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Originally Posted by Steve W
Team 188 and their upstart rival of 1114. It seems that the little sister is always trying to outdo the parent team. Bring it on!!!!  |
This isn't the most publicized rivalry on CD, but north of the border this is HUGE. Here's the background.
In 1998 Team 188, Woburn Robotics was founded as the first ever Canadian team in FIRST. The team was started by former Canadian Regional Director, Mark Breadner and 2004 Canadian Regional Woodie Flowers Award Winner, Roly Anderson. For years Woburn was known as the only Canadian powerhouse, partly because they were the only Canadian team. In 2002, the Canadian explosion occurred with the start of the Canadian Regional, but 188 was still the only Canadian team who was garnering much attention south of the border.
In 2003 things began to change. Team 1114 was formed out of St. Catharines Engine Plant, about an hour and a half away from Woburn. In their rookie year, they became the first Canadian team other than Woburn to win a robot related award outside of Canada. They went down to Houston, and stacked their way into the minds of everyone. (I'll never forget seeing that stack of seven go up...) For the first time, people were noticing a Canadian team that wasn't Woburn.
During the off-season before 2004, Steve Rourke, the "owner" of Team 1114 decided he wanted 1114 to take things to the next level. Despite his team's success in 2003 he knew his team was still short on FIRST experience. Steve wanted to bring in the best, so he set out to find the most experience FIRST people in Canada. Naturally his search took himself to Team 188. Steve hired to of Woburn's most illustrious alumni, Ian Mackenzie and myself.
Myself and Ian were made the "co-general managers" of Team 1114
2004 proved to be a great season for both 1114 and 188. 1114 achieved many things never to accomplished by any Canadian Team. But with the brain drain from 188 to 1114, a true rivalry had begun. The debate over who the best Canadian team raged on throughout the season. (Note that neither team has ever actually won the Canadian Regional...)
The rivalry is great fun for both teams. The link between the Woburn alumni has ensured that the rivalry remains friendly. I know the first place I always went for help this season when in need of a part or a tool was the 188 pit. That being said, there was extra motivation in those matches where we lined up against 188.
The next chapter of the rivalry occurred just recently has Tristan Lall, another Woburn alumni was hired by the engine plant, and will be working directly with Team 1114.
Well that's the history lesson. Here's my favourite quote about the rivalry.
"You start with Woburn (188), then you graduate to Simbotics (1114)." -- Ian Mackenzie