August 22, 2025

Welcome Back!

As the FIRST AGE season gets underway, there are a couple important deadlines approaching. Please see below for details.

Arizona Specific Updates

State Championship Stay tuned – next week we’ll share important updates on State Championship dates and details.

Arizona Tax Credits

To help promote tax credit donations, AZFirst has implemented a Tax Credit page on the AZFirst website. We're hoping by providing all the information in one place, we can get better participation and have Arizona Tax Credit's directed to your teams. We're asking that you please take a couple minutes and complete this form: https://forms.gle/C9PbTa44iRwfBWWq9. We'll take the info submitted and update the tax credit donation information for teams. 

Intent to Return If your FRC team is facing challenges or does not plan to return this season, please contact me. We’d like to discuss any roadblocks and explore how we can support your team’s return.

FLL Explore Festival

If your team is interested in hosting an FLL Explore Festival, please contact Elaine (elaine.michaud@asu.edu). She's looking for 1–2 locations outside the Phoenix Metro area, and ASU will cover all costs!

Program Updates, Deadlines, & Reminders

Youth Protection Screening Renewal Reminder: A current Youth Protection Screening is required for U.S. and Canada-based lead mentors to access the team’s roster, opt out of the Drive Base & Black Tote (veteran teams), and for other important tasks throughout the season. Screenings expire every four (4) years, and you can check your screening status in the FIRST^® Dashboard. If your screening is expired, order your renewal screening now! For assistance, please contact Team Support Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. ET via email, via phone at 1-(800)-871-8326, or via live chat.   

FIRST Scholarship Portal

FIRST is excited to announce that on September 1, they’re launching a new FIRST Scholarship Portal, a one-stop hub for scholarships tailored to FIRST participants and alumni! Thanks to a partnership with Pearson Futures, this portal will make it easier than ever to find and apply for opportunities that support our community’s educational and career goals. Starting September 1, users can:

• Search and apply for scholarships they’re eligible for right now

• Discover opportunities aligned with their college or career aspirations

• Get a head start on funding their future

Coming soon:

• Internship, apprenticeship, and job postings

The portal will continue to be accessible from the FIRST website.

KitBot & Opt-Out Reminder

As mentioned in a recent blog, Opt-Out deadline for the Black Tote & Drive Base is coming up (decisions due by September 23rd at 12pm ET). Veteran teams can choose to opt out of either (or both) the Black Tote & Drive Base Kit in exchange for vouchers to AndyMark and Rev Robotics. 

Important note: Only veteran teams can opt out of the Drive Base/Black Tote. The default condition is for the Drive Base and Black Tote to ship with each Kickoff Kit, so if you’re a veteran team that wants these items, there’s nothing for you to do. If you want the vouchers instead, you must take this action by the deadline. 

Extended Team Support Hours

Team Support will have extended customer support available until 8:00 p.m. ET on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays starting September 2, through October 30. They can be reached via 1-800-871-8326 or 603-666-3906, extension 0, via Chat and via Email. 

Express Enrollment

Youth registration for the 2025–2026 season is now open through the Express Enrollment application in the FIRST Dashboard. This quick process allows parents/guardians to register youth participants in just a few steps from any device.

To get started, lead Coaches with completed FIRST Youth Protection Screening can generate web links or QR codes in the Dashboard to share with parents/guardians.

Learn more and access support resources on the Youth Registration System Walkthrough page or the Field Development Youth Registration Drawer.

Thank you in advance for helping get youth registered quickly and securely!