Why Declare Robotics a Sport?

In many countries and localities, there are specific benefits associated with formal recognition as a sport that are not afforded to other activities. These benefits were put in place to encourage participation in sports among young people. This was done for good reason, as sports teach students to work hard and aspire to their highest potential. So too does the sport of robotics.

The sport of robotics challenges students to use their minds and bodies to design, build, and pilot a robot which will score points in a competitive format. It requires students to put in hard work, develop their skills, and cooperate as part of a team with both close friends and complete strangers. In other words, it’s a sport like any other.

However, there is a broader argument for recognizing robotics as a sport: sports occupy a unique place of respect in world culture. People who spend their time playing sports aren’t called hobbyists—they’re called athletes. This distinction gives members of sports teams the recognition they deserve for the hard work and sacrifice they put into their craft. If we want to live in a better, more connected, and technologically sophisticated world, we must give the same recognition to our dedicated roboticists.

Outside of a match, the sport of robotics fosters a culture of continuous learning, innovation, and collaboration. Teams engage in after-school training sessions, honing their technical skills in design, engineering, and software programming. Students analyze their practice performance, strategize for upcoming competitions, and iterate on their robot designs to optimize performance. Outside of practices, teams participate in community outreach initiatives, spreading enthusiasm for STEM education through demonstrations, workshops, and mentorship programs. Both in and out of practice, robotics gives participants a platform to cultivate not only their technical prowess but also their leadership abilities, creativity, and teamwork skills.

Recognizing robotics as an official sport elevates its status, providing resources and support to empower the next generation of innovators and problem solvers on a global scale. By championing the sport of robotics, our government can endorse and encourage the pursuit of excellence in STEM fields, laying the foundation for a brighter and more prosperous future.

How Does Robotics Compare to “Traditional” Sports?

All sports are different and each brings unique benefits to the table. Robotics has the benefit of delivering a holistic, hands-on STEM education to participants while engaging their minds and bodies. The skill sets required for success in robotics are numerous: Students must have a working knowledge of engineering, computer programming, design, and other STEM fields, in order to build a competitive robot. They must also hone their physical skills in order to pilot their robot, relying on their own personal dexterity and field vision to score points and react to in-the-moment challenges. Games also have a “human player” component where team members may try to score by throwing or placing game pieces themselves.

Robotics is similar to traditional sports in that game performance is judged by clear criteria and rules. It requires hours of practice, off-field study, and support from coaches while athletes rely on individual skills as well as effective communication and collaboration to achieve their goals. Athletes gain leadership experience by motivating and guiding teammates towards a common objective, creating promotional materials, fundraising within the community, and passing on their knowledge and experience through mentoring other students. Athletes also serve as Country Ambassadors during international competitions while networking and befriending fellow competitors.

Robotics differs from traditional sports in that it is foremost an exercise for the mind, thus making it accessible to anyone, regardless of physical ability. It requires critical thinking and a knowledge base in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Unlike traditional sports, robotics requires cooperation with both team members and competitors to succeed. Robotics further provides opportunities for higher education through improved academic performance, and enables all students to go professional in the sport, if they choose to, by becoming engineers, technologists, etc.

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How to Contact Your Government

The most effective way to have robotics declared a sport in your country is to work directly with government officials to have the change made. Scheduling a meeting with national or local political officials can help you win key allies for your campaign, as can reaching out to government officials you have spoken to previously. Before contacting your government, it is important to gather support for your campaign and understand the pitch you will be making. The following document suggests the steps your team can take to begin meeting with your government in the most effective way.

How to Contact the Media

If anything is going to change, people first need to know about it! Connecting with media and telling the story of the transformative impact of robotics as a sport is important to securing broad support for the effort. The media can help you share your story with a broader audience, gain public support, and demonstrate to the press that there is significant interest in your cause. The following document suggests the steps your team can take to begin meeting with media in the most effective way.