Both 2056 and 5406 are now at The FIRST FRC World Championship in Houston, Texas, April 29 to May 2, 2026, where they will play on one of NINE fields with teams from all over the world
https://www.firstchampionship.org
The FIRST Robotics Ontario Championships at the Niagara Convention Centre were held April 16-19th, 2026
Team 2056 Orchard Park Robotics and Celt-X5406 Bishop Ryan Robotics were both competing on the “SCIENCE” Field.
After the 50 Qualifying Matches Orchard Park was ranked 2nd and Bishop Ryan was ranked 7th at the end of Saturday.
Sunday morning Simbotics 1114 picked OP 2056 and 7712 to form Alliance 1 and 4476 picked Celt-X5406 and 9562 to form Alliance 3 to go into the Championship round robin.
During the round Robin rounds Alliance 1 went undefeated and won the Science Field in 6 games. Alliance 3 won three matches and lost in Match 13 against Alliance 2, which then went on to lose to Alliance 1.
Team 2056's Alliance then went on to defeat the Technology field in two matches and take home the Ontario Provincial Championship.
You can check out the details here https://www.thebluealliance.com/event/2026oncmp
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 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, that 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.
