International FIRST

[Jacqui Sutton]

I don't know if this is the right forum to place this in, I'm just looking for the place where i can get maximum input on this topic, and i guess if it's in the wrong place someone will move it... anyway!

This is my first year involved in FIRST, and as I'm a senior in high school it could well be my last too. I really knew nothing about it until this weekend when I went with a few other team members to richmond for the kickoff and ever since then this program has swept me off my feet - pretty remarkable considering that I've never really held much interest in robots before and this is not something I would have ever imagined myself doing..
I'm originally from Australia, and I'm going back there this year after I graduate. Though FIRST is an "international" thing, Australia doesnt have a team and I was thinking I'd like to help change that. My uncle is an engineer back in Australia, and I used to attend a private school there that would definately have students with the funds to travel overseas for competition, and if we could just get a corporate sponsor and some teachers/engineers/mentors on board, I'd love to start a team back there... what I'm looking for is anyone who has started a team before, any advice, input, anything...somehow, someone started a team in england..why not? But.. is it even possible for a 17 year old student who's only a rookie at this anyway to accomplish this, especially in another country...
It's something I would love to do.. Anyone have any thoughts on this?