[Michael Blake]

Just received this email... looks like World Championship will probably remain at 128 FTC teams...


-----Original Message-----
From: "Andrew Schuetze"
Sent: Tuesday, June 4, 2013 5:38pm
To: "Patrick Felty", "Mike Henry"
Cc:
Subject: Re: Update on FTC Qualifier dates 2013 - 2014 season

Greetings to all Alamo FTC coaches and main contacts.

By now you all should have received a blast from FTC regarding a new competition structure for next season that includes a Super-regional between championship events such as the Alamo FTC Championship and the World Championship. http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprogr...uper-regionals

This decision which was not fully approved until a week or so ago and is the reason why I previously sent out the email informing you that the qualifier window for the coming season would likely be shorter and earlier in the year. No way around adding in a new level and giving everyone time to make travel plans without making time in the schedule.

So that I don't have to follow up with each of your valid and reasonable questions individually, let me reply to all with some FAQs not on the FTC Super-Regional page. So yes, Please read all of the facts on the FTC Page before reading this email!

The Texas FTC Affiliate partners submitted a collaborative proposal along with the Oklahoma FTC Affiliate partner to host the FTC South FTC regional. As announced by FTC, Texas was awarded the opportunity to host the FTC South Super-Regional. The host city will be announced early in the fall by FTC.

FTC has not given affiliate partners any specifics on numbers advancing from championship tournaments to the super-regional and then to the world championship at this point in time. They have said that the goal is to not reduce the existing numbers of teams advancing.

FTC World Championship is likely to remain a 128 team event.

FTC growth has reached a point where they could not add any new championship events due to space at the World Championship. They began the planning process some years ago and this season they reached the limit where a decision had to be made.

I will join many of the other FTC Affiliate Partners from across the globe this next week up in New Hampshire for partner conference where I will undoubtedly learn more specifics about the Super-Regional events. I will share what I can as soon as reasonable possible.

enjoy your summer and looking forward to another great FIRST Season,

APS