These are all good points. If a system like this were to be implemented, events would definitely need to be allowed to set a limit on how many teams from outside the host event’s region (or all regions, but definitely at least the host’s region) could sign up for the event, whether for the entirety of the registration period or just before a certain date.
If they existed, multi-region local events would probably mainly be used in locations that have difficulty getting an event to fill up on its own, or in cases where two likely-equally-matched regions (or a strong region trying to help out a nearby region with less experience) want to play together while both being able to qualify for their own regional championships.
Another idea (which might require additional functionality to be added to Robot Events, or manual invitations by EP’s) would be to limit registrations based on smaller sections of the region, such as a few counties on each side of the border that are further away from most of the events in their own regions.
Figured I’d add on since I have a fair amount of experience in such matters. I am currently at the University of Kansas, which is about 30 minutes west Kansas City and thus the Missouri Kansas border. For those unaware a majority of Kansas City is actually in Missouri.
As a result of this, last year, the event I hosted was roughly 60% Kansas teams and 40% out of state teams. This year, the event is full and currently sitting at exactly 50% Kansas teams, 50% out of state teams. Missouri and Kansas as regions are of roughly similar skill level and it does seem a bit unfair for those teams to be unable to qualify for their state event. To make matters event worse, the Middle School excellence award was given to a Missouri Middle School team. As a result, the Middle School excellence state spot ended up going to a High School Kansas team.
Not sure what exactly the solution is. I have definitely seen Kansas teams travel down to the historically less competitive Oklahoma to award farm; however, making state in Kansas has never been a problem for competent teams. Easiest solution would probably be to assign spots to the a regions State Championship to a tournament in another region if 16+ teams or +50% from the other region are in attendance.
You might want to revisit the qualifying criteria document this year. I believe the spot goes to the next eligible team in the event’s skills list at that grade level. If there were no middle school teams from the region on the skills list then the MS Excellence spot is lost and not awarded to a High School team. Check with your RECF RSM to verify.
I brought this up in a forum post a few years ago when I first noticed this:
And regardless of what the Qualifying criteria says, RECF has been handing out middle school spots to high school teams at blended events for at least the past 2 years.
yup looking at this more closely, seems like RECF is moving away from blended events and keeping grade level spots for those grades. I suspect a good conversation for next EP summit if not addressed at Town Hall meeting.
I am an EP for a low budget / small V5RC program that relies on the EP 50% discount for one set of game elements. Unfortunately, the approval for that discount comes (from RECF) after the school year has started. I cannot make my purchase until the discount arrives without impacting my budget – spending $600 on something I know I can get for $300 if I wait. This means my teams are at a minimum delayed in working on a field, and at worst (as has happened this year) deprived a field an indeterminate amount of time while Vex gets its stock in order. TBH, I have low confidence in getting the order before my early December tournament, given Vex Robotics’ track record.
Can anything be done on the RECF end to help EPs get the game element discount earlier – ideally immediately after the game elements go on sale?
I’m Glen from 7862H, when will game kits be back in stock? My organization is looking to hold an event this October, but is unable to due to not having enough arenas. Seeing as the goal date is soon, knowing when arenas are coming back in stock is necessary to select a date.
I feel this needs to be strongly looked at going forward for any games that have humans interacting directly with game elements… I do not want to see this at every competition but definitely the ones that can send you to Worlds.
