**FIRST EMAIL**/FIRST Adds District Event Model Alternative to FRC Program

[dtengineering]

I do like the fact that regions that choose to opt in to the new model will have the ability to do so taking regional factors in to account.

I purposely use the term region, rather than state, because as has been pointed out a state's boundaries sometimes don't make for the best geographic options for FIRST teams.

For instance, here in BC (just a few teams), it is much more cost-effective to compete with the teams in the Pacific Northwest than it is to compete with other Canadian teams. (As much as we love the GTR, it is a five hour flight away, as opposed to a three hour drive to the also incredibly awesome MS Seattle Regional.)

I hope it works well for regions that choose to implement the new model, it sounds like it has been great for most teams in Michigan.

Jason