FTC Scrimmage Event Details

Saturday, December 13, 2025

A collaborative learning event hosted by Sci-Bono Discovery Centre in partnership with Eswatini STEM Club

Event Time

8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Check-in opens at 7:30 AM

Location

Sci-Bono Discovery Centre

Newtown, Johannesburg

Team Capacity

15 Teams Total

7 spots available

Event Overview

Welcome to the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre FTC Scrimmage - a collaborative learning event hosted in partnership with Eswatini STEM Club. This scrimmage provides FIRST Tech Challenge teams with a valuable opportunity to practice, refine their robots, and gain competitive experience in a supportive, learning-focused environment.

This is a FREE event designed to prepare teams for upcoming official competitions while fostering collaboration and gracious professionalism within the FTC community.

What is a Scrimmage?

A scrimmage is an unofficial FIRST Tech Challenge event where teams:

Help each other improve their robots
Play practice matches in a competition-like environment
Attend workshops and receive feedback
Network and socialize with other FTC teams
Prepare for official qualifying tournaments

                        Key Difference from Official Competitions:
                        Scrimmages are learning-focused and non-advancement events
No official rankings or awards (though feedback is provided)
Emphasis on practice, improvement, and collaboration
More relaxed atmosphere to test new strategies

                    

What to Expect

Practice Matches

Multiple qualification-style matches throughout the day
Opportunity to test robot performance under competition conditions
Alliance formations with other teams
Real-time feedback and adjustments between matches

Robot & Field Inspection

Full robot inspection following FTC guidelines
Field element inspection for team-supplied components
Inspector feedback on compliance and safety
Opportunity to make adjustments if needed

Judging & Feedback

Optional informal judge interviews
Feedback on robot design and team presentation
Practice for official competition judging
Engineering portfolio review

Networking & Learning

Meet teams from South Africa and Eswatini
Share strategies and design solutions
Learn from experienced teams and mentors
Build connections within the regional FTC community

Requirements & Preparation

Team Registration

All teams must:

Complete online registration by December 10, 2025
Have all team members registered on the FIRST Dashboard
Complete parent/guardian consent forms for all youth members
Bring printed team roster to check-in

Robot Requirements

Robot must be designed to play the current season's game
Robot should comply with FTC construction rules
Maximum starting size: 18" x 18" x 18"
All robot mechanisms must be ready for inspection

Safety Requirements

All team members must review FTC safety guidelines
Safety glasses required in pit areas
Closed-toe shoes required for all participants
Battery safety protocols must be followed

What to Bring

Required

Robot and all mechanisms
Spare parts and tools
Charged batteries (minimum 3 recommended)
Phone/tablet for Driver Station
Team roster printout
Safety glasses for all team members

Tentative Event Schedule

Schedule is tentative and may be adjusted based on team participation

Time	Activity
7:30 AM - 8:00 AM	Team Check-in & Pit Setup
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM	Opening Ceremony & Safety Briefing
8:30 AM - 10:00 AM	Robot & Field Inspection
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM	Practice Matches (Optional)
10:00 AM - 12:30 PM	Qualification Matches - Round 1
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM	Lunch Break
1:30 PM - 3:30 PM	Qualification Matches - Round 2
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM	Alliance Selection & Playoff Matches
4:30 PM - 5:00 PM	Closing Remarks & Feedback Session

Contact Information

Vuyani Magibisela

Sci-Bono Discovery Centre

Titus Mandla Sithole

Eswatini STEM Club

(For Eswatini teams)

General Inquiries

For questions about:

Registration: vuyani.magibisela@sci-bono.co.za
Venue & Logistics: vuyani.magibisela@sci-bono.co.za
Technical Requirements: Contact through registration email

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

Yes! This scrimmage is completely free with no registration fees.

While we encourage teams to bring robots, teams at any stage of development are welcome. This is a learning event, and teams with robots in progress can still benefit greatly from attending.

Absolutely! This scrimmage is perfect for new teams to gain experience in a supportive environment.

No. Scrimmages are unofficial practice events and do not count toward official tournament rankings or advancement.

Robot & Technical Questions

Teams will play the current season's FTC game (2024-2025 season game).

Yes, all robots must pass safety inspection before competing in matches. Our inspectors will work with teams to help them meet requirements.

Yes! Teams can make modifications in their pit area between matches. Significant changes may require re-inspection.

Teams can expect to play 5-8 qualification matches, depending on total team participation.

Logistics Questions

Check-in opens at 7:30 AM. We recommend arriving by 7:45 AM to allow time for setup and inspection.

Teams should bring their own lunch or plan to purchase food. There are dining options near the venue.

Yes! Teams are welcome to bring their own field elements for practice. Limited field elements may be available for sharing.

Event Goals & Values

This scrimmage embodies the core values of FIRST:

Discovery

Explore new ideas and techniques

Innovation

Test creative solutions to game challenges

Impact

Build confidence for official competitions

Inclusion

Welcome teams of all experience levels

Teamwork

Foster collaboration and support

Fun

Enjoy the excitement of robotics competition!

We emphasize Gracious Professionalism® - doing your best work while treating others with respect and kindness.

Resources

FTC Official Resources

Stay Connected

Use event hashtag: #SciBono FTC2025 #FTCScrimmage

Partners & Sponsors

This event is made possible through collaboration between:

Host Venue

Program Support

Partnership Support

Ready to Register Your Team?

Registration closes December 10, 2025 or when we reach capacity (15 teams).