​Two FLL teams advance to provincial finals after qualifying at tournament in Kincardine

Two FIRST Lego League (FLL) teams have advanced to the provincial finals, following the qualifying tournament held Saturday, Nov. 29, at Kincardine District Senior School.

The Amazing Axolotls of St. Catharines won the Champion’s Award, while The Mud Men of Kincardine won the Innovative Project Award, making both teams eligible to move on to the provincial championships, Feb. 1, 2026, at Durham College in Oshawa.

Hosted by the Kinetic Knights Robotics Team (FRC Team 781), the FLL Unearthed challenge is part of the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) First Age season, presented by Qualcomm. In this challenge, teams of youth in Grade 4-8 used their innovation and creativity to dig deeper than ever before.

During the opening ceremony, MC Evelyn Sutton welcomed everyone and introduced tournament director David Dadson, lead mentor of the Kinetic Knights, as well as Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson, minister of rural affairs.

“It’s excellent to see the robots you’ve created out of Lego,” said Thompson. “This is teamwork and you’ve not only been inspired by this challenge, you’re inspiring others. The Kinetic Knights Robotics Team has led by example for many years taking robots to FIRST competitions. Some of you have travelled a great distance to be here. Have a great day!”

Eleven teams competed at the tournament, including five from Kincardine and Ripley, one from St. Catharines, one from Mississauga, one from London, one from Collingwood and two from Owen Sound.

The teams have been working on their robots, their innovative projects and their presentations throughout the fall, with the help of their coaches, and this competition was their opportunity to demonstrate everything they had learned.

Besides the Kinetic Knights volunteers and referees, the event featured four volunteer judges. Teams played games on competition fields where their robots had to complete a number of missions for which they had been programmed. By the end of the day, it was a tough contest for the judges to determine the winners.

Thanks to members of the Kincardine Lions Club for barbecuing hamburgers for lunch.

During the closing ceremony, the following awards were presented:
 

• Champion’s Award – Team 72824, the Amazing Axolotls of St. Catharines
• Core Values Award – Team 13262, Relic Recon of Kincardine
• Innovative Project Award – Team 4139, The Mud Men of Kincardine
• Robot Design Award – Team 68177, The Artifacts of Kincardine
• Robot Performance Award – Team 71351, The Thunder Bytes of Mississauga
• The Rising All-Star Award – The Dino Nuggets of Collingwood
• Coach/Mentor Award – Wilbert Feenstra of Team 72824, the Amazing Axolotls
• Volunteer Award – David Dadson, lead mentor of the Kinetic Knights Robotics Team

The Kincardine qualifying tournament was funded through FIRST Canada and Kinetic Knights Robotics.

Speaking of funding, the Kinetic Knights Robotics Team continues to fund-raise and seek sponsorships for the 2025-26 season. For more information, contact lead mentor, David Dadson, at dcdadson@live.com.