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More thoughts and rebuttals
After reading some of your replies to my original post I'd like to make a few statements-
1. Fair or unfair- if a team wanted to give away points to friends it would be their business. If they hurt the feelings of other teams that too would be their business. Quite frankly, if I had points to give to some teams that we have had a good relationship with and we could, I would happily do so. In my mind friends support friends. I miss seeing some of my friends when they don't qualify for Nats. No teams are entitled to anything so nobody should be offended.
2. All teams should be able to go to Nationals. It is a great experience for kids no matter how well they play. By saying only the "better teams" should go misses the point of FIRST to motivate as many kids as possible. Since the National Championship is not a TRUE championship by the nature of its qualification then it should be open to all. If it were a true championship then I too would insist that only the regional winners be allowed to play in it.
3. As far as some teams not having "brother or sister teams", well maybe it is time to find one or maybe help a neighbor start a new team. Then you WOULD have one. Sharing of the points might help build relationships between teams or allow mentors to boost the rookie teams they helped start.
Look, I doubt FIRST would ever agree to this because it is too complex for them to keep track of. But the sentiment to help others is here and FIRST should be for all kids, not just the ones fortunate enough to get on highly successful, highly competitive teams.
WC
(PS- not a bad discussion for the "dead season" eh?)
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