International Team Troubles

[Jacqui Sutton]

I have just recently noticed that again, this year, the international teams seem to be struggling to get their hands on all the necessary materials for competition - the accessability of which most teams in the U.S.A probably take for granted. Last year was my first year involved with FIRST, and the brittish team was unable to get the bins used in competition, because they had no walmart. I dont know if the teams from brazil were able to or not? We never saw a cry out for help - but that doesnt necessarily mean that they were able to access them, it's possible that they might have just done the best they could without them... this year the teams from brazil can't get the balls used for competition - and I'm assuming that the britts probably cant either? Unfortunately I'm not online as much as I'd like to be, and so i havent been able to speak much with my team members from last year, but I must say - I was so proud when I saw that 388 is offering a hand to these teams again, when they're struggling to get the financial resources just to look after their own team, let along teams in other countries.. - Justin, Leigh, wherever you guys are - tell 388 im proud :-)

Anyway, that's off my point... My point is, has anyone made FIRST aware of the difficulty that the international teams have each year in attaining the saim equiptment that is made available to all US teams? Is it possible that FIRST is unaware of their struggles, or are they just unable to do anything about it? The people at FIRST seem capable of achieving anything that they work for - so I dont see why this would be an impossible task... so what do we need to do to get something done about it? The international teams have extra challenges already - transport, no other teams close by to mentor them, shipping... it is all a lot more involved and expensive than it is within the states. I'm more than willing to draft up a document to send to FIRST - however they must get so much stuff coming in, i have a fear it would get lost in translation - but I'd be willing to give it a try anyway, unless anyone has any better ideas...?