Bay State Brawlers Roller Derby , (BSB), is a flat-track roller derby league based in the twin cities of Fitchburg and Leominster , Massachusetts . Founded in 2008, Bay State is a member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA).
6-635: Bay State was founded in 2008 as "Central Mass Roller Derby", and became Bay State Brawlers Roller Derby in 2011. Bay State joined the WFTDA Apprentice Program in 2013, and became a full member league in July 2014. In 2014, the league featured 5 teams, the Petticoat Pushers, Brawlin’ Broads, Bluestocking Bombers, LumberJackies, and Switchblade Sallies. From 2017 to 2020, the league had two teams that played teams from other leagues:
12-624: Is composed of two competitive travel teams, the Brawlers (our WFTDA charter team) and the Bantams (our “B” team), officials, volunteers, and new recruits." The league is a non-profit organization, whose 30-40 members fundraise for various causes. WFTDA Apprentice Program The Women's Flat Track Derby Association Apprentice was the program affiliate of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA). In operation from 2009 until early 2019,
18-781: 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. 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
24-618: The Apprentice Program served to onboard new member leagues into the WFTDA. In February 2019, the WFTDA announced it was retiring the program, to be replaced with a new "New Member Program" in the near future. In July 2009, the WFTDA announced its new apprentice program for aspiring member leagues that replaced its traditional membership application process. The program is designed to act as a "WFTDA 101" tutorial, and will match new leagues with an established WFTDA mentor, who will guide
30-549: The WFTDA opened for worldwide membership and the London Rollergirls became the first league outside North America to join as apprentice members. In June 2010, the WFTDA announced the first round of Apprentice league graduates, and formed two new regions outside of the United States. Note: some leagues have changed their names since graduation from the Apprentice Program. The names of such leagues at
36-435: The apprentice through the processes and requirements necessary to becoming a full member. Upon completion of the program, apprentice leagues will have the knowledge (and the recommendations) needed to apply for full WFTDA membership. The program ensures that applicants adhere to WFTDA standards for games, events and structure, and once accepted into the WFTDA, member teams qualify for international rankings . In November 2009
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