Hi Coaches!
UNEARTHED
- Swinburne Regional 1 – Wednesday 12 November 2025
- Swinburne Regional 2 – Thursday 13 November 2025
🎉🎉🎉 Read on for some key details about the event.
Event Schedule
Team check-in commences at 8.15am and the event is scheduled to conclude no later than 2.30pm. This is a large event with 20 teams attending, so please send a coach to the check-in desk immediately on arrival. There is a mandatory coaches’ meeting at 8.50am and the opening ceremony is scheduled for 9.10am . An event schedule is attached to this email.
Please note that individual team schedules, including judging and match times, are provided on the day of the event.
The Venue
We are thrilled to be hosting at KIOSC – Swinburne University (Wantirna Campus) for this year’s events! Please see attached a venue maps and FREE parking information.
For lunch, teams can BYO, however there is a University Canteen walking distance. We do prefer that teams don’t go, especially young teams. They might miss the robot game or judging session, but it is up to you as coaches. Food can be consumed within the building or outside, please use the bins provided as part of gracious professionalism. 👏👏🙌(woo!).
Consent Forms
All students and coaches must submit a completed hard-copy FIRST Australia Consent and Release form. Student forms must be signed by a parent/guardian. Please hand these forms in to the check-in desk upon arrival. Teams who do not submit consent forms will forfeit their place in the event.
Pit Areas
Your team will be allocated a dedicated space (including a small table) in the pit area to set up equipment and store belongings. There will be limited access to powerpoints for charging robots and devices.
You can bring along banners and other displays to make your space look exciting. The pit area is where teams will be “hanging out” throughout the day, so think about how your team wants to show off their project and robot in the pit area! Some teams will also bring along small tokens to give away (but this is not a requirement).
Matches and Practice Matches
On the day, teams will compete in three official scored matches. Teams are permitted to bring one robot to the match and must start programs using controls on the brick (i.e. the robot cannot be run using an iPad or other device).
There are no scheduled practice matches but two practice tables are available to teams throughout the day. Only dual-locked game elements are provided – teams are asked to supply any removable pieces that they require. Make sure to bring the iPad or device used to program the robot, so your team can make improvements throughout the day.
Please note that teams are not permitted to set up their own game mats or tables at this venue.
Judging
Teams have one scheduled judging session where they will present their Innovation Project, Robot Design and Core Values. Make sure your team is familiar with the judging session flowchart, available here: Judging Session Flowchart
Judging sessions run for 30 minutes and cannot be rescheduled, so please ensure your team is prepared and on time. Bring your Innovation Project props, the robot, and the programming device or code printouts.
All students should participate in the judging session. In addition, two coaches or other adults may spectate the session.
Spectators
The Swinburne Events are public events; however space is limited so please don’t invite everyone!! Spectators can visit the robot game area and attend the closing ceremony.🤩
Volunteers
Events like this can’t happen without volunteers! We still need to fill many roles, including judges, referees, queuers, field reset and more. If you have parents, teachers or friends available and willing, please send them our way! No experience is required. Volunteers can sign up here, or feel free to put them in touch with me directly by email.
Download poster
Gracious Professionalism
Our goal is to provide a fun, positive and rewarding experience for everyone attending this event. To help us achieve this, please ensure your whole team understands the importance of demonstrating Gracious Professionalism 👏👏 throughout the day.
- Students do the work! Coaches, we know it’s tempting to take over when something goes wrong, but it’s important that the students learn to solve problems themselves. So please stay hands off the robot in the pits! Also, no prompting students during judging sessions 😊
- Compete hard but be kind and respectful! Competitions are the most fun when everyone is performing at their best, so cheer when other teams do something awesome and stay positive even if a match doesn’t go your way.
- Volunteers want you to be safe and have an amazing time! Please listen carefully to the announcements and cooperate with all instructions.
Special Considerations and Accommodations
If you have any team members who may require special consideration on the day, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me directly. We can work together with the head referee and judge advisor to ensure a positive experience for everyone.
Venue Event Risk Assessment
I hope you have had a great season so far and that your team is getting excited for this event! Please keep an eye out for more emails from me as the event approaches. I am here to help you - so if you have any questions in the meantime, just get in touch via email.
3-2-1 LEGO!!!