ↑ "Bruisers announce league split from AZRD". Derby News Network. Retrieved 2013-12-29.
  7. ↑ "DerbyData.com". Az.derbydata.com. 2013-11-01. Archived from the original on 2013-12-31. Retrieved 2013-12-29.
  8. ↑ "Blogger". Azrollerderby.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2013-12-29.
  9. ↑ "Jail Information". Archived from the original on 26 August 2016. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
  10. 1 2 "2012 WFTDA West Region Playoffs - Women's Flat Track Derby Association". wftda.org. WFTDA. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
  11. 1 2 "London Rollergirls Win WFTDA Playoffs Evansville - LatestNews - Women's Flat Track Derby Association". wftda.org. WFTDA. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
  12. 1 2 Defiance, Brooklyn (6 September 2015). "D1T 9th Place: #8 Arizona Terrorizes #10 Tri-City, 239-170". Derby Central. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
  13. 1 2 Sherman, Zach Nomad (18 September 2016). "D1V: #10 Arizona holds down #6 Naptown, 197-142". Derby Central. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
  14. ↑ "Upcoming Events | 2016 Golden Bowl – August 6 & 7 | Bay Area Derby". www.bayareaderby.com. Bay Area Derby. Retrieved 12 January 2017.
  15. ↑ Khaos, Merry (22 September 2017). "D1D: #8 Philly pushes past #9 Arizona, 163-108". Derby Central. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  16. 1 2 Deadwards, Lisa (24 September 2017). "D1D: #10 Dallas finishes off #9 Arizona, 183-153". Derby Central. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  17. ↑ "Arizona Roller Derby All Stars Skate One Last Season as the Tent City Terrors". Arizona Roller Derby. Retrieved 12 September 2017.
  18. 1 2 "2018 WFTDA Playoff Bracket Releases to a Record Number of Declines". The Apex. 16 July 2018. Retrieved 12 January 2019.
  19. ↑ "Current Rankings", WFTDA
  20. ↑ "12/8/2006 WFTDA National Rankings", WFTDA [version of 23 February 2007]
  21. ↑ "February 2006 Dust Devil Invitational Rankings", WFTDA [version of 23 February 2007]
  22. ↑ "Current WFTDA Rankings", Derby News Network , October 2007
  23. ↑ "Dust Devil 2007", Flat Track Stats
  24. ↑ "Texas Shootout 2007", Flat Track Stats
  25. ↑ "WFTDA Releases 2008 Fourth-Quarter Rankings | Derby News Network". 30 January 2009. Retrieved 28 November 2016.[ permanent dead link ]
  26. ↑ "Current Rankings". WFTDA. Archived from the original on 30 April 2010. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
  27. ↑ "Current Rankings". WFTDA. Archived from the original on 2 March 2011. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
  28. ↑ "Current Rankings". WFTDA. Archived from the original on 25 January 2012. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
  29. ↑ "Current Rankings". WFTDA. Archived from the original on 20 March 2013. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
  30. ↑ "Rankings: December 31, 2013 – WFTDA". wftda.com. WFTDA. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
  31. ↑ "Rankings: December 31, 2014 – WFTDA". wftda.com. WFTDA. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
  32. ↑ "Rankings: December 31, 2015 – WFTDA". wftda.com. WFTDA. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
  33. ↑ "Rankings: December 31, 2016 – WFTDA". wftda.com. WFTDA. Retrieved 6 January 2017.
  34. ↑ "Rankings: December 31, 2017 – WFTDA". wftda.com. WFTDA. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
  35. ↑ "Rankings: December 31, 2018 – WFTDA". wftda.com. WFTDA. Retrieved 12 January 2019.
  36. ↑ "The Bad News Beaters". Arizona Derby Girls. Archived from the original on 2 October 2011. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
  37. ↑ "The Surly Gurlies". Archived from the original on August 9, 2011. Retrieved September 14, 2011.
  38. ↑ "The Gaudylupes". Archived from the original on August 9, 2011. Retrieved September 14, 2011.
  39. ↑ "The Brawlarinas". Archived from the original on August 9, 2011. Retrieved September 14, 2011.
  40. ↑ "DerbyData.com". Az.derbydata.com. 2013-11-01. Archived from the original on 2013-12-30. Retrieved 2013-12-29.
  41. ↑ "DerbyData.com". Az.derbydata.com. 2013-11-01. Archived from the original on 2013-12-30. Retrieved 2013-12-29.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.