[Amanda M]

I think that people are forgetting something VERY important: FIRST is a robotics COMPETITION. That means that the best of the best go to the championships.

I don't want to sound rude, so I apologize straight off.

First of all, FIRST can't allow so many teams to compete at nationals. It would be wonderful to have the entire FIRST community present, but time simply wouldn't allow it. If your team wants to go to Nationals really bad, then just jump on the bandwagon with another team that's qualified. That's what my team did. Sam Rix from the team in England flew to Atlanta and tagged along with our team for the weekend.

I know FIRST preaches Gracious Professionalism, and Gracious Professionalism is a wonderful concept. But most teams seem to be it to manipulate any situation to their benefit. FIRST has a wonderful principle. That principle has nothing to do with getting every team in the world to nationals. Just because there is a limit, doesn't mean that they don't love you. It just means that there isn't time to fit in as many matches as the teams want.

Now, I have one small suggestion to make. If your team is worried about being qualified next year, then stop with the post season. Go straight to Pre-season. Start fundraising, start getting community outreach projects going, start prototyping and messing around with different drive trains and chassis. That way, when the game comes, you'll be prepared. You'll already have a base for your robot to build on. Then, build to suit the game.

Every team wants to go to nationals. It's the best FIRST party of the year. But I can guarantee that if you get started working now, and start making a difference in the community now, when it comes time for the next competition season, you'll have a great time playing and you'll have the resources to do so much more in FIRST. It won't matter if you qualify or not. You'll have inspired someone either on or off your team. Maybe both.


And that's all that really matters. Not where you get to go, but what you do. Winning and qualifying is a perk. If you don't make a difference, then it won't mean as much to you.


Just my humble opinion.

Amanda