CNYRD Becomes Central New York’s First Full-Fledged WFTDA League!
By: Michael Spellman
Updated: May 3, 2011
On September 1st, the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) announced that Central New York Roller Derby (CNYRD) has graduated from their apprentice program to become a full-fledged WFTDA member league. WFTDA is the international governing body of women’s flat track roller derby and CNYRD was among the first leagues accepted into their apprentice program in the fall of 2009. The program serves as a “WFTDA 101” tutorial and pairs apprentice leagues with mentor leagues who offer advice and encouragement about league-specific issues, including everything from league formation to how to become ranked and qualify for WFTDA sponsored tournaments. With the addition of CNYRD and eight other graduating leagues, WFTDA has expanded to 98 roller derby leagues.
About Central New York Roller Derby:
Founded in December of 2007, CNYRD is a non-profit organization comprised of two teams, The Utica Clubbers and The Blue Collar Betties. CNYRD is skater owned and operated and is run democratically. CNYRD’s mission is to foster community, sportswomanship, and athleticism; to foster the proliferation of roller derby as a sport; to represent Central New York State in the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) in local, regional, national, and international competition; to foster empowerment of women; to instill a sense of sisterhood, loyalty, hard work, and competitiveness among our skaters, and a sense of family among our organization as a whole.
