Geez Jane, there's not enough rep supply to give you lately.
Edit: And while I was composing this we get another couple of great replies!
I'd like to comment on just one aspect of your post.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JaneYoung
One of my concerns is the rookies and the first, second, and even third year teams.
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I think you're right.
For rookies, the challenge is getting the teams started and, for lack of a better word, herding them along. Events like the Kettering Rookie district that was held this year can do a lot for them. I think the biggest challenge for rookies is getting teams started in the first place. Someone has a half-hearted idea to "look into" FIRST and then discovers the tremendous cost and time commitments required. Some get scared off before they even start to organize. Others fail partway through. In the meantime, they are mostly below the radar of the established teams. Pretty much they're not recognized until they register and then show up at a kickoff. The biggest success in forming rookie teams has to come through mentoring by other teams.
Then comes sustainability, for 2nd and 3rd year teams especially. I think many teams get off the roller coaster with a "Whee!" feeling, thinking the ride was great, but don't see themselves getting back in line for another go at it. They went all out, and don't have any fuel left. Or perhaps key students graduate, taking their parent mentors along with them, or a corporate sponsor doesn't have the wherewithall for a multi-year commitment of funds and mentors. I'm not sure what to do to keep these teams going.
OK, that got off track from the "FIRST as Sports" theme. But there are parallels, especially to sports burn-out that some kids suffer after over-committing. Or to coaches who put their time in for 2 or 3 years, and then bow out and there's no one to take up the position.
Closer back on track, there are many aspects of FIRST that are similar to sports teams - as long as we're talking about teams on the same HS-age group level. There are a few super-star sports teams that go on to national or international championships. But most plod on (and I mean that in the best sense) in their local leagues. Our build season is the their pre-season practice - there's fun, but mostly it's work. Our regionals are their league play. Our Atlanta is their playoffs. Through the whole thing, we have both the cameraderie and the conflicts of team dynamics. As long as we don't lose sight of the amateur nature of FRC, competitive attitudes are good. When we foul an opponent, we offer them a hand to get back up. We want to win, but not at the expense of losing integrity. While we are not professionals, we exhibit Gracious Professionalism.