Making a FRC team in Japan

[waialua359]

Originally Posted by SteveGarward

I was fortunate enough to start in FRC last year as a mentor with 3132 in Australia during their first year, so here's my input based on experience.

* Work closely with FIRST to get their help and support. There is a lot to do logistically to make this happen. Just getting the kit of parts could prove hard, depending on customs laws in Japan or the US. But get in touch early and see what can be done, and keep in touch regularly.
* Travel to a regional will be the biggest expense in your budget. Last year we traveled to New Hampshire for GSR, and this year the team went to Hawaii. You don't have to go to the closest regional.
* Try to partner with/work with a team or teams elsewhere that have experience. The interaction of students is great, and they can help guide and teach the students on your new team. Similarly, mentor interaction is useful.

I know the teams from Turkey travel to different regionals, and I also know (this year at least) it takes a while to get the kit of parts. So start at step 1 early, and that is, contact FIRST.

Good luck. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

Definitely true, however, cost is sometimes everything for a team.
As the only non-Hawaii team who participated in Hawaii last year, there was certainly something noticeably different compared to 2008 when several mainland teams came.

[feverittm]

As someone else wrote somewhere here on CD "Once you are on the plane, the cost to go 2000 or 200 miles is about the same." We have had Mexican teams in Portland, and the team from Turkey went to Seattle. As people have said the major budget item will be travel, but the team will be welcome to any regional.

[SteveGarward]

Agreed. Often from Australia it can cost less to go further, depending on if it is a major travel route etc., in addition to any current discounts. Let's face it - to go anywhere from Australia costs a lot!

To adjust my statement: You don't have to go to the closest regional, but you do have to be able to pay for it.

Keeping that in mind, you will certainly want some good sponsorship and fundraising efforts. Aiming to subsidise travel for students will be easier than attempting complete cost coverage.

[AdamHeard]

Originally Posted by waialua359

Definitely true, however, cost is sometimes everything for a team.
As the only non-Hawaii team who participated in Hawaii last year, there was certainly something noticeably different compared to 2008 when several mainland teams came.

Culturally it seems like Hawaii is also the best choice, at least for their very first regional.

[MathFreak]

I just felt like getting back to this post. Four years has passed, and I could start the first team in my home country at last!! Team 5701 reveal. See you at the competition!

[KelliV]

Congrats!!!! Good luck this season!

[The_ShamWOW88]

Awesome job guys! Great to see FRC expanding so much internationally! Hopefully someday soon, we'll see the creation of a Japan regional!!

[pmangels17]

That's pretty awesome! Glad to see that you saw your dream through to the end. Best of luck at your very first regional!

[popnbrown]

This is pretty awesome to see the goal you set for yourself four years ago accomplished. Congrats! and Good luck!

[IronicDeadBird]

If this happens and you for some reason need contacts in Colorado I would be happy to talk!
Although the Hawaii, Colorado difference is kind of... crazy.

[Wetzel]

Best thread necro I've seen in some time. Congratulations and good luck at the competition!

[Calvin Hartley]

Congratulations. I'm sure this wasn't an easy task. Good luck this season, and many more!

[Cabey4]

I see that you managed to start team 5701!!!!!!!!
It looks like you did very well, particularly for a rookie team!!!!
Hope you have a great off-season, and an even better 2016 season!!!!
おげんきですか。にほごおできます。（I only know a little Japanese, not even enough to say 'I know a little Japanese' But I'm getting there)
さようなら！！！

[LCJ]

Hey Hikari, I am from Japan too!

I feel like starting a team in Japan would be somewhat difficult but definitely do-able! I am still fluent in Japanese (although tech-jargon may be difficult for me).
I would love to help, especially in the form of teaching the Japanese students (I can do translations and also teach CAD over emails/video call).

If you are going to make a team in Japan, please private message me!!

[Phoenix Spud]

It was great meeting you at the Hawaii Regional Hikari! After emailing/skyping throughout the pre/build seasons, it was great to see the robot in action (and play together in a match!) Best of luck going forward, I can't wait to see what's in store for FRC in Japan.