Game Kit Photo Released

If you have an RSS feed to this blog the title of this post may have sparked some interest. It is a photo of the kit to build the game, as delivered to the FIRST loading dock, but probably not as detailed as you'd like.

This year's game can be built with materials sourced 90% from Home Depot. You'll need a couple things from either Lowes or Walmart, and a couple more "special" elements too - but the point is Partners and Teams can build all or a part of the game on their own.

The pictured pallet was delivered by our local Home Depot and contained just about all we needed to build "Field 1" here at FIRST.



Promised Affiliate Partner meeting photo - I promised a photo of the AP training - here it is. Hard to capture the energy and excitement that surrounded the 3 days of talks, best practices, and training. Suffice it to say we have a tremendous group of folks that made the event energizing and a lot of fun.

Partners

Next time you talk to the Affiliate Partner in your region please thank him or her. They truly are a unique group of folks. They make is possible for teams to compete and they spent a ton of time and energy to make that happen.

Last Thursday, Friday, and Saturday we hosted about 60 Partners here at FIRST to gear up for the 2009/2010 season. Meetings included updates on the software, hardware, and design tools. Best practices in holding events, growing teams, and fund raising were part of the three day event.

We also gave them a sneak-peak of this year's FTC game - the response we got was just what we were hoping for. I think FTC Nation will really be happy with what the Game Design Committee came up with this year.

For those of you who already registered with FIRST and placed orders with PITSCO - those shipments should start this week. Until then keep an eye out for game clues.

Game Time Decisions

Robotics are the best sport going as far as I'm concerned. That said I am a fan of most sports. Learning how to play hard, work as a team, and focus on a goal are great by-products of most teams.

When I was growing up I remember the 85' Bears and William Perry... and Herschel Walker (not of the Bears), both whose careers were cut short due to injury. Wonder what they're doing now... but I digress.

In any case you won't get hurt in FTC and your career can span a lifetime, make a difference in the world, and be financially rewarding. In Woody's words "that's good stuff."

As I mentioned before, our Partner training kicks off tomorrow and we're hard at work getting the final details pulled together. I'll update you on how things are going but until then keep an eye out.

Welcome Back

The blog took another summer vacation this year however FTC Nation has been hard at work. Game design, kit improvements, and adding new FTC events have kept us moving. Also - we'll be rolling out an improved field control system that will put more power in teams' hands.

If you didn't know, the term "Affiliate Partner" (AP) refers to those wonderful, crazy, and sometimes stressed out folks who run FTC tournaments around North America and soon all over the world. We're hosting about 60 of these folks here in Manchester later this week. Topics are the new game, season, and sharing best practices to make sure this season is even better than last year. If you get a chance talk to you local AP. First thank them, then ask them how you can help, get started, or anything else. I'll try to post some pix of the meeting on the blog.

Some of you might know that the new game will be released September 12th, at 5:00pm Eastern time. We'll film a new kickoff video and release it at that time. Until then we'll give you a few hints.