This document outlines the requirements for WFTDA-sanctioned, mock sanctioned, and Strength Factor Challenge games and tournaments to count towards WFTDA Rankings points. Failure to meet the requirements outlined in this document could result in sanctioning being rescinded from a game and loss of game eligibility for WFTDA Rankings points and/or WFTDA Apprentice Program graduation requirements (updated December 1, 2018).
Download: WFTDA Sanctioning Policy PDF
Sanctioning a game is registering the game with the WFTDA Sanctioning Committee for the purpose of obtaining WFTDA Ranking game points.
A WFTDA-sanctioned game is a game played between two WFTDA Member Charter Teams for the purpose of obtaining WFTDA Ranking game points. The game must be played according to the following policies with no deviations:
A regulation game is a game played according to The Rules of Flat Track Roller Derby, the WFTDA Officiating Cues, Codes, and Signals, and the WFTDA Officiating Procedures for The Rules of Flat Track Roller Derby with no deviations. All leagues holding WFTDA Insurance or insurance policies with reciprocity with WFTDA Insurance must adhere to the WFTDA Risk Management Guidelines. These guidelines are recommended for all other play.
A Strength Factor Challenge (SFC) game is an unsanctioned game that a lower-ranked charter team (Challenging Team) schedules versus a higher-ranked charter team (Opponent Team) in order to attempt to temporarily increase its strength factor in the WFTDA Rankings Calculator. An SFC game must meet all the requirements of WFTDA-sanctioned games but has additional requirements per the WFTDA Rankings Policy. For information on this program and how to apply, see the Strength Factor Challenge Program section of the Rankings Policy.
Mock-sanctioned games are played by WFTDA Apprentice charter teams against any team from a WFTDA Member League or a WFTDA Apprentice League to satisfy graduation requirements and must meet the requirements of WFTDA-sanctioned games.
Mock-sanctioned for Initial Strength Factor games are played by WFTDA Apprentice charter teams against a WFTDA Member charter team. The results are used to help determine an initial rankings strength factor upon graduation. Mock sanctioned games must meet the requirements of WFTDA-sanctioned games.
A tournament or multi-game event, for the purpose of sanctioning, consists of at least three WFTDA-sanctioned or SFC games between three charter teams. There does not need to be a “winner” of the event.
In order to sanction games for WFTDA Rankings, leagues must submit a game sanctioning application and meet certain standards in order for the game to count toward rankings or Apprentice Program graduation requirements. Game applications are submitted via the WFTDA Dashboard. See “Tournaments and Multi-Game Events” (below) for tournament sanctioning.
Should a league fail to meet the requirements set forth in this section, sanctioning for the game could be revoked and the game will not count toward WFTDA Rankings and/or WFTDA Apprentice graduation requirements.
Only a WFTDA Member may sanction a game. If a non-WFTDA Member or event organizer is hosting the game, then one of the WFTDA Member Leagues competing in the event may act as the host for the purpose of sanctioning the event.
WFTDA Apprentice Leagues may be able to complete mock sanctioned games at a third-party multi-game event or location, however they must obtain prior approval from their AP Coordinator.
Events that qualify for sanctioning as tournaments or multi-game events per the definition in this document may submit the Tournament Sanctioning application (located on WFTDA's Sharepoint site accessible by WFTDA League Reps) to sanctioning@wftda.com, rather than sanction each game individually.
A bracket-style tournament is one in which some of the game matchups are determined based on game results from initial round(s) of the tournament.
Unless told otherwise, the WFTDA Sanctioning Committee will sanction all games in which two member leagues are scheduled to play or potentially could play. Once game results are submitted, WFTDA will cancel the sanctioning of any bracket games that did not end up being eligible for WFTDA rankings. However, it is recommended that this style tournament include only member leagues and WFTDA-sanctioned or SFC games.
Submission Deadlines
Insurance Requirements
Cancellations, Forfeits, and Postponements
Games Requirements
Uniform Requirements
Score Reporting and Games Data Requirements
Transfer of Sanctioning
Compliance Issues
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