This summer, two Westminster High School students traveled to Birmingham, Alabama, as part of the Colorado All-Stars team, where they played Drone Soccer as a demonstration sport at The World Games Plaza. The World Games is an 11-day international multi-sport event organized with the support of the International Olympic Committee. Sports include softball, kickboxing, drone racing, and more. While drone soccer isn’t on the sports program, students hope their demonstration will pique The World Games’ interest.

Xavier Culp and Jonathan Villalobos joined some of the best players in the state to make up the Colorado All-Stars. Career and Technical Education (CTE) teacher Robbie Ferguson and CTE administrator Lottie Wilson also joined the students in Alabama. Jonathan Villalobos said it was one of the best experiences in his life, and Xavier Culp echoed that thought by saying it was one of the best trips he’s ever had.

“We did a lot, and we learned a lot from the other teams,” said Culp. “We met a lot of new people that could give us some future opportunities.”

Click here to view photos from the event.

Drone Soccer is the only robotics competition that is also an internationally sanctioned team sport by the World Air Sports Federation (FAI). Utilizing open-source technology that is affordable, durable, and completely repairable, students are immersed in the FAA culture of safety and visible career paths in engineering, manufacturing, programming, and aviation operations.

Westminster High School will host the Colorado Drone Soccer Season Kickoff on Saturday, August 27, from 12 – 2:00 p.m. All current and prospective coaches, students, and parents are invited to learn about the upcoming 2022-23 Drone Soccer season and career opportunities in aviation. Robbie Ferguson encourages anyone who is showing any kind of interest in drones to come to one of the meetings or events, “Once they see what it's about, they just absolutely love it.”