Today, the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association announced that one of its seven international roller derby tournaments will be held in Wichita, Kansas, this fall. The local WFTDA-affiliated league, the ICT Roller Girls, will help kick off the 2016 International WFTDA Playoffs and Championships as the host of the first of two Division 2 Playoffs Aug. 19-21. The league was selected to host through a competitive bid process.

“ICT Roller Girls have been Wichita’s premier roller derby league and bringing this tournament to Wichita will help increase excitement locally for this fast-paced sport,” shares Susie Santo, president & CEO of Visit Wichita.

The International WFTDA Playoffs and Championships tournament series, in its 11th year, brings together the most talented, highly trained skaters from WFTDA member leagues for game play that pushes the limits of the sport worldwide. Whether participating on the track, cheering in the stands or watching on WFTDA.tv, the WFTDA tournaments provide everyone who loves roller derby an opportunity to witness the most anticipated match-ups of the year.

“This year we are celebrating our 10 year anniversary of starting roller derby in Wichita and hosting a playoffs game will elevate awareness for ICT Roller Girls in both the roller derby community as well as bring heightened attention and expand our fan base locally. We're looking forward to bringing access to high level roller derby to our team as well as all of the other teams in Kansas and neighboring states,” said Kalee Hildreth, Director, ICT Roller Girls. “As a relatively new sport, watching roller derby helps grow skills and develop a deeper understanding of strategy for individual skaters and teams.”

Ten of the top Division 2 WFTDA teams will compete in Wichita Aug. 19-21 for a chance to advance to the 2016 International WFTDA Championships in Portland, Oregon. The second Division 2 Playoffs will take place Aug. 26-28 in Lansing, Michigan. In September, four Division 1 Playoffs will be held in Montreal, Quebec; Columbia, South Carolina; Vancouver, British Columbia; and Madison, Wisconsin. See wftda.com/tournaments for more information. All tournaments will also be covered live by WFTDA’s online broadcast channel, WFTDA.tv.