FIRST California 2021 FRC Update

[Aaron691]

Email received from Senior Regional Director of California. Sent to coach 1 and 2 in your teams FIRST Dashboard.

Dear FIRST California Family -

By now, you’ve probably had a chance to review the update FIRST released last week highlighting the changes being made for the upcoming 2021 FIRST Robotics Competition Season.

FIRST has added 3 exciting new remote engagement opportunities, for the 2021 FRC season, to ensure everyone has a chance to participate and to keep the momentum of the FIRST experience going through continued innovation, teamwork, skills building and FUN!

To address the uncertainties and range of restrictions brought on by COVID-19, FIRST has made the tough decision to open the FIRST Robotics Competition registration, the week of October 5th, built around a season experience that does not include in-person competitions. The 2021 registration fee will be reduced to $2,000 for veteran teams and $3,000 for rookie teams.

In January FIRST will re-evaluate the possibility of in-person competitions should conditions change. At that time, only teams that have registered for the 2021 season will be qualified to compete at an in-person event, should they happen, and there would be an additional fee for an in-person event.

To help you plan , FIRST California leadership wants to give our teams additional insight into how we are staying hopeful, flexible and vigilant to be prepared for in-person events in California should conditions permit. The FIRST California leadership team and California Regional Planning Committees are continuing to meet and develop plans that would enable us to offer safe and responsible in-person competitions should conditions change, we have the green light from FIRST , and state and local guidelines permit it. Plans for these potential events follow the one-day event model (to include fewer teams, participants and volunteers) with social distancing and safety protocols in place to meet county/state guidelines.

So, what does this all mean for you and your team today?

We encourage you to:

1. Register your team beginning the week of Oct. 5th
2. Participate in one or more of the 3 new remote challenges offered
3. Take advantage of a greatly reduced registration fee that provides you with a kit-of-parts (refresh for veterans, and traditional kit for rookies)
4. Apply for funding opportunities and/or apply your $1000 credit from last season (if your team received one) to offset this season’s registration fee
5. Access FIRST scholarships
6. Make the most of this season!

“I’ve said since the beginning that FIRST isn’t about the robots. It’s not about the competitions. It’s about the community and the inspiration that comes from collaboration, creative problem solving, and innovation .” - Dean Kamen

Now is the time when the rubber meets the road (or carpet) and we get to see first-hand what Dean has been preaching all along. It is SO MUCH MORE than robots!

We know how passionate, brilliant, resilient and creative our FIRST California family is. Over the past 6 months, we’ve seen you rise to the challenge and come together in these times of adversity - helping each other and your community. Doing the hard work. We are now excited to see the growth, innovation and solutions that lie ahead for all of us in the 2021 season - and beyond!

This season will look different - there’s no doubt. And we are excited to see the role you play in shaping the future of FIRST !

We’ll be sure to keep you informed as updates become available. Please know we are here to support you, so don’t hesitate to reach out to your local Regional Director with any questions, concerns or suggestions.

Sincerely,

David Berggren
Senior Regional Director - California, FIRST

[Andrew_L]

Love the fact that while they’re not ignoring the possibility of smaller events if things improve, FIRST California leadership isn’t pushing everyone to expect in-person events and to instead make the most of an online, socially-distanced season. I’m thankful that we have such knowledgeable and considerate leadership in our area who care about the teams. I will take a proper COVID response over getting a district any day (though districts would be nice).

[Zook]

You said the “D” word in a California FRC thread… we’ve already got enough wildfire problems in reality. Don’t need fire here, too!

[jaredhk]

D is for distanced.

[Richard_Wallace]

@Andrew_L

(though districts would be nice)

@Zook

You said the “D” word in a California FRC thread… we’ve already got enough wildfire problems

@jaredhk

D is for distanced

Porque no los dos?

I mean if/when we have 2021 district competitions in Michigan, they will definitely be distanced.

[Andrew_L]

The “districts / d-word” joke here is that California hasn’t moved to districts yet, not a comment on other districts specifically. I’m implying that as a largely vocal proponent of districts in California, I would rather have proper social distancing over something I’ve really wanted, such as districts.

[AriMB]

The irony is that any distanced in-person competitions would almost certainly take the form of multiple smaller, shorter competitions instead of traditional 60 team, 4 day regionals, which is basically just districts without the ranking system

[Andrew_L]

Unironically, I have my doubts about in-person events being safe before late summer / fall 2021.

[AriMB]

You’ll find no arguments on that here. But if you’re looking for silver linings then this would be a good way for Cali (or any region) to dip their toes into districts

[Zook]

For 2021 we’re going to be introducing the Sites model. Teams will compete in events pulling from all classrooms/buildings within their school/work Site.