FIRST Robotics Season Kickoff Video Release for REBUILT was on Saturday, January 10th, 2026.Our Rotary Club sponsors two local teams, and we proudly visited and presented Big Cheques to both of them before the Game Video Started.
There are many local robotics teams and events in the 7090 and beyond and we encourage all rotary clubs to search and engage and support them.
Our relationship with both teams has grown so that we volunteer for each other’s events and fundraisers. Our last few RYLA and RYLA jr. participants came through our relationships with these local robotic teams.
As part of Rotary International's "Youth Services" initiatives, we are honoured to support both teams in this year's challenge, with $3000 each for the season.
Orchard Park Robotics - Team 2056 and Bishop Ryan Robotics - Celt-X5406 have both attended the FIRST FRC World Championship for many years and are considered two of the best teams in the world.
We will be posting updates from the team and links to the local and international competitions and events that they will be attending.
Plan on being at McMaster University to interact and cheer on both teams March 20-22, 2026.
FIRST Robotics started in 1992 and shares a lot of common goals and values with those of Rotary International.
FIRST inspires young people to be science and technology leaders and innovators by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, engineering, and technology skills, which inspire innovation, and that foster well-rounded life capabilities, including self-confidence, communication, and leadership.
A Global non-profit organization that is made up of local self-funded teams that use a competition to engage with youth in learning many different aspects of an organization.
The Pillars of FIRST are very much like the Rotary Four-Way Test.
Gracious Professionalism, on and off the field, FIRST instills conduct that models the best values of professional respect and courtesy.
“COOPertition” is the teaching that to succeed, teams must be able to cooperate and compete with other teams. This is an important real-world skill.
Respect for Diversity, Inclusion and Volunteerism from Mentors to event organizers and field personnel, FIRST is all about engaging all and respecting the uniqueness of the people who volunteer their time and knowledge in the goal of inspiring youth to learn and grow as humans. FIRST is not a replacement for academic training/learning but a vehicle to inspire youth in a remarkable range of hands-on, creative, and analytical skills, as well as the development of valuable social intelligence skills that are so needed in today's adult world.
Indirect Learning, which allows students to experience team management, accounting, social media, robot design, construction, coding, match scouting, and analysis. Youth learn real-world skills that assist them in life and whatever career they choose. FIRST coined the phrase ‘Robots building Students.’
FIRST is not a part of the school curriculum and budget. The annual operating cost of these two robotics teams is around $85000 each. Both teams fundraise a good piece of the budget, with sponsorships and events along with the help of family and friends.
There are three different levels to FIRST Robotics.
FIRST Lego League for youth with three levels from Kindergarten to Grade 8, has 650,000 students in 77 countries.
FIRST Tech Challenge for youth from Grade 7 to Grade 12, has 109,000 students in 81 countries.
FIRST Robotics Competition for youth Grade 9 to Grade 12, has 93,000 students in 35 countries.
VIDEO Link to this year’s game https://youtu.be/_fybREErgyM
Paul Crossman
905-512-2451