The Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau is pleased to announce Des Moines has been awarded the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association’s (WFTDA) Division 2 Playoff. The Des Moines Derby Dames and Greater Des Moines will host one of the two inaugural playoffs August 16-18.
The tournament will take place at Hy-Vee Hall at the Iowa Events Center. Ten roller derby teams from around the world will descend upon Des Moines to play for the opportunity to win the Division 2 title. The 2013 WFTDA Championships will be held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin this November.
“This is a unique and passionate group. We’re thrilled they’ve chosen Greater Des Moines,” said Greg Edwards, President and CEO of the Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau and Des Moines Area Sports Commission.
The Des Moines Playoff will be the first of seven tournaments held around the United States. The WFTDA Playoffs include two Division 2 Playoffs, four Division 1 Playoffs, and the WFTDA Championships.
“This is an incredible moment for our league and for the city of Des Moines,” said Des Moines Derby Dames’ Board of Directors President Jeremy Bingaman. “The Des Moines Derby Dames are Des Moines’ roller derby team and nobody but D3 could bring a first-class event like this to our city.”
The winner of the Des Moines Playoff will play the winner of the Playoff in Kalamazoo, Michigan at the WFTDA Championships in Milwaukee to decide the Division 2 Champion. The runner-up teams will also travel to Milwaukee to play for 3rd place in Division 2.
ABOUT WFTDA
Founded in 2004, the WFTDA promotes and fosters the sport of women’s flat track derby by facilitating the development of athletic ability, sportswomanship, and goodwill among member leagues. WFTDA’s operational tasks include setting standards for rules, seasons and safety, and determining guidelines for the national and international athletic competitions of member leagues. Visit wftda.com for more information.
About Des Moines Derby Dames
The Des Moines Derby Dames is a not-for-profit organization of women and men who share a passion for roller derby and what it represents – athleticism, integrity, sportsmanship and community. The Des Moines Derby Dames organization is made up of two teams: The Dames and the Crash Test Dolls. These spunky skaters collect bruises and sore muscles on the track. Off the track, they are working hard to bring the nation’s fastest-growing sport to Des Moines on an unprecedented level. For information on the Derby Dames visit dmderbydames.com.