Bay State Brawlers Roller Derby

Bay State Brawlers Roller Derby
League logo
Metro areaFitchburg/Leominster, MA
CountryUnited States
Founded2008
TeamsBrawlers (A team)
Bantams (B team)
Track type(s)Flat
VenueWallace Civic Center
AffiliationsWFTDA
Websitebaystatebrawlers.com

Bay State Brawlers Roller Derby, (BSB), is a flat-track roller derby league based in the twin cities of Fitchburg and Leominster, Massachusetts.[1] Founded in 2008, Bay State is a member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA).[2]

Mission Statement

"We are the premier female, non-binary, gender nonconforming roller derby league in Central Massachusetts. Our mission is to provide a welcoming and safe environment for all to develop and explore their strengths as skaters, officials, and individuals.

Our core values of hard work, open communication, and fun competition encourage physically challenging and rigorous training, dedication to the quality and safety of the sport, and a commitment to community."[3]

History and Organization

Bay State was founded in 2008 as "Central Mass Roller Derby",[4] and became Bay State Brawlers Roller Derby in 2011.[5] Bay State joined the WFTDA Apprentice Program in 2013,[6] and became a full member league in July 2014.[7][8]

In 2014, the league featured 5 teams, the Petticoat Pushers, Brawlin’ Broads, Bluestocking Bombers, LumberJackies, and Switchblade Sallies.[9] From 2017 to 2020, the league had two teams that played teams from other leagues: the A-level Punishers and the Brawlin' Broads B team, with home events held at the Wallace Civic Center on the Fitchburg State University campus.[5] Bay State Brawlers returned to play after the COVID-19 hiatus with their first home season following the break in 2023.

In 2020, the A team dropped the "Punishers" name and began skating as the Brawlers. In 2023, the B team was renamed to the Bantams.

As of 2024, "Bay State Brawlers Roller Derby is composed of two competitive travel teams, the Brawlers (our WFTDA charter team) and the Bantams (our “B” team), officials, volunteers, and new recruits."[10]

The league is a non-profit organization,[11] whose 30-40 members[5] fundraise for various causes.[11]

WFTDA rankings

Season Final ranking[12] Playoffs Championship
2015 187 WFTDA[13] DNQ DNQ
2016 160 WFTDA[14] DNQ DNQ
2017 148 WFTDA[15] DNQ DNQ
2018 157 WFTDA[16] DNQ DNQ
2019 113 WFTDA[17] DNQ DNQ
2023 96 WFTDA North America Northeast[18] DNQ DNQ

References

  1. ^ "Bay State Brawlers". www.baystatebrawlers.com. Retrieved 2016-08-24.
  2. ^ "Bay State Brawlers – WFTDA". wftda.com. WFTDA. Retrieved 24 August 2017.
  3. ^ "Bay State Brawlers Roller Derby". baystatebrawlers.com. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
  4. ^ Manning, Doreen (28 August 2009). "Roller derby wheels into Central Mass". Leominster Champion. Archived from the original on 7 September 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2017.
  5. ^ a b c Stanway, Eric (30 December 2015). "Bay State Brawlers roller derby team invites new skaters Jan. 10 in Lancaster". telegram.com. The Telegram & Gazette. Retrieved 24 August 2017.
  6. ^ "WFTDA Accepts 16 Apprentice Members - LatestNews - Women's Flat Track Derby Association". wftda.org. WFTDA. 31 January 2013. Retrieved 24 August 2017.
  7. ^ "Bay State Brawlers | Roller Derby Stats & Rankings | Flat Track Stats". flattrackstats.com. Retrieved 2016-08-24.
  8. ^ "WFTDA Welcomes 16 New Member Leagues - LatestNews - Women's Flat Track Derby Association". wftda.org. WFTDA. 3 July 2014. Retrieved 24 August 2017.
  9. ^ "Bay State Brawlers Roller Derby to Hold Doubleheader in Fitchburg". GoLocalWorcester. 25 March 2014. Retrieved 24 August 2017.
  10. ^ "Bay State Brawlers Roller Derby LinkedIn". LinkedIn.com. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
  11. ^ a b Mallard, Nick (16 July 2015). "Roller derby action comes to Wallace Civic Center Saturday". Sentinel & Enterprise. Retrieved 24 August 2017.
  12. ^ "Current Rankings", WFTDA
  13. ^ "Rankings: December 31, 2015 – WFTDA". wftda.com. WFTDA. Retrieved 24 August 2017.
  14. ^ "Rankings: December 31, 2016 – WFTDA". wftda.com. WFTDA. Retrieved 24 August 2017.
  15. ^ "Rankings: December 31, 2017 – WFTDA". wftda.com. WFTDA. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
  16. ^ "Rankings: December 31, 2018 – WFTDA". wftda.com. WFTDA. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
  17. ^ "Rankings: September 30, 2019 – WFTDA". wftda.com. WFTDA. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
  18. ^ "Rankings: December 31, 2023 – WFTDA". wftda.com. WFTDA. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
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