RE-SENT: Tuesday Newsday - July 27 2021
Vince Frascella
NO CHANGE TO CONTENT – INDENTS CORRECTED TO IMPROVE READBILITY.
Greetings Newsletter Subscribers and FTCNJ Coaches
As described last week, we are now broadcasting Tuesday using a Google Group. .
The newsletter’s Google Group is for FTCNJ information issuance only with the member list set to ‘private’ to protect your privacy.
You can opt-out at any time.
Quick Links: Team Status
Here is an update on our “Freight Frenzy” Season. Newer information is shown on blue text.
TEAM STATUS
Registration Status
Currently, 132 teams have either registered their team with FIRST or have advised FTCNJ that they are definitely planning to re-register. Up from 125 teams last week.
We are considering Outreach Scrimmages on the weekend of Sept 11th and/or Sept 25th. If your team has prospects or if YOU are a prospect and interested, please let us know.
League/Conference Assignments
Here again are the current League and Conference assignment by count. Current team count and current projection have been added.
North East Edge League (39 Registered or planning to Registered … 48 Teams w/current projections included.)
Bergen Conference: All Bergen County
North East Conference: Hudson, Union Counties
Northern League (28 Registered or planning to Registered … 38 Teams w/current projections included.)
South Essex Conference: Essex County cities of Orange, East Orange, Glen Ridge, Newark, Maplewood, Millburn
Far North Conference: Passaic, Sussex, Warren Counties, and Essex County cities of Nutley, Montclair, Caldwell, Livingston, West Orange
Central West League (34 Registered or planning to Registered … 43 Teams w/current projections included.)
Western Conference: Hunterdon, Morris Counties
Central Conference: Mercer, Somerset Counties
Southern League (31 Registered or planning to Registered … 42 Teams w/current projections included.)
Upper South Conference: Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean Counties
Deep South Conference: Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Gloucester, Cumberland, Salem Counties
COACH COMMUNICATIONS
Coach Survey
Thanks very much to all of the Coaches who have responded to the June 20th survey. It is helping us to compile the new season information and solidify the plans.
To date, we have heard back from 121 teams (up from 116 teams). Receiving a response is critical to season planning and league formation plans.
Knowing that the survey was sent to our 200 past teams, there are still many who have responded, even just to answer question #1. Re-registering? (YES, NO, UNSURE)
If you are one of the coaches who has yet to respond PLEASE do so soon. https://forms.gle/Zd9V84WpzP3kjFT59
Coach Caucus
We thank all Coaches who attended the July 16th Caucus and we have sent the recording to those requesting it.
Thanks again to Pam H, Dave D, and Kathy R for leading discussions on “Training Tips”, “Member/Mentor Recruitment”, and “Outreach Plans”.
The next Coaches Caucus is August 6th ; we are returning to the first-Friday of the month timing.
Here’s the link for the next Coaches Caucus. (Coaches only, please) https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUuf-6qrDgvHNHb1pf_wGRhOBgfehu8FDq0
New Coach Caucus
On July 26th, rookie team coaches and prospective coaches (currently in the registration process) were invited to a New Coach Caucus.
Committee members and experienced coaches, Bala K and Narmada K, provided some great information to those in attendance. (Sorry no recording.)
There was insufficient time to get through all of the material. A follow-up session is tentatively set for the following Monday, August 2nd.
First time coaches, whether on a rookie or veteran team, are welcome to join us. Session timing may be adjusted based on response.
Here’s the link for those new coaches who are interested. https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAldeisrjwjHtX2FRQDPZX6uC0rzt3fq_nj
COMPETITION NEWS
Per usual, coaches may select/register for their competitions on the Monday following Kick-Off in September using a system to be posted on the FTCNJ Website.
We are doing our best to confirm as many dates and venues as possible, as soon as possible, to help coaches with their planning.
It is understood that all competitions are presently planned to be in-person events, but subject to change if pandemic conditions make it necessary.
We’ll keep everyone posted of any change, and all events will have a re-confirmation date 2 weeks prior to the event date.
State Championship – Sunday, March 6th
As reported last week, the FTC New Jersey State Championship will be held at Morris Knolls High School, one week after our final League Tournament.
This is in keeping with FIRST’s request that all regions/states to complete their Championships by March 6th, a little earlier this year.
The upside of this change is more time for our advancing teams to prepare and to make their Detroit traveling plans.
FIRST has announced that the World Championship will be held in Detroit: April 27 - April 30, 2022
League Tournament Plans
All League Tournaments will take place in February and all fully registered teams are automatically invited to their League/Conference tournament.
Here are the latest plans. Locations shown, where confirmed.
Feb 5th...........Southern League / Upper South Conference……………….Timothy Christian School, Piscataway, NJ
Feb 6th…………Northeast Edge League / Northeast Conference………….Bayonne High School, Bayonne, NJ
Feb 12th………..Northern League / Southern Essex Conference……………Pending Host Confirmation
Feb 13th………..Central West League/ Central Conference………………….Pending Host Confirmation
Feb 19th………..Central West League/Western Conference…………………Pending Host Confirmation
Feb 20th………..Northern League / Far North Conference…………………...Livingston High School, Livingston, NJ
Feb 26th………..Northeast Edge League / Berge Conference………………..Pending Host Confirmation
Feb 27th………..Southern League/ Deep South Conference…………………Pending Host Confirmation
8 League Meets – in January
There will be two Meet opportunities for each League in January. Teams have a choice of a Saturday Meet (underlined) or Sunday Meet.
It is also intended that four of our January Meets (one in each League) will include “Practice Judging”, as a tune up for February’s official judging at League Tournaments
Jan 8th………..Northern League / Either Conference……………………………Pending Host Confirmation
Jan 9th………..Central West League / Either Conference…………………….Pending Host Confirmation (Somerset County)
Jan 15th.……...Northeast Edge League / Either Conference…………………Pending Host Confirmation
Jan 16th……….Southern League / Either Conference…………………………..Egg Harbor Twp PAL, Egg Harbor Township, NJ
Jan 22nd……….Central West League/ Either Conference………………………Chatham High School, Chatham, NJ
Jan 23rd……....Northern League / Either Conference…………………………..Pending Host Confirmation
Jan 29th……….Southern League / Either Conference…………………………..RW Johnson Barnabas Health Arena, Toms River, NJ
Jan 30th……….Northeast Edge League / Either Conference………………….Emerson High School, Emerson, NJ
8 League Meets – in November / December
There will be two normal Meet opportunities in each League in the period of Nov 20 – Dec 19. Teams have a choice of a Saturday or Sunday Meet.
All eight venues have been solicited. Awaiting (hopefully) host confirmation.
Nov 20th………..Northeast Edge League / Either Conference………………….Pending Host Confirmation
Nov 21st………..Central West League/ Either Conference……………………..Pending Host Confirmation
Dec 4th ………..Northern League / Either Conference……………………………Pending Host Confirmation
Dec 5th ………..Southern League / Either Conference……………………….….Pending Host Confirmation
Dec 11th………..Central West League/ Either Conference………………………Pending Host Confirmation
Dec 12th………..Northeast Edge League / Either Conference…………….…..Pending Host Confirmation
Dec 18th………..Southern League / Either Conference……………………………Pending Host Confirmation
Dec 19th………..Northern League / Either Conference…………………………..Pending Host Confirmation
4 Special Meets – Halloween & Thanksgiving Weekend
FTC NJ is continuing the tradition of offering each League one more special Meet opportunity. Many teams have taken advantage of this in past years.
The spooky Halloween Meets are always extra fun for those ready for the first competitions of the season. (October 30th / 31st)
The long four-day Thanksgiving weekend provides an opportunity for an additional official Meet on Saturday or Sunday.
PRE-SEASON NEWS
Practice Days & Post-Reveal Workshops
The FTCNJ tradition of October Practice Days will continue. Two – three are planned. Teams can bring non-functional robots for tinkering and help.
Training sessions will be planned at the Practice Days ..but expanded over past years. Sign-up details to be provided in subsequent newsletter.
Our goal is to provide our August-quality workshops to those teams that did not form until Sept/October.
Oct 10th………..Northern NJ Teams (prioritized, others possible)…………….Pending Host Confirmation (Bergen County)
Oct 16th………..Central NJ Teams (prioritized, others possible)……………….Pending Host Confirmation
Oct 23rd………..Southern NJ Teams (prioritized, others possible)…………….RW Johnson Barnabas Health Arena, Toms River, NJ.
Kick-Off / Game Reveal
FIRST has announced that Game Reveal will take place on Saturday, September 18th.
In New Jersey, the Kick-Off event will be Remote and Livestreamed, similar to last year.
We have reasoned that holding the two 250-300 person events in September could make schools, parents, teams anxious at this time.
The In-Person Kick-Off events should return in September of 2022.
Workshops
Our Planning Committee is working on formulation of the workshops and we should be announcing details within 1-2 weeks.
We’ve learned that some sessions can be held very effectively in Remote … allowing more attendees, convenience, and cleared communication.
And so, this year’s workshops will be a blend of In-Person and Remote. Those topics benefiting from hands-on activity will be in-person.
Details on offerings, headcount limit and sign-up guidelines to be sent to coaches before next Newsletter.
Aug 21st………..Northern NJ Teams (prioritized, others possible)………………Kean University, Union, NJ.
Aug 28th………..Southern NJ Teams (prioritized, others possible)……………..Pending Host Confirmation
Hopefully, this Communique has provided a lot of good information regarding the coming season. (New in blue!)
Our next newsletter will be on August 3rd
Thanks again for the interest in FIRST Tech Challenge New Jersey.
Looking forward to seeing everyone soon.
More to come.
Thanks much, Vince Frascella
FIRST Tech Challenge New Jersey