Women's Flat Track Derby Association Division 1
# Women's Flat Track Derby Association Division 1

The Women's Flat Track Derby Association Division 1 (WFTDA Division 1) is the highest level of play in women's flat track roller derby.

## Organisation

The division consists of the 36 highest-ranked members of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association, based on performance over the previous year, who compete across three Playoff tournaments with 12 teams at each Playoff.

Historically, the WFTDA instead operated four 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. Through 2016, under the original divisional system, Division 1 comprised the top 40 eligible teams, with the next 20 eligible teams qualifying for Division 2 Playoffs.

Teams in Division 1 play in bouts through the year, aiming to qualify for one of the three Division 1 Playoffs. Starting with 2015, sanctioned-game play requirements were modified to be simply any 4 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. Teams which do not play a minimum number of sanctioned bouts are not permitted to compete at the Playoffs. The next 16-ranked teams as of June of the calendar year remain eligible for Division 2 Playoffs.

## Member leagues

The 2017 Division 1 member list was announced by the WFTDA on July 14. Two teams that were in the top 36 on June 30 - #23 Adelaide Roller Derby of Adelaide, Australia, and #26 Team United Women's Roller Derby of Des Moines, Iowa - did not meet gameplay requirements to qualify for WFTDA Playoffs. Two eligible leagues, #31 Rocky Mountain Rollergirls of Denver, Colorado and #33 Blue Ridge Rollergirls of Asheville, North Carolina both declined, and this allowed teams as low as #40 Wasatch Roller Derby to participate. As a result, the table below features 38 teams, including the two that declined participating in the 2017 Division 1 Playoffs.

| League | City | Country | Year(s) of membership |
| - | - | - | - |
| 2×4 Roller Derby | Buenos Aires | Argentina | 2017 |
| Angel City Derby Girls | Los Angeles, CA | United States | 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| Ann Arbor Roller Derby | Ann Arbor, MI | United States | 2016, 2017 |
| Arch Rival Roller Derby | St. Louis, MO | United States | 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| Arizona Roller Derby | Phoenix, AZ | United States | 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| Atlanta Rollergirls | Atlanta, GA | United States | 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| Bay Area Derby | Oakland, CA | United States | 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| Blue Ridge Rollergirls | Asheville, NC | United States | 2017 |
| Calgary Roller Derby Association | Calgary, AB | Canada | 2017 |
| Charlottesville Derby Dames | Charlottesville, VA | United States | 2015, 2017 |
| Charm City Roller Girls | Baltimore, MD | United States | 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017 |
| Crime City Rollers | Malmö | Sweden | 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| Dallas Derby Devils | Dallas, TX | United States | 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| Denver Roller Derby | Denver, CO | United States | 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| Detroit Roller Derby | Detroit, MI | United States | 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| Gotham Girls Roller Derby | New York, NY | United States | 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| Helsinki Roller Derby | Helsinki | Finland | 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| Houston Roller Derby | Houston, TX | United States | 2013, 2014, 2017 |
| Jacksonville RollerGirls | Jacksonville, FL | United States | 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| Kallio Rolling Rainbow | Helsinki | Finland | 2016, 2017 |
| London Rollergirls | London | England | 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| Mad Rollin' Dolls | Madison, WI | United States | 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| Minnesota RollerGirls | Saint Paul, MN | United States | 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| Montreal Roller Derby | Montreal, QC | Canada | 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| Philly Roller Derby | Philadelphia, PA | United States | 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| Queen City Roller Girls | Buffalo, NY | United States | 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| Rainy City Roller Derby | Manchester | England | 2016, 2017 |
| Rat City Roller Derby | Seattle, WA | United States | 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| Rocky Mountain Rollergirls | Denver, CO | United States | 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| Rose City Rollers | Portland, OR | United States | 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| Santa Cruz Derby Girls | Santa Cruz, CA | United States | 2014, 2016, 2017 |
| Stockholm Roller Derby | Stockholm | Sweden | 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| Tampa Roller Derby | Tampa, FL | United States | 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| Terminal City Rollergirls | Vancouver, BC | Canada | 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| Texas Rollergirls | Austin, TX | United States | 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| Victorian Roller Derby League | Melbourne, VIC | Australia | 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| Wasatch Roller Derby | Salt Lake City, UT | United States | 2013, 2014, 2017 |
| Windy City Rollers | Chicago, IL | United States | 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |

### Notes

* 1 2 team declined invitation to Playoffs this year

### Past members

The initial Division 1 membership list for 2013 was based upon the team's rankings as of June 30, 2012. The 2014 Division 1 membership list was announced on 9 December 2013, based on the overall rankings that took effect as of 30 November 2013. The same methodology was employed in 2014, and membership of Division 1 that year mostly comprised teams from the United States, but also Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom. Eight teams which were original members dropped out of Division 1 membership at the conclusion of the 2013 WFTDA season. Since then, additional teams have dropped out of Division 1.

Starting in 2015, division assignments were announced based on June 30 rankings, and in-division gameplay requirements were removed. As the annual June 30 rankings now determines Playoff position, and as the divisional definition is only used for playoff assignments, the rankings as of June 30, 2016 determine Division 1 membership. Membership includes all teams that are eligible for Division 1 Playoffs, even if a team declines their invitation to Playoffs, as well as teams ranked beyond the usual Division 1 cutoff who are invited due to higher-ranked teams not competing. Teams that do not meet minimum gameplay requirements are ineligible to receive a Playoffs invitation and therefore not included as Division 1 members. In 2016 Division 1 also included members from Finland and Sweden.

| League | City | Country | Year(s) of membership | Current status |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| Bleeding Heartland Rollergirls | Bloomington, IN | United States | 2014 | out of Playoffs |
| Boston Roller Derby | Boston, MA | United States | 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 | Division 2 |
| Brewcity Bruisers | Milwaukee, WI | United States | 2013 | out of Playoffs |
| Carolina Rollergirls | Raleigh, NC | United States | 2013 | out of Playoffs |
| Chicago Outfit Roller Derby | Chicago, IL | United States | 2013 | out of Playoffs |
| Cincinnati Rollergirls | Cincinnati, OH | United States | 2013, 2014 | out of Playoffs |
| DC Rollergirls | Washington, DC | United States | 2013 | out of Playoffs |
| Dutchland Rollers | Lancaster, PA | United States | 2013 | out of Playoffs |
| Glasgow Roller Derby | Glasgow | Scotland | 2015 | out of Playoffs |
| Jet City Rollergirls | Everett, WA | United States | 2014 | Division 2 |
| Kansas City Roller Warriors | Kansas City, MO | United States | 2013, 2014 | out of Playoffs |
| Naptown Roller Derby | Indianapolis, IN | United States | 2013, 2014, 2016 | Division 2 |
| Nashville Rollergirls | Nashville, TN | United States | 2013, 2014 | out of Playoffs |
| New Hampshire Roller Derby | Nashua, NH | United States | 2014 | out of Playoffs |
| No Coast Derby Girls | Lincoln, NE | United States | 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 | Division 2 |
| Ohio Roller Derby | Columbus, OH | United States | 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 | Division 2 |
| Oklahoma Victory Dolls | Oklahoma City, OK | United States | 2014 | Division 2 |
| Oly Rollers | Olympia, WA | United States | 2013, 2014 | inactive in WFTDA play |
| Omaha Rollergirls | Omaha, NE | United States | 2013 | out of Playoffs |
| Pikes Peak Derby Dames | Colorado Springs, CO | United States | 2015 | out of Playoffs |
| Rideau Valley Roller Girls | Ottawa, ON | Canada | 2015 | out of Playoffs |
| Sacred City Derby Girls | Sacramento, CA | United States | 2013, 2014, 2016 | out of Playoffs |
| Steel City Roller Derby | Pittsburgh, PA | United States | 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 | out of Playoffs |
| Sun State Roller Girls | Brisbane, QLD | Australia | 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 | Division 2 |
| Tallahassee Rollergirls | Tallahassee, FL | United States | 2013 | out of Playoffs |
| Team United Women's Roller Derby | Des Moines, IA | United States | 2015, 2016 | out of Playoffs |
| Toronto Roller Derby | Toronto, ON | Canada | 2014, 2015 | out of Playoffs |
| Tri-City Roller Derby | Kitchener-Waterloo, ON | Canada | 2015 | out of Playoffs |

**Notes**

* ↑ Oly was a Division 1 team in both 2013 and 2014, however they did not meet their sanctioned game requirements for Playoffs, and have not since.
* ↑ Rideau Valley merged with Capital City Derby Dolls in January 2018, and they rebranded as Ottawa Valley Roller Derby.
* ↑ Sacred City merged with Sac City Rollers in late 2017, and they rebranded as Sacramento Roller Derby in January 2018.

## Division 1 Playoffs

Prior to 2015, teams in Division 1 played in bouts through the year, aiming to qualify for one of the four Division 1 Playoffs. Each Playoff includes ten teams. However, Division 1 teams are not guaranteed a playoff spot, as teams in lower divisions can qualify by being ranked among the top forty WFTDA members. Additionally, teams which do not play a minimum number of sanctioned bouts are not permitted to compete at the Playoffs, with Division 1 teams required to play at least 4 WFTDA-sanctioned bouts following the previous year's championship and the current year's June 30, with at least 3 of those being against other D1 teams.

After 2015, in-division gameplay requirements for playoff consideration were dropped, leaving the June 30 rankings as the sole determinant of division eligibility.

### 2013 Playoffs

All four of the 2013 Playoffs were played in the United States. The top three teams from each Playoff qualify for the WFTDA Championships, and the London Rollergirls became the first ever non-U.S. team to achieve this. The Oly Rollers, who on June 30, 2013 were ranked 3rd overall, chose not to compete in the required minimum sanctioned games, with the full knowledge they would miss the WFTDA tournaments as a result. Oly still remains a member of the WFTDA and could have qualified for 2014 WFTDA playoffs if they met their requirements.

| Location | Dates | Champions | Second | Third |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| Fort Wayne, IN | 6-8 September 2013 | Denver Roller Dolls | Ohio Rollergirls | London Rollergirls |
| Richmond, VA | 13-15 September 2013 | Texas Rollergirls | Philly Roller Girls | Angel City Derby Girls |
| Asheville, NC | 20-22 September 2013 | Gotham Girls Roller Derby | Rocky Mountain Rollergirls | Windy City Rollers |
| Salem, OR | 27-29 September 2013 | B.ay A.rea D.erby Girls | Atlanta Rollergirls | Rat City Rollergirls |

### 2014 Playoffs

All four of the 2014 Playoff tournaments were again played in the United States, and again the top three teams from each tournament qualified for the 2014 WFTDA Championships.

| Location | Dates | Champions | Second | Third |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| Sacramento, CA | 5-7 September 2014 | Gotham Girls Roller Derby | Denver Roller Dolls | Minnesota Rollergirls |
| Evansville, IN | 19-21 September 2014 | London Rollergirls | Windy City Rollers | Texas Rollergirls |
| Salt Lake City, UT | 26-28 September 2014 | B.ay A.rea D.erby Girls | Angel City Derby Girls | Rocky Mountain Rollergirls |
| Charleston, WV | 3-5 October 2014 | Rose City Rollers | Victorian Roller Derby League | Philly Roller Girls |

### 2015 Playoffs

The same format was used for the 2015 Playoffs.

| Location | Dates | Champions | Second | Third |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| Tucson, AZ | 4–6 September 2015 | Victorian Roller Derby League | B.ay A.rea D.erby Girls | Arch Rival Roller Girls |
| Dallas, TX | 11–13 September 2015 | Rose City Rollers | Texas Rollergirls | Rat City Rollergirls |
| Jacksonville, FL | 18–20 September 2015 | London Rollergirls | Jacksonville RollerGirls | Denver Roller Derby |
| Omaha, NE | 2–4 October 2015 | Gotham Girls Roller Derby | Angel City Derby Girls | Minnesota RollerGirls |

### 2016 Playoffs

The 2016 Division 1 Playoffs followed the same format as previous years, once again distributing the qualifying teams using an S-curve seeding structure. For the first time, two of the Division 1 tournaments were held outside the United States, both in Canada: the first in Montreal, hosted by Montreal Roller Derby, and the second in Vancouver, hosted by Terminal City Rollergirls. Montreal Roller Derby became the first Canadian team to qualify for the Division 1 Championship by placing third at their own tournament in September.

| Location | Dates | Champions | Second | Third |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| Montreal, QC | 2–4 September 2016 | London Rollergirls | Texas Rollergirls | Montreal Roller Derby |
| Columbia, SC | 9–11 September 2016 | Rose City Rollers | Denver Roller Derby | Jacksonville RollerGirls |
| Vancouver, BC | 16–18 September 2016 | Victorian Roller Derby League | Angel City Derby Girls | Rat City Rollergirls |
| Madison, WI | 23–25 September 2016 | Gotham Girls Roller Derby | Arch Rival Roller Derby | Minnesota RollerGirls |

### 2017 Playoffs

A new structure was announced for 2017, whereby Division 1 membership was reduced to the top 36 eligible teams, to be spread over three Playoff tournaments with 12 teams each; the top four teams from each playoff will advance to Championships. The 2017 Division 1 Playoffs were held in Seattle, Washington September 1–3, Malmö, Sweden September 8–10, and Dallas, Texas September 22–24, feeding into the 2017 Championships in Philadelphia. The participating teams were announced on July 14, 2017.

| Location | Dates | Champions | Second | Third | Fourth |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Seattle, WA | 1–3 September 2017 | Rose City Rollers | Angel City Derby Girls | Montreal Roller Derby | Rat City Rollergirls |
| Malmö, SWE | 8–10 September 2017 | Gotham Girls Roller Derby | Denver Roller Derby | London Rollergirls | Crime City Rollers |
| Dallas, TX | 22–24 September 2017 | Victorian Roller Derby League | Texas Rollergirls | Arch Rival Roller Derby | Minnesota RollerGirls |
