MRDA Announces New Open Admissions Period

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 2, 2013 – Today, the Men’s Roller Derby Association announced a new admissions policy.  Effective immediately, applications for admission will be accepted from January 1^st through September 30^th of each year. Previously, MRDA had month-long admissions periods in June and November. During the 2013 season, applications for membership will be accepted from April 1, 2013 through September 30^, 2013.

This change will give newly-admitted teams an opportunity to be eligible for championships if their application is received by May 31^st, meets the membership requirements, and is approved by 66% of league voting representatives.  All applications received by the Application Committee are reviewed to ensure that the applying league has fulfilled the requirements set forth by the “Membership Requirements” policy.

For more information on membership requirements visit  http://www.mrda.org/membershiprequirements/.

MRDA Announces Resignation of Geno Guerrero

For Immediate Release

March 22, 2013 – The Men’s Roller Derby Association is sad to announce the resignation of Geno Guerrero as Secretary for MRDA. Due to many other commitments and to avoid compromising his ability to perform his role as Secretary, Geno has decided to step down from this position. Prior to the incarnation of MRDA’s Board of Directors, Geno was instrumental in drafting MRDA’s bylaws and also served on this Board as Director of Public Relations from June 2011 until December 2012. He was elected as Secretary to MRDA’s Board in January 2013 and held that position until March 2013. During his tenure on the Board, he established and then headed the PR and Marketing Committees and helped develop systems for press releases and nurturing media contacts. He also headed the project to update the MRDA website and make it more accessible to users and administrators.

Geno will continue to be involved in MRDA business as a MRDA League Representative and as a skater for the Puget Sound Outcasts. He co-owns Leadjammer Skates with his wife, Kessara ”Knock’er SocksOff” Guerrero. He is also working with Bont at their new US warehouse located in Washington. Geno successfully managed the Oly Rollers to the WFTDA Championships in 2012, and will continue to coach for the Oly Rollers in 2013.

MRDA would like to thank Geno for all of his hard work and help in making MRDA what it is today.

You can find Leadjammer Skates at www.leadjammerskates.com.

MRDA Match-Ups for Spring Roll 2013 & The Big O Announced

For Immediate Release

March 20, 2013 – The third weekend of May 2013 will have two tournaments vying for your attention with plenty of MRDA action. MRDA is proud to have so many of leagues participating in these two events, both of which will take place May 17-19, 2013. Spring Roll 2013 is hosted by the Ft. Wayne Derby Girls and will take place in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. More information on Spring Roll 2013 can be found on the event’s website.  The Big O is co-hosted by the Emerald City Roller Girls and Lane County Concussion and will take place in Eugene, OR. Visit the Big O website for more information.

Match-ups are listed below with each team’s current ranking in parentheses. Please check each event’s respective website for schedules and viewing information.

Spring Roll 2013 Match-Ups

• (1) YMMD v. (7) Portland Men’s Roller Derby (Bridgetown Menace)
• (1) YMMD v. Carolina Wreckingballs
• (1) YMMD v. Milwaukee Blitzdkrieg
• (2) St. Louis Gatekeepers v. (6) Mass Maelstrom
• (2) St. Louis Gatekeepers v. (9) Race City Rebels
• (2) St. Louis Gatekeepers v. (11) Rock City Riot
• (4) Magic City Misfits v. (6) Mass Maelstrom
• (4) Magic City Misfits v. (9) Race City Rebels
• (4) Magic City Misfits v. (12) Harm City Homicide
• (6) Mass Maelstrom v. (7) Portland Men’s Roller Derby (Bridgetown Menace)
• (7) Portland Men’s Roller Derby (Bridgetown Menace) v. (9) Race City Rebels
• (11) Rock City Riot v. Carolina
• (11) Rock City Riot v. (12) Harm City Homicide
• (12) Harm City Homicide v. Milwaukee Blitzdkrieg
• Carolina Wreckingballs v. Milwaukee Blitzdkrieg

The Big O 2013 Match-Ups

• Southern Discomfort Roller Derby v. Drive-By City Rollers
• Southern Discomfort Roller Derby v. (5) Puget Sound Outcast Derby
• Southern Discomfort Roller Derby v. (14) Deep Valley Belligerents
• Arizona Men’s Derby v. Capital City Skull Crushers
• Arizona Men’s Derby v. Uinta Madness
• Arizona Men’s Derby v. Lane County Concussion
• Drive-By City Rollers v. Capital City Skull Crushers
• Drive-By City Rollers v. Uinta Madness
• Capital City Skull Crushers v. Lane County Concussion
• (14) Deep Valley Belligerents v. (5) Puget Sound Outcast Derby

Northeast (CT, ME, MA, NJ, NH, NY, PA, RI, VT) – Committee Representatives: Potomac Ripper

Southeast (AL, DC, DE, FL, GA, MD, NC, SC, VA, WV) – Committee Representative: ProseHack

North Central (IL, IN, IA, MI, MN, ND, OH, SD, WI) – Committee Representative: Brad Religion

Committee Representative: Devine Intervention

MRDA Announces Forum Update

For Immediate Release 

March 13, 2013- The Men’s Roller Derby Association has changed from phpBB to Simple Machine Forums to manage its forums and message boards. This change allows greater accessibility to the public and easier, more efficient administration while keeping the members-only area secure and effective.

MRDA would like to acknowledge Ray Cardillo for his work during this transition. Cardillo, a former skater with the Quadfathers, and currently helping to create the Charm City Junior Derby program, was responsible for the migration to the new forum. Cardillo’s Creations also created the software MRDA uses for tracking votes in the form of an SMF ‘mod’ called Voter Visibility. Ray is also working on a new derby name registry called Master Roster and does creative work under Mr. Mighty’s Fine Designs.

The MRDA would also like to express thanks to Hit Happens of the Connecticut Death Quads for his extensive help in the transition process and his ongoing forum troubleshooting.

The MRDA forum is located at http://forum.mrda.org.  To get an account email: [email protected].

MRDA Teams Announced for Spring Roll and The Big O

For Immediate Release

February 20, 2013 – The 2013 Spring Roll Tournament has announced the MRDA teams that will be playing during this tournament, which will span a three-day weekend from May 17-19, 2013. This tournament is hosted by the Fort Wayne Derby Girls at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne, Indiana. This event will feature MRDA, WFTDA and JRDA bouts and will also showcase a special feature bout between Your Mom Men’s Derby and the Mid-West Women’s Mega team on Saturday, May 18, 2013.

The MRDA teams participating at Spring Roll 2013:

Carolina Wreckingballs (South Carolina)
Harm City Homicide (Maryland)
Magic City Misfits (Florida)
Mass Maelstrom (Massachusetts)
Milwaukee Blitzdkrieg (Wisconsin)
Portland Men’s Roller Derby (Oregon)
Race City Rebels (Indiana)
Rock City Riot (North Dakota)
St Louis Gatekeepers (Missouri)
Your Mom Men’s Derby (Iowa)

For more information on Spring Roll, visit the Spring Roll website.

Also taking place May 17-19, 2013 is the Big O tournament in Eugene, OR. Hosted by the Emerald City Roller Girls and the Lane County Concussion, the Big O will feature several MRDA teams including Lane County Concussion, Deep Valley Belligerents, Puget Sound Outcast Derby, Southern Discomfort Roller Derby, Arizona Men’s Roller Derby, Boise Men’s Roller Derby, and Drive-By City Rollers. Visit the Big O website for the latest news.

The 2013 MRDA Champion will raise the trophy in Sioux City, Iowa

For Immediate Release 

February 19, 2013 – The Sioux City Korn Stalkers will host the 2013 Men’s Roller Derby Association Championships. This thrill-a-minute and hard-hitting weekend takes place October 19-20, 2013 in Sioux City, Iowa, and will feature the top eight teams in the end-of-year rankings. Competition for the top spots continue to grow as the MRDA has expanded to 31 teams in the last year.

The Korn Stalkers will work closely with the MRDA and use the model of last year’s successful “Gateway to the Best” championship tournament to bring us another memorable weekend of high-caliber roller derby. The Korn Stalkers are Iowa’s first men’s roller derby league and, located in the middle of the country, offer a convenient destination point.

The 2013 championships will be held at the Long Lines Family Recreation Center in Sioux City. Long Lines has a newer sport court with plenty of room for locker rooms and ample parking. Stadium seating, as well as floor seating will give plenty of options for spectators looking for a thrilling roller derby experience.

Check back to the MRDA website and Facebook page for the latest updates.

Book your flights now and see you in October!

MRDA Champions Top Initial 2013 Rankings

For Immediate Release

February 18, 2013 –MRDA announced the first rankings for the 2013 season. After winning the 2012 MRDA Championships, Your Mom Men’s Derby remains #1 with the St. Louis GateKeepers, New York Shock Exchange, Magic City Misfits and Puget Sound Outcast Derby rounding out the top five. The big change is the Deep Valley Belligerents entering the rankings for the first time at #14. For the previous rankings, visit here.

Two upcoming tournaments have the potential to cause a big shake up in the next rankings release. Spring Roll, taking place in Fort Wayne, Ind., and The Big O, in Eugene, Ore., will both be played the weekend of May 17-19. The Spring Roll line-up is slated to be announced the week.

MRDA is now 31 teams strong. Look for fierce competition this season as teams battle it out for a spot in the top eight in the final rankings earning a trip to the 2013 MRDA Championships. MRDA plans to announce the location for the 2013 MRDA Championships later this week.

2013 MRDA Opening Rankings

#1 Your Mom Men’s Derby – Des Moines, IA
#2 St. Louis GateKeepers – St. Louis, MO
#3 New York Shock Exchange – New York City, NY
#4 Magic City Misfits – Jacksonville, FL
#5 Puget Sound Outcast Derby – Tacoma, WA
#6 Mass Maelstrom – Lancaster, MA
#7 Portland Men’s Roller Derby – Portland, OR
#8 Dallas Deception – Dallas, TX
#9 Race City Rebels – Indianapolis, IN
#10 Twin Cities Terrors – Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN
#11 Rock City Riot – Fargo, ND
#12 Harm City Homicide – Baltimore, MD
#13 Connecticut Death Quads – Waterbury, CT
#14 Deep Valley Belligerents – Ukiah, CA
#15 Capital District Trauma Authority – Albany, NY
#16 Pioneer Valley Roller Derby – Northampton, MA
#17 Sioux City Korn Stalkers – Sioux City, IA
#18 Cowtown Butchers – Kansas City, MO
#19 The Quadfathers – Utica, NY
#20 Mean Mountain Boys – Burlington, VT

Unranked (in alphabetical order)

• Arizona Men’s Derby – Phoenix, AZ
• Boise Men’s Roller Derby – Boise,ID
• Carolina Wreckingballs – Columbia, SC
• Drive-By City Rollers – Los Angeles, CA
• Green Bay Smackers – Green Bay, WI
• Lane County Concussion – Eugene, OR
• Manchester Roller Derby – Manchester, England
• Milwaukee Blitzkrieg – Milwaukee, WI
• Mont Royals Montreal Men’s Roller Derby – Montreal, Quebec
• Southern Discomfort Roller Derby – London, England
• Tampa Bay Men’s Roller Derby – Tampa Bay, FL

MRDA Officiating Updates and Creation of Three New Committees

Immediate Release

January 2, 2013 – The Men’s Roller Derby Association is proud to announce it now has 111 MRDA Officials and has created three new committees. MRDA Officials are referees, non-skating officials, and announcers who work in conjunction with member leagues to
consistently and effectively volunteer their time to uphold MRDA Rules, Code of Conduct and Bylaws, and to support the growth and development of the MRDA.

By reaching the 111-official mark, the MRDA continues to support its mission to promote and grow men’s roller derby. For more information on becoming an MRDA Official, go to http://www.mrda.org/officiating.

MRDA is happy to announce that Miss Trial has been re-elected as MRDA’s 2013 Director of Officiating. Any questions with respect to MRDA Officiating can be addressed to her here: [email protected]

MRDA is also pleased to announce the creation of the Training and Development Committee, responsible for officials’ training and for upcoming MRDA clinics. This new committee will be headed by Anne Persand. More information regarding MRDA
officiating clinics is coming soon.

The newly-formed Safety Protocol Committee will be in charge of overseeing compliance with safety standards at bouts and tournaments. Bambi Lance will head this committee.

The third new committee, the Welcoming Committee, will be in charge of initiating newly-approved MRDA member leagues. The Welcoming Committee will also be responsible for offering guidance on how best our new member league’s can participate within the MRDA, by offering instruction and answering questions regarding our inner workings and available positions. Blueberry will head the Welcoming Committee.