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Women's Flat Track Derby Association Division 2

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The Women's Flat Track Derby Association Division 2 (WFTDA Division 2) is the second-highest level of play in women's flat track roller derby.

Contents

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.

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. 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.

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. The 2017 tournament will be held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, hosted by Steel City Roller Derby.

Member leagues

The 2016 Division 2 member list was announced by the WFTDA on July 15. 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.

*team ranked above 60 but participated due to another team declining

**team ranked 41-60 but declined invitation to Playoffs in 2016

2014 leagues

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. The membership of Division 2 in 2014 mostly comprised teams from the United States, but also three from Canada and two from Scotland. With Division 2 game play requirements abandoned starting with the 2015 season, this list comprises the most recent list of Division 2 membership, as the division designation currently only exists for playoff tournament placement.

2013

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

2014

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

2015

Both 2015 Playoffs were held in the United States.

2016

Both 2016 Playoffs were again held in the United States.

References

Women's Flat Track Derby Association Division 2 Wikipedia