10 More Leagues Join Women’s Flat Track Derby Association

AUSTIN, TX – The Women’s Flat Track Derby Association’s (WFTDA) Apprentice Membership Program accepted 10 new leagues in October 2010, including additional European and Canadian leagues. There are now 53 women’s flat track roller derby leagues enjoying the benefits of WFTDA Apprenticeship.

The WFTDA congratulates our new Apprentice leagues:

• Auld Reekie Roller Girls, of Edinburgh, Scotland
• Bear City Roller Derby, of Berlin, Germany
• Blue Ridge Rollergirls, of Asheville, NC
• Des Moines Derby Dames, of Des Moines, IA
• Jersey Shore Roller Girls, of Toms River, NJ
• Mid Iowa Rollers, of Des Moines, IA
• Old Capitol City Roller Girls, of Iowa City, IA
• Paris Rollergirls, of Paris, France
• Terminal City Rollergirls, of Vancouver, BC, Canada
• Tragic City Rollers, of Birmingham, AL

Designed to act as a “WFTDA 101” tutorial, the Apprentice Program matches new leagues with an established WFTDA mentor who guides her apprentice through the processes and requirements necessary to becoming a full member. The mentor will also offer advice and encouragement about league-specific issues – everything from league formation to how to become ranked and qualify for WFTDA-sponsored tournaments. Upon completion of the program, apprentice leagues have the knowledge needed to apply for full WFTDA membership.

Due to the continued high level of interest in WFTDA Apprentice Membership and to ensure that leagues in the program receive the full support and attention they deserve, the admission review process will be tweaked for future applicants. Some applicants may temporarily be placed on a waiting list until there is an available mentor. The program can support about 50 leagues at any given time.

“The needs of each Apprentice league are different. This new process will allow us to ensure that every league accepted into the program receives a mentor who is the best fit for that league,” said Janel Kasper-Wolfe, aka “FemiFist,” the WFTDA Apprentice Program Director. “For example, we have a limited number of mentors who are able to work with leagues in Europe.”