The Sato Drone Soccer Team (SDST) formed in 2022, at Sato Academy of Math & Science in Long Beach, CA, under the direction of engineering teacher, Albert Gallo.

Drone soccer is an esport that is played in a netted arena using quadcopter drones with protective exoskeletons battling to score. Two five-player teams (1 Striker, 3 Defenders, 1 Goalie) face-off as each team blocks the opposing team’s Striker to prevent them from scoring goals. Matches are 3 sets and each set is 3 minutes long. The winner is best of 3 sets. The matches are fast-paced and aggressive!

Drone Soccer allows students to apply the STEM skills they learn in class towards building, flying, programming and repairing the drones.

What started with a few players has quickly grown to a team of 18 (and more students want to join!) Our 18 players create 3 teams of 6 (5 players plus 1 sub). Equity is a big focus for our program and we also recognize that females are underrepresented in STEM. We are proud to state that 50% of each team is comprised of females.

Sato is proud to be the first high school in California to play drone soccer competitively. The teams have had the opportunity to travel domestically, as well as internationally. And with every competition they have entered, Sato has taken 1st place!

Many members of our team had first-time experiences during these tournaments. Their first time... leaving California, flying on an airplane, kayaking, leaving the country, and being away from their families. And all our members had invaluable experiences of team building, problem solving, emotional pressures, disappointment, and success.

In addition, the teams will be competing in a pair of tournaments coming up in Virginia, the U.S. Drone Soccer National Championship (4/27) and the 2024 FAI F9A Drone Soccer World Cup (4/28), as well as the Academic Drone Soccer World Cup coming up in San Diego (4/23-4/25).

Since launching the program with a starter package (at a cost of about $13,000), Sato has acquired 24 additional drones and has replaced 126 batteries, hundreds of broken props, and several controllers. They fix as many drones as possible, but the maintenance costs are substantial and the program is always looking for sponsors.

Donations will be used for travel expenses (air/transportation, hotel, food) for the tournaments and for the unending need for drone supplies to repair broken parts and old materials.

Thank you for your support in providing our students with amazing life experiences.