Austin FTC Volunteer Rodeo and Scrimmage
Saturday, October 24, 2026 | 8:00 AM–2:30 PM
Austin, Texas | Kipp Austin Collegiate 8004 Cameron Rd, Austin, TX 78754
New to FIRST Tech Challenge volunteering? Join FIRST Texas to explore event roles, learn from experienced volunteers, and practice during a live scrimmage. Returning volunteers are welcome, too.
Sign up for volunteer training through FIRST
To sign up for this event, Log in to your FIRST Dashboard, or create an account if you are new to FIRST. Select Volunteer for this event and follow the prompts to share your role interests and complete your volunteer information. Volunteers 18 and older must complete the required Youth Protection screening.
What to expect
We will start together with a welcome and introduction to FTC events. The morning will then focus on four training paths. You do not need to know the game or have a role picked out before you arrive. In the afternoon, volunteers can observe and practice what they have learned during a live scrimmage.
Day schedule
8:00–8:30 AM: Doors open and check-in
8:30–9:00 AM: Welcome and volunteer orientation
9:00 AM–12:00 PM: Training paths
12:00–12:30 PM: Lunch break
12:30–2:30 PM: Applied training and live scrimmage
2:30 PM: Wrap-up and dismissal
We will provide snacks and drinks. Please bring lunch if you plan to stay for the afternoon scrimmage. Specific sessions and room assignments will be shared closer to the event.
Which training path should I choose?
Inspection — Help teams get ready to compete
Inspectors work with students to check that their robots meet competition requirements before they play. Choose this path if you like working directly with teams, are curious about how robots are built, or enjoy helping people work through a checklist. You do not need to be a robotics expert to get started.
Judging — Discover the work behind the robot
Judges talk with students about their design process, teamwork, outreach, and accomplishments. They ask questions and work together to recognize teams through awards. Choose this path if you enjoy listening to young people, encouraging them, and making thoughtful decisions with a group. An engineering background is not required.
Refereeing and scoring — Follow the action on the field
Referees watch matches, identify scoring actions and rule violations, and work together to apply the game rules. Choose this path if you enjoy the game, can stay focused while several things happen at once, and want to understand how matches are scored. This training is an introduction; official referee roles require additional preparation.
FTA and Scorekeeper technical training — Keep matches running
The FIRST Technical Advisor (FTA) supports field technology and helps resolve technical issues. Scorekeepers operate the system that runs matches and records results. Choose this path if you enjoy technology, troubleshooting, and coordinating the details that keep an event moving. Some lead roles require experience and additional training, but this is a place to explore the work.
Not sure yet? Come to the welcome session and tell us what interests you. We can help you choose where to spend the morning. Exploring a path does not commit you to that role at a future event.
A note for volunteers connected to teams
Coaches, mentors, parents, alumni, and team supporters are welcome at this training. When you apply to volunteer at an event, please disclose any connection to a participating team. Judging, refereeing, FTA, and other field roles can involve decisions that affect teams. Sharing those connections early helps event leaders make assignments and address actual or perceived conflicts of interest.
Bringing a team to the scrimmage?
We will share a separate team sign-up soon for the afternoon scrimmage. Participation is capped at 16 teams. The volunteer sign-up link above does not reserve a team spot.