Boston Derby Dames

Boston Derby Dames
League logo
Metro area Boston, MA
Country United States
Founded 2005
Teams Boston Massacre (All-Stars)
Boston B Party (Interleague)
Train Wrecks (Interleague Rec)
Arkham Horrors
Cosmonaughties
Nutcrackers
Wicked Pissahs
Track type(s) Flat
Venue Aleppo Shriners Auditorium, Simoni Ice Rink
Affiliations WFTDA
Website www.bostonderbydames.com

The Boston Derby Dames, also referred to as Boston or BDD, is a flat-track roller derby league based in Somerville, Massachusetts. The league was founded in May 2005[1] and was also a founding member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA).[2] The league has been one of the top 25 WFTDA Division 1 leagues in the world since the divisional ranking system was introduced in early 2013, and as of November 30, 2013 is ranked at 16.[3]

Like most WFTDA leagues, the program is skater-owned and -operated, sporting more than 70 full-time skaters who both skate and work as part of their duties.[4] BDD currently plays at Aleppo Shriners Auditorium for all home team games and Simoni Ice Rink for its all-star matchups against rival teams from around the world.

Early history

BDD was founded by Sarah Doom and Ivana Clobber in 2005 after Doom helped found Providence Roller Derby.[5] The league began with three home teams: The Cosmonaughties, Nutcrackers, and Wicked Pissahs. The Boston Massacre, BDD's all-star travel team, began competing the following year. In 2011, BDD added the Boston B Party to allow home team skaters to play against neighboring leagues without having to be at the all-star level; in 2012, the B Party became the Massacre's official farm team and B-level interleague representatives.[6]

BDD's Training and Recreation program was also founded in 2012.[7] The program offers newer skaters a place to learn and grow on the league, and allows transfer skaters from other leagues to become acclimated to Boston's skating style and requirements before being placed on a home team.

Teams

The Boston Derby Dames is composed of four home teams, The Arkham Horrors, The Cosmonaughties, The Nutcrackers, and The Wicked Pissahs; an All-Star travel team, The Boston Massacre; an interleague B-team, The Boston B Party; and an interleague training team, the Train Wrecks.[8]

In addition, Boston offers a Training and Recreation program called TRT, for new and transferring skaters who wish to learn how to play roller derby.[9] It is divided up into two levels—non-contact and contact—each named after a line of Boston's MBTA service. Once skaters graduate from the TRT program, they're eligible to be drafted to a home team and to skate with the Train Wrecks. The TRT program accepts new trainees and transfers on a three-month cycle;[10] the application period is approximately one month before the cycle begins.

Boston also provides a training program for those looking to become roller derby officials;[11] current Boston officials have traveled the world[12] representing BDD and the WFTDA.

Competitive History

2009

The Boston Massacre finished third in the 2009 WFTDA Eastern Regional Tournament, qualifying them to compete in the 2009 National Tournament.[13]

At the 2009 WFTDA National Championships, Boston defeated the Mad Rollin' Dolls in their first-round bout, 104-98.[14] In the second round, quarter finals, Boston was defeated by the Texas Rollergirls 111-72, eliminating them from the tournament.[15]

2010-2012

After losing many founding Massacre skaters to retirement, Boston spent several years rebuilding its roster;[16] the team did not qualify for nationals in 2009, 2010, 2011, or 2012, seeing a regional rankings drop from 3rd in the East Region to 7th.

2013

In 2013, WFTDA abolished the regional ranking system and switched to an international rankings system. As of November 30, 2013, Boston is ranked 16th in the WFTDA.[3]

Season Final ranking[3] Playoffs Championship
2006 13 E[17] — N/A
2007 14 E[18] R1 E[19] DNQ
2008 3 E 7 E[20] DNQ
2009 3 E 3 E[21] R2[22]
2010 4 E 4 E[23] DNQ
2011 7 E 7 E[24] DNQ
2012 7 E 7 E[25] DNQ
2013 16 WFTDA 7 D1[26] DNQ

References

  1. ↑ "About". Boston Derby Dames. Retrieved 2013-11-20.
  2. ↑ Boston Derby Dames (WFTDA)
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Current Rankings". WFTDA. Retrieved 20 December 2013.
  4. ↑ About the Dames
  5. ↑ February 2010: Massacre vs Providence
  6. ↑ Boston B Party
  7. ↑ The Training and Recreation Program
  8. ↑ "Teams". Boston Derby Dames. Retrieved 19 April 2015.
  9. ↑ "Training and Recreation Team". Boston Derby Dames. Retrieved 20 November 2013.
  10. ↑ Join the Boston Derby Dames
  11. ↑ Boston Derby Dames Officials
  12. ↑ Featured Skater: Intejill
  13. ↑ Feelgood, Justice (2009-09-16). "Boston Upsets Charm City To Qualify For Nationals, 156-142". Derby News Network. Retrieved 2013-11-20.
  14. ↑ Feelgood, Justice (2009-11-22). "2009 Nationals: Capsule Recaps". Derby News Network. Retrieved 2013-11-20.
  15. ↑ Feelgood, Justice (2009-11-22). "2009 Nationals: Capsule Recaps". Derby News Network. Retrieved 2013-11-20.
  16. ↑ Boston Massacre Rosters
  17. ↑ "12/8/2006 WFTDA National Rankings", WFTDA [version of 23 February 2007]
  18. ↑ "Current WFTDA Rankings", Derby News Network, October 2007
  19. ↑ "Heartland Havoc", Ohio Rollergirls
  20. ↑ "Derby in Dairyland", Flat Track Stats
  21. ↑ "Wicked Wheels of the East 2009 Eastern Regionals", WFTDA
  22. ↑ "Declaration of Derby", WFTDA
  23. ↑ "Derby in the Burbs 2010 East Region Playoffs", WFTDA
  24. ↑ Nightmare on 95
  25. ↑ WFTDA 2012 East Region 7th Place Game
  26. ↑ "D1 Playoffs: Salem", WFTDA

External links