New MRDA Branded Version of the Rules of Flat Track Roller Derby Now Available

The Men’s Roller Derby Association in conjunction with the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association are proud to announce the newest version of “The Rules of Flat Track Roller Derby.” This is the 7 ^th revision/update since the shared rule set was first developed in 2005 by the WFTDA.

The changes include routine revisions and updates to include publications and clarifications since the 2013 publication of the rule set. They also reflect a handful of more significant changes to the game, which were beta tested by the roller derby community, reviewed and developed by the WFTDA Rules Committee, and with feedback from WFTDA and MRDA member leagues:

• Penalty time is reduced to 30 seconds per penalty, in an effort to reduce the impact of penalties (and in particular, power jams) on scores and game outcomes.
• Direction of Game Play penalties were revised, to bring those penalties in line with the impact spectrum of other contact penalties.
• The standards for Cutting the Track penalties were tweaked and the Skating Out of Bounds penalty section now includes expanded examples to better describe when actions are penalizable.
• New language regarding Multi-Player Blocks formalizes the principle that impeding an opponent with an impenetrable wall is illegal. (This does not change the types of actions that may be penalized, but descriptions of such actions were clarified.)
• Language related to Blocker False Starts has been revised to allow Blockers to yield more simply, without being fully lapped by the pack.
• Star Passes   now delineate a single point of transfer of both helmet cover and position at the point when the Jammer releases the Star into the Pivot’s grasp.

Teams may begin playing under the new rules immediately. All sanctioned bouts must be played under the revised rule set starting April 1, 2014.

To view and read and download the new rule set go to  http://www.linkyy.com/MRDA_02014_ruleset .

The WFTDA version of the rules can be found at  http://www.wftda.com/rules/20140301 .

For Immediate Release

1/15/2014 – The Men’s Roller Derby Association is proud to announce its newly-elected Executive Board of Directors. The Executive Board of Directors oversees the MRDA as the international governing body for men’s roller derby. Representatives from the 40 leagues (internationally) voted for the following newly elected Executive Board of Directors:

• President: Graham Espe (aka Grambo, The Quadfathers – Utica, NY)
• Vice President: Jonas Downer (Deep Valley Belligerents – Ukiah, CA)
• Secretary: Eric Harris (aka Biff Quick, Rock City Riot – Fargo, ND)
• Treasurer: Jill Vidal (aka Girl Fawkes, Connecticut Death Quads – Waterbury, CT)
• Executive Director of Public Relations: Andrew Black (aka Screecharound – St. Louis GateKeepers – St. Louis, MO)
• Executive Director of Sanctioning and Games: Jonathan Rockey (aka Jonathan R, New York Shock Exchange – New York City, NY)
• Executive Director of Member Relations: Danny Simard (aka Rave N BustHer – Drive-By City Rollers –  Los Angeles, Ca)
• Executive Director of Officiating: Kristine Phillips (aka Miss Trial)

The new Executive Board of Directors officially takes office January 15, 2014.

Stepping down from the MRDA Executive Board of Directors are President Erich Bennar, Executive Director of Public Relations James Brains, and Executive Director of Member Relations Filup Bagby aka Uncle Jesse McNasty, whose terms end officially on January 15, 2014.

Erich is a founding member of MRDA. He co-founded the first men’s flat track derby team in 2006, and helped co-found the Men’s Derby Coalition in 2007. Erich led the transition from MDC to MRDA in 2011, and has guided MRDA’s development from 8 teams in the USA to over 40 teams internationally. Erich has also played an instrumental role in forging a working relationship between MRDA and WFTDA. Mr. Bennar will continue to work with MRDA as an advisor to the BOD to provide continuity on high level projects and also historical perspective on current affairs. Erich continues to skate as member of the Mass Maelstrom.

James Brains worked diligently to help grow and maintain the integrity of the MRDA brand during his term as Director of Public Relations. James helped develop MRDA’s Merch Program and opened the door for MRDA’s broadcast on WFTDA.tv. He also kept the MRDA community apprised of MRDA happenings with his press releases. Mr. Brains takes his leave from the BOD to focus on his growing family and the raising of his newest addition, “Baby” Brains.

Filup Bagby aka Uncle Jesse McNasty was instrumental in designing the processes by which new leagues can become members of MRDA. He handled prospective member leagues’ applications and the review/acceptance processes, as well as providing excellent conflict moderation skills during his tenure in the Executive Director of Member Relations position from 2011-2013. Mr. Bagby takes his leave from the BOD to concentrate on his family, a new career, and skating with Dallas Deception.

The MRDA would like to thank Erich Bennar, James Brains, and Uncle Jesse for all of their hard work and service, and all that they have contributed to the MRDA. We wish them the best of luck in their new endeavors.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The MRDA Announces New Member Leagues

December 1, 2013 –Continuing in its mission of developing sustainable roller derby leagues and enhancing the derby community, the MRDA is proud to announce three new member leagues. They are:

RED DEER DREADNAUGHTS from Red Deer, Alberta Canada.

https://www.facebook.com/RedDeerDreadnaughts

http://rdrda.ca/teams/the-dreadnaughts/

TULSA DERBY MILITA from Tulsa, Oklahoma

https://www.facebook.com/tulsaderbymilitia?fref=t

http://derbystrong.com/

TOULOUSE QUAD GUARDS from Toulouse, France.

https://www.facebook.com/QuadGuards

http://www.rollerderbytoulouse.com/

Please join the MRDA in welcoming them and check them out.

Contact: Jonas Downer

[email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The MRDA Teams Up With Movember

October 28, 2013 – Movember is a global health charity that has raised $446 million through the power of the Mo(mustache). For the thirty days of November, Movember encourages men to grow a mustache and women to support them. Growing a mustache sparks public and private discussion of the health issues facing men today. Mo Bros effectively become walking, talking billboards for men’s health for thirty days, raising awareness and funds to combat prostate and testicular cancer and raise awareness of other men’s health issues.

Participation is easy. The MRDA has teamed up with Movember and you can join the MRDA network of teams or just go solo. Mo Bros and Mo Sistas – yes, that’s right, sistas can mo too – go to http://monetwork.co/MensRollerDerbyAssociation and register. Then, men, Shave the Date on November 1^st, grow your mustache, and get friends, family and colleagues to donate to your Mo growing efforts.

Please join the MRDA in combating prostate and testicular cancer.

Contact: Jonas Downer

[email protected]

Your Mom Men’s Roller Derby is the 2013 MRDA Champion

For Immediate Release

October 20, 2013– The 2013 MRDA Championships in Sioux City, Iowa is over.  The Kornstalkers hosted an incredible tournament, some amazing derby was played and many bouts could have gone either way.  Below are the results of the MRDA Championships: Battle of Midway.

Your Mom Men’s Roller Derby defeats the New York Shock Exchange 249-130 to become the 2013 MRDA Champion.

#3-St. Louis Gatekeepers

#4-Mass Maelstrom

#5- Puget Sound Outcasts

#6- Bridgetown Menace

#7-Magic City Misfits

#8-Deep Valley Belligerents

The MRDA Continues to Grow

For Immediate Release

October 12, 2013- The MRDA continues to foster the growth and development of sustainable roller derby leagues and enhance the derby community with the admittance of six new leagues to the MRDA. Please welcome them. They are:

Glenmore Reservoir Dogs from Calgary, Alberta. They are part of the Chinook City Roller derby league which includes a women’s team, a co-ed team and junior team.

https://www.facebook.com/GlenmoreReservoirDogs

http://www.chinookcity.ca

The Big O Roller Bros from Omaha, Nebraska. They are the first men’s roller derby league in Nebraska.

https://www.facebook.com/bigorollerbros

http://bigorollerbros.org 

The Chicago Bruise Brothers from Chicago, Illinois, the premier men’s roller derby league in Chicago.

https://www.facebook.com/chicago.bruise.brothers

http://www.chicagobruisebrothers.com

Tyne and Fear Roller Derby from Walker, Newcastle in England. They are Northeast England’s first men’s roller derby league.

https://www.facebook.com/tyneandfear

http://www.tyneandfear.co.uk

The Inhuman League from Sheffield, England. They are Sheffield’s first men’s league and are affiliated with Sheffield Steel Roller girls.

https://www.facebook.com/inhumanleague

http://theinhumanleague.co.uk

The Cincinnati Battering Rams from Cincinnati, Ohio. The team was formed in 2011 and draws players from southwest Ohio and northern Kentucky.

https://www.facebook.com/cincinnatibatteringrams

http://www.cincinnatibatteringrams.com/

WFTDA Announces Beta Testing, February 2014 Rules Release

For Immediate Release

As the 2013 competitive season nears completion, the WFTDA Rules Committee is launching a six-week rules beta testing process. This test cycle is designed to gather data on two rules proposals that were generated out of community feedback and WFTDA membership discussions.

The WFTDA is seeking approximately ten WFTDA and MRDA leagues of all competitive levels to run scrimmage scenarios and provide general feedback, game statistics, and video footage. Participating leagues will be provided testing plans by the WFTDA Rules Committee, and asked to test and collect feedback from now until November 15, 2013. At the conclusion of this testing cycle, participants will be submit feedback in a survey administered online, to be made available in the coming weeks.

The testing will be overseen by a team from the Rules Committee. A report and recommendations, including any rules change proposals, will presented by this team to WFTDA membership for review and balloting in November 2013. Changes to the rules, if voted in by the membership after beta testing and feedback, would be incorporated in the next rules release, February 1, 2014.

The WFTDA community can continually submit feedback to the WFTDA Rules and officiating committees via our Timeout rules database (timeout.wftda.com); however the feedback period for the February 1, 2014 rules release will be open until October 31, 2013.

To submit your intent to participate in beta testing, please contact the WFTDA Rules Committee at [email protected] and provide the following information:

League name

League affiliation (WFTDA, MRDA, Other)

Years of experience

League testing contact name and email

Ability to provide video footage of scrimmages (Y/N)

For more information on the tests or your league joining the beta testing group, contact [email protected].

http://wftda.com/rules/beta/proposal-destruction-failure-to-reform.pdf

http://wftda.com/rules/beta/proposal-30-second-penalties.pdf

MRDA Announces New Executive Director Of Public Relations

For Immediate Release

October 1, 2013 – The MRDA would like to announce Jonas Downer of the Deep Valley Belligerents as the new executive director of public relations.

Jonas Downer founded NorCal Men’s Roller Derby in September 2011 and earned valuable experience using marketing techniques to recruit and attract an audience.  He currently skates with the Deep Valley Belligerents where he is on multiple committees and leads the committee that is drafting a new constitution for the league.  Jonas’ work with the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees has given Jonas valuable experience with project management.  Mr. Downer will bring an exciting perspective to the role of marketing/public relations.

Jonas Downer replaces James Brains, who retired from roller derby to care for his growing family.  The MRDA would like to thank Mr. Brains for his invaluable contributions in promoting the MRDA and wish him the best.

Video for 2013 MRDA Championships Will Appear on WFTDA.tv

For Immediate Release

September 20, 2013 – With the common goal of producing a high quality product for larger audiences, the Men’s Roller Derby Association is teaming up with the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association’s WFTDA.tv to present the 2013 MRDA Championships. Noted for its high quality video footage, WFTDA.tv is the platform WFTDA uses to present the organization’s high-profile events. Now, they are bringing their expertise to host the live and archived video of the MRDA Championships in Sioux City, Iowa October 19-20.

MRDA’s goals in this endeavor are to:

• Boost the broadcast production of MRDA Championships.
• Have a static, easy to use/find archive of MRDA Championship bouts.
• Get more exposure, using an established technology/platform.
• Increase viewership and keep MRDA broadcasts free to fans and viewers.
• Increase MRDA’s sponsorship offerings.

“MRDA would like to reach fans beyond the derby community. In order to reach more fans, MRDA needs to refine and to standardize how we broadcast events and WFTDA.tv provides an ideal platform,” MRDA President Erich Bennar says. “We will be broadcasting all bouts at the 2013 MRDA Championships live on WFTDA.tv Presents, and WFTDA.tv will host archives of these bouts for MRDA. Both the broadcast and archives will be free to viewers.”

“Collaborating through WFTDA.tv is a positive step for both MRDA and WFTDA. So, for the 2013 MRDA Championships, MRDA will be broadcasting all bouts live on WFTDA.tv, and WFTDA.tv will host archives of these bouts for MRDA. Both the broadcast and archives will be free to viewers,” Bennar added.

More information, including the 2013 MRDA Championships programming schedule, can be found at WFTDA.tv and the Championships website.

If interested in advertising during WFTDA.tv’s broadcast of the 2013 MRDA Championships, contact MRDA Head of Sponsorship Screech Around at [email protected].

MRDA Announces New Director of Member Relations

For Immediate Release

September 13, 2013- The Men’s Roller Derby Association welcomes new Executive Director of Member Relations, Rave N’ BustHer. Rave N’ will succeed Uncle Jesse McNasty.  

Uncle Jesse McNasty has been with MRDA since it’s inception in 2011 and helped with the transition from MDC to MRDA. Jesse served as one of the 11 pro-tem Board Members before being elected as the first Director of Member Relations. He has served in that position since. Jesse’s most notable accomplishments in MRDA include the drafting and incorporation of the MRDA Membership Requirements, the MRDA New Member Packet, the MRDA Code of Conduct, and the MRDA Grievance Policy. He also developed and supervised the Member Application Committee and the New League Welcoming Committee. Jesse is also responsible for streamlining the MRDA Membership Application process and helping MRDA grow to 34 member leagues in 3 countries.

Rave N’ BustHer began his derby career as ref in August of 2010. He attended his first men’s derby practice in December of that year. After moving to Los Angeles in July of 2011, he and three others founded the Drive-By City Rollers. He helped grow Drive-By City into a sustainable league gaining admittance to MRDA in December of 2012. Rave N’ is currently also Drive-By City’s president.

MRDA bids a fond adieu to Uncle Jesse McNasty and thanks him for all of his hard work in shaping MRDA. MRDA welcomes Rave N’ BustHer as he joins the MRDA Board to help shape the future of roller derby.