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AUSTIN, TX – March 29, 2010 – Today the Women’s Flat Derby Association (WFTDA) announces the results of its first-ever comprehensive demographic survey of modern roller derby fans and athletes.
The survey was conducted online over the course of four weeks. More than 3,200 current skaters and 4,800 fans participated to build a rich profile of the sport’s new fan base.
Women’s roller derby has thrived for the last decade as an ‘alternative’ sport, prospering outside the mainstream world of big-time athletics. Roller derby leagues around the world have flourished under skater management, who used DIY (“do it yourself”) techniques and volunteer labor to turn roller derby into “the goliath of underground athletics because it challenges the status quo of American sports.”[1]
The WFTDA, the governing body for women’s flat track roller derby, took on the challenge of profiling the diverse network of fans, skaters, and volunteers who make up the modern roller derby demographic. “Our 2010 demographic survey indicates that roller derby fans and skaters are highly loyal to their new favorite sport and come from all walks of life,” said Juliana Gonzales, WFTDA Executive Director. “This survey also reveals alternate interests within our sporting community, allowing us to target promotional partners. The results of this survey prepare the WFTDA and its individual member leagues to develop marketing and sponsorship opportunities for our emerging extreme team sport.”
The survey design allows the WFTDA’s local member leagues to break out and analyze the demographics of their own local audience and then use these figures to pursue appropriate local marketing and sponsorship partnerships.
Roller derby’s unique amateur sports model has fostered an explosion in the sport’s global popularity; currently there are more than 450 leagues in 11 countries worldwide.[2]
About the WFTDA
The Women’s Flat Track Derby Association is the governing body for women’s flat track roller derby, and a membership organization for the leagues to collaborate and network. The organization created and maintained the first standardized rule set for the flat track game, which is now in its fourth edition. The WFTDA also serves as the sanctioning body for flat track roller derby games, hosts regional and national tournaments, sets safety standards, provides insurance to athletes and leagues, and serves as a networking venue for flat track roller derby leagues to share resources and get advice. There are currently 78 WFTDA member leagues.
To view more results, visit http://wftda.com/sponsors/opportunities
[1] “More Than Just Hot Tattooed Chicks on Wheels.” Dundas, Zach. http://www.doublex.com/section/arts/more-just-hot-tattooed-chicks-wheels October 2, 2009.
[2] http://www.derbyroster.com “Roller Derby Worldwide: A list of amateur roller derby leagues around the world”
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