GTA Regionals

The Red Devils competed in their second tournament of the year at the Hershey Centre in Mississauga on March 26,27 and 28. The team was enthusiastic to prepare and modify the robot for the World Championships in Atlanta. We also looked forward to competing in one of the most prestigious and competitive tournaments in FIRST.

The team took the Thursday practice rounds to complete mechanical and technical upgrades, resolve issues and replace worn out parts. The round-robin started on Friday, and the team performed well, competing in a field of over 55 robots. The round-robins proceeded through to lunch on Saturday, and Oakville Trafalgar finished with a rank of 6th. This qualified our team for the playoff round, and as a top 8 team we were able to draft teams to our alliance. We chose teams 1241 (Theory six from Rick Hansen school in Mississauga) and 854 (The Iron Bears from Martingrove Collegiate in Etobicoke) to be our alliance partners for the upcoming elimination matches. In the first round our team was triumphant, and won a hard fought best of 3 series. We then progressed to the semi-finals, where the eventual champions defeated us in a high scoring series.

The team is extremely proud of our results. Our robot performed well, excelling in defence and endurance. The team made many valuable upgrades and modifications to the robot, which we can use in the World Championships in Atlanta. We would like to thank all our team-mates and allies, especially teams 1241 and 854 for their valiant performance with us in the playoffs.

Waterloo Regional Finalists

This past Thursday, Friday and Saturday the Red Devils competed in the 2009 FIRST Waterloo Regional Tournament, hosted by the University of Waterloo. The team utilized their time during Thursday's practice rounds to modify and perfect a competition ready robot prepared to take on any opponent. Friday was a bit of a disappointment, as defects and glitches resulted in poor performance in the round-robins stage of the tournament. However, the team showed poise and determination and was able to fix the robot so that we went undefeated during the final round-robins matches on Friday. Our excellent finish placed us in 12th overall at the end of the round-robins, and we were picked by the 6th place alliance to go into the elimination rounds.

Our alliance of Team 781, Team 2200 and Team 1334 went through the quarterfinals in emphatic fashion, winning our best of three series in two games. The semi-finals were a bit tougher, with a close first match going to our alliance. The second match resumed after a mechanical timeout by the other team, and we lost in another hard fought game. Mechanical problems still dogged the opposition, and our alliance graciously donated our timeout to the other team in the true spirit of FIRST. We emerged victorious at the third match, with a close game that was blown wide open in the final seconds. Our alliance then entered the final match, heavy underdogs against the number one seed of the tournament. Our team fought hard, but was defeated after two games.

As well as our finalist finish, the team was also awarded the Engineering Inspiration Award, one of the most prestigious awards of the tournament. This award also qualified the team for the 2009 FIRST World International Championships in Atlanta, Georgia. This tournament features elite teams from around the world competing against each other for the title of world champion. Our great showing is unsurpassed in our entire history, and the team is ecstatic to go to the World Championships for the first time.

This upcoming Thursday to Saturday the team will be competing in the Greater Toronto Regional at the Hershey Centre in Mississauga. We encourage you to come in a witness a FIRST tournament for yourself, as the Red Devils look to build on their great start.

We'd like to thank Team 781 and Team 2200 for their support as alliance teammates!

Look Below for full match videos courtesy of our friends from Team 781!

-Quarters Match 1 Win 30 - 52
-Quarters Match 2 Win 32 - 49

-Semis Match 1 Win 50 - 68
-Semis Match 2 Loss 52 - 44
-Semis Match 3 Win 69 - 91

-Finals Match 1 Loss 66 - 48
-Finals Match 2 Loss 97 - 54

Post Build Season News

 The Red Devils' robot has been successfully shipped! February 12 saw the robot packed into a crate, on the way to our first competition of the season at the Waterloo Regional. The team worked hard to complete the robot on time, overcoming many technical challenges. Now the Red Devils are busy preparing for the competitions that will begin after March break.

The shipping of the robot does not mean the build process is over, however. The programming and electronics teams continue to develop the robot's programming and driver's control panel. Human players are busy honing their basketball skills in preparation for the game. Team members have also been observing recent competitions, taking note of advantageous techniques and strategies.

The Red Devils are anticipating success at this year's two competitions. We will once again be competing at the Waterloo and Toronto Regionals, with up to 70 other teams. All sponsors are invited to join the team on the following dates to experience FIRST Robotics. Waterloo Regional: March 19-21 at the University of Waterloo, Toronto Regional: March 26-28 at the Hershey Centre in Mississauga.

Anyone interested in more frequent news can receive the team newsletter; a weekly letter that updates parents, mentors and sponsors on the goings on of the team. Interested parties should contact Evelyn at evelyn.robotics@hotmail.com to be added to the sending list.