Inspired Youth, Inspire You: The FIRST Student Point Of View
February 14, 2023
TL/DR: The MySite shipping fees are changing this year to be variable based on what items the team is receiving in their Kickoff Kit. (And the new radio is in the Season Specific Box.)
The Kickoff Kit has evolved over the last few seasons to offer teams greater flexibility in what they receive. Beginning with the 2023 season, veteran teams could choose to receive Vouchers to AndyMark and REV Robotics instead of the Black Tote. (Teams have been able to opt out of the Drive Base for a number of years.) Last season, 1,277 teams opted out of the Black Tote and 1,616 teams opted out of the Drive Base.
Teams have also had the option of receiving their Kickoff Kit at a Local Kickoff for no fee or paying a MySite shipping fee and having the Kickoff Kit shipped directly to them. In 2024, 263 teams chose the MySite shipping option. There were two shipping fees based on if the Kickoff Kit shipped via ground or air.
Beginning this season, the MySite fee will be based on shipping method and what the team is receiving. That means that the shipping fee for a team receiving only the Season Specific box will be lower than that of a team receiving the Black Tote, Gray Tote, and/or Drive Base kit. In total, there are 10 shipping fee options, which are posted on the Kickoff webpage.
This change was made to help bring equity to teams who choose the MySite shipping option. As a reminder, the option to opt-out of the Black Tote and Drive Base closes on September 24 at 12:00 p.m. ET but teams can make those choices now. The new VH-109 radios will be in the Season Specific Box for all teams to receive. Teams can begin selecting where they want to receive their Kickoff Kit beginning September 26 at 12:00 p.m. ET (this is the same time that initial event preferencing opens). If you have any questions, or need help with the selections, please contact FIRST® Customer Support.