Nieuwsbrief van het FRA

Voor alle algemene zaken zoals bv het forum...

Moderator: Moderators

Post Reply
User avatar
Babeth
Posts: 3345
Joined: Sat Aug 16, 2003 1:43 pm
Location: Vilvoorde (B)
Contact:

Nieuwsbrief van het FRA

Post by Babeth » Thu Mar 31, 2005 6:53 pm

Deze heb ik vandaag ontvangen en mag ik verder verspreiden:

Newsletter no. 1


Open letter to All Roboteers,
March 2005


Cancellations:-
The FRA governing body are deeply disappointed by the cancellation of events in 2004 & 2005.

With regard to the latest (Robot Rumble at Debenham), we had been in negotiation with Geoff Thorpe over his objection to the attendance of Ed Hoppitt, and at no time had he hinted at any commercial problems that put the event at risk.

We found his explanation circulated via Roaming Robots to be unacceptable and have requested an apology to all concerned. We have also suggested that Mr Thorpe makes efforts to assist our continental members for expenses they have wasted with regard to ferry bookings.


General:-

There may be a misconception of the FRA's role with regard to events and organisers. The FRA cover roughly what the Football Association does for it’s teams - but without a disciplinary role. Our objective is to hold a stable set of Build Rules, Arena/Event Guidelines, and to ensure the Safety & Enjoyment of all involved in our sport. The FRA cannot tell a team manager (Event Organiser in our case) who is playing in their team, or force them to continue in the face of financial loss. Members naturally expect the association to avoid problems on your behalf, and we certainly do a great deal in this area, but the FRA cannot interfere with an EO’s commercial decisions.

It is a fundamental principal that the FRA shall work in harmony with EO’s for the common good of our hobby. We need them as much as they need us. Should you wish the FRA to have more of a say, you should mail your regional chairman with your views. Addresses are on the contact page of www.fightingrobots.co.uk

The cancellation of the Debenham event has far reaching implications to our hobby and the FRA governing body has to plan for our future as roboteers. With us no longer benefiting from the glamour of TV, it is no surprise that this hobby has declined in popularity. It was predicted that the number of teams would decline to a small nucleus throughout Europe, which explains why the FRA have put a lot of effort to international relations resulting in a mutually beneficial plan with UK, Dutch and Belgian roboteers working together.

One scenario for our hobby is that roboteers will have to pay arena owners for a couple of events per year. Fortunately we have not reached that level and the FRA will do its best to avoid it happening in the future

However, it is not all doom and gloom either. There are rumours that the BBC are regretting their decision to kill off Robot WarsTM and may be looking for something similar which would result in a massive new surge of interest. To this end we are looking at new opportunities to use our enthusiasm and machines. Terry Carlin (St Aggro) has come up with a game format called 8-ack which the FRA intend to support and develop, as it may be just what a TV show needs for a new spin on our hobby. For those not aware, 8-ack is a cross between robot fighting and football that is organised in clans.

There are also other initiatives such as an entry level formula (to encourage new blood without the fear of embarrassment or total destruction) and several individuals working with schools and education authorities across the country.



The Future:-

Roboteers need to support events in spite of any financial uncertainty. With this in mind the FRA urge teams to attend as many events as possible, in particular those by Roaming Robots, Extreme Fighting Machines, the Dutch Robot Games and all other FRA sanctioned events.

This year we believe the DRG European Championship will be ‘the big’ competition to attend, of which the winner will be the true 2005 Champion and on an equal par to any previous Robot WarsTM winner.

The FRA are asking questions of this event, with the following known and agreed to date:-
A. It is a three day competition in Amsterdam covering Friday 22nd to Sunday 24th July
B. There will be a Heavyweight entry fee of 75 Euros, with UK fees being held by an individual member of the FRA so that we can ensure it is not lost should the event be cancelled. We will also do the conversion from sterling and pay it over at the beginning of the event.
C. The DRG are arranging a campsite that will be paid by the team directly, by those wishing to take advantage. This will keep us together for social purposes.
D. If commercial problems do arise, we would like the DRG to arrange a back-up event (low budget alternative, which may be part funded by your entry fees?).
E. There will be no financial assistance offered to any teams.
F. Entry will be limited to members of either the DRG or the FRA (both membership cards are an equal passport to each others events and offer you the same PI insurance cover).
G. The DRG need at least 20 UK Heavies and will take a similar number of Feathers.

DRG members have supported our events for some years and we have enjoyed their company, so it is time for FRA members to support them. Please remember that some teams have twice purchased ferry tickets, only to have the events cancelled at the last minute. The FRA will be holding a donation box at Denbigh for you, if you wish, to help towards their lost expenditure. The DRG & FRA will ensure it is shared out appropriately.

With respect to you all, you are the FRA and together we are a very strong group. Your governing body are the back room team who may not have the kudos of an event organiser, but events have improved significantly as a result of the communication and agreement that has gone on within. No event can operate without roboteers and although it may appear (to some) that the FRA does not do a great deal, most EO’s recognise the benefits. It is the fifteen or so roboteers that spend hundreds of pounds a year of their own money to attend FRA meetings on your behalf that have helped keep roboteering the exciting and entertaining sport that we all enjoy so much. Your governing body has been stable this year and it is encouraging to see extra people offering their help to strengthen your association. More details will be announced at the AGM, now scheduled for 3.00pm on 9th April at Denbigh.

Most of your membership money this year is going to pay for our Professional Indemnity insurance. This is complimentary to an event organisers Public Liability insurance, and covers the use of our rules. The event organisers need it as much as the roboteers and governing body. All teams should note that non-member teams are not covered by our PI insurance in any way shape or form. Luckily most teams that participate in events are members, but we cannot contemplate the outcome of a non-member team vs a member team claiming off your FRA PI insurance.

Most event organisers and the FRA itself do not make association membership compulsory to compete in an arena, but it would be very interesting to establish how many EO’s and roboteers wish it should be compulsory - so as to keep an equal ‘legal’ position for all teams who enter an FRA sanctioned event?


Thank you for reading. Please email comment on any of the above to info@fightingrobots.co.uk


Regards,

Geoff Smith Chairman
Andy Kane President
Kevin Scott Secretary
Fighting Robot Association
Willen jullie dat ik dit vertaal ? Laat het me dan weten via een pm en ik begin eraan.
[color=indigo]I think, therefore I'm dangerous.[/color]

http://thehouseofchaos.wordpress.com/

User avatar
Cavecrusher
Posts: 1497
Joined: Mon Sep 01, 2003 5:35 pm
Location: Tilburg

Re: Nieuwsbrief van het FRA

Post by Cavecrusher » Thu Mar 31, 2005 7:00 pm

Babeth wrote:Willen jullie dat ik dit vertaal ? Laat het me dan weten via een pm en ik begin eraan.
ik ga iets te vaak naar engeland om hier problemen mee te hebben.
Babeth wrote:There will be a Heavyweight entry fee of 75 Euros
Al zeker of alleen een indicatie van?

User avatar
MJM
Moderator
Posts: 3069
Joined: Tue Jul 29, 2003 8:43 am
Location: Rijnmond

Post by MJM » Thu Mar 31, 2005 10:49 pm

indicatie

User avatar
Bugs
Site Admin
Posts: 5433718
Joined: Sun Jul 27, 2003 9:13 pm
Location: Delft
Contact:

Post by Bugs » Fri Apr 01, 2005 12:55 pm

Ik vind het erg fijn dat je dit post. Is er een manier voor mij om me hier op te abboneren?

User avatar
Babeth
Posts: 3345
Joined: Sat Aug 16, 2003 1:43 pm
Location: Vilvoorde (B)
Contact:

Post by Babeth » Fri Apr 01, 2005 1:56 pm

Goeie vraag Bugs. Kevin stuurde het naar de mensen die individueel hadden ingeschreven (Mario, Marco en ik, en naar Marien omdat die voorzitter van het DRG is).

Zouden we het niet in de DRG-Nieuwsbrief kunnen gieten ? We mochten het namelijk ook doorgeven aan "roboteers outside of the FRA as well" en ik ben van mening dat een zo breed mogelijke communicatie altijd belangrijk is.
[color=indigo]I think, therefore I'm dangerous.[/color]

http://thehouseofchaos.wordpress.com/

User avatar
MJM
Moderator
Posts: 3069
Joined: Tue Jul 29, 2003 8:43 am
Location: Rijnmond

Post by MJM » Fri Apr 01, 2005 2:21 pm

Nu is Babeth te snel voor mij :-) maar het wordt z.s.m. naar iedere DRG´er toegestuurd. (misschien afhankelijk van donatie en handtekening, maar die beslissing neem ik vanavond)
Tot nu toe zijn er weinig FRA nieuwsbrieven geweest, zoals het volgnummer ook aangeeft.

Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 30 guests