NSW Public School Robotics to FIRST Tech Challenge NL
Donation protected
From underdogs to ambassadors – Help high school robotics team represent Australia
A NSW public high school robotics squad, known as Crobotics, has made history as the only public high school team in Australia to qualify for the inaugural FIRST® Tech Challenge European Premier Event in Eindhoven, Netherlands, from July 1–5, 2025. Now, we urgently need your support as the team leave end of June.
About the team
Three years ago, Crobotics placed dead last, 41st out of 41. They were sharing a single Control Hub (the robot’s brain) between two teams, scrambling to unscrew and rewire it between matches. It led to mistakes, misfires, and moments where the robot didn’t even move, but also laughter, resilience, and hard-won lessons that helped them learn, rebuild, and come back the next year more determined than ever.
Since then, this tight-knit group of ten students from a public high school in Crows Nest has done what no one expected. They’ve returned stronger each year, winning regionals, collecting major awards, and climbing to 4th in the country; the highest ever for a public school. No big budgets. No fancy gear. Just passion, persistence, and teamwork.
About the Event
Hosted by Stichting STEAMup, the FIRST® Tech Challenge European Premier Event will welcome 96 teams from over 52 countries. Over five days at the Indoor Sportcentrum Eindhoven, participants will:
- Engage in adrenaline-pumping robotics matches that test design ingenuity, strategy, and cooperation.
- Attend workshops and panels on the latest STEAM innovations.
- Forge friendships across cultures in an environment celebrating global collaboration and fun.
It will cost nearly $80,000 to get all ten students, their teachers, and the robot to the Netherlands. We’ve already raised $20,000 thanks to Northbridge Rotary and the School P&C, now we’re seeking support to help bring this extraordinary opportunity to life.
To cover these expenses, we’re seeking to raise AUD $40,000—ensuring our team can focus on building and competing, not budgeting.
How You Can Make an Impact:
Any amount you can contribute will make a difference. Every dollar goes directly to the team.
- $50 for 1 team t-shirt
- $200 for one night’s accommodation
- $500 for team bus transport
- $1,500 for a one-way airfare
Stay Connected
By donating, you’ll receive:
• Exclusive updates with photos and videos from Eindhoven.
• Behind-the-scenes insights into our design and strategy process.
Join us in celebrating the spirit of STEAM education and global teamwork. Your support empowers public-school students to compete, learn, and inspire—and proves that great ideas can come from every corner of our community.
Donate now and fuel the future of public-school robotics!
Organizer
Michael Richardson
Organizer
St Leonards, NSW