Districts Wa State

[SciBorg Dave]

Will Washington State move to the districts model in 2014 ?
Washington state now has 3 regionals, it seems to me that the next move would be to change the 3 regionals to districts and then have a super regional (tri-cities ). This would build strong teams with local competition.
What do other think ?

[Donut]

Will they eventually? Yes.

I don't see it for next year though. California and Minnesota both present a stronger case for Districts now IMO, and I don't believe either one is making the transition next year.

[MrJohnston]

Washington is very seriously looking at moving to a district model next year. There are some details that must be meshed out, but, because the FIRSTWA leadership is in favor of it as are many (most?) teams, don't be surprised if it happens. I would be very surprised if the change is not made by 2015.

[Mr V]

It is likely we will see the NW region for the 2014 season. It was seriously considered for the 2013 season but the contracts were already in place for the Autodesk Oregon Regional.

When the district model happens it will include WA and OR. Teams in northern ID have been asked if they would like to join.

Where the Region Championship occurs has yet to be decided, I favor having it rotate around the Region, Portland, Seattle and maybe Spokane if a suitable sized venue can be found.

On another sort of related note the WIAA (Washington Interscholastic Activities Association) is considering listing FRC and possibly FTC as sanctioned activities. This would clear the way for a WA state championship. Teams would likely earn points based on their performance as the district events, though not necessarily the same point system to qualify for the regional championships. Sometime in May is likely when the state championship would occur. As this point I have yet to hear an announcement from WIAA or FIRST WA as to their decision.

[Navid Shafa]

Originally Posted by Mr V

When the district model happens it will include WA and OR. Teams in northern ID have been asked if they would like to join.

Don't forget Alaska and Montana, who are also likely to be a part of the "Northwest District Model".

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/at...1&d=1363286050

Originally Posted by Mr V

Where the Region Championship occurs has yet to be decided, I favor having it rotate around the Region, Portland, Seattle and maybe Spokane if a suitable sized venue can be found.

The venue for the Oregon regional often comes up in District championship conversations. This venue is perhaps the biggest and best that has been used for large regionals in the past. It may not arguably be the most "central" or most convenient for travel arrangements, but I doubt anyone will argue against the quality of organization and physical layout there.

[SciBorg Dave]

I like the idea of Washington, Oregon, N. Idaho, W. Montana and Alaska.

That could be NWSR- North West Super Regional

OH! what FUN

[cadandcookies]

Originally Posted by Donut

California and Minnesota both present a stronger case for Districts now IMO, and I don't believe either one is making the transition next year.

Minnesota only looks like a good candidate for districts superficially-- in reality, we quite simply don't have the volunteers needed to run a district system. Relative to some of the more established areas, right now we have ~180 teams, 103 of which were founded in the last three years or so. While we certainly have the density (and distribution) for a district model, I would be surprised to see a Minnesota Districts model in the next two or three years. The program simply needs to mature here before a district system is feasible.

That's my understanding of the situation, at least, gleaned from talking with Mark Lawrence and some head mentors in our area.