UTICA, NY – CNY Drones and the SUNY Polytechnic Institute’s student technology clubs are pleased to present New York State’s first U.S. Drone Soccer Championship Showcase on Sunday, April 3, 2022, 1:00-4:00pm in Wildcat Field House, SUNY Polytechnic Institute, Utica, NY. The invitation-only event targets middle and high school STEM educators, student clubs, and afterschool initiatives throughout New York State. Attendees will have an opportunity to view U.S. Drone Soccer in action at New York’s Championship Competition Site. The showcase includes demonstration matches along with information on equipment requirements, team formation, and league development.
Drone soccer is a thrilling indoor team sport that uses remote controlled hobby quadcopters enclosed in protective plastic spheres. Played with 5 players per side, 2 teams compete in action-packed 3-minute sets inside a 10-foot by 20-foot netted arena. With U.S. Drone Soccer, one drone on each team is designated as a Striker that can score points by flying through the opposing goal. All other drones are defending or blocking by intentionally colliding with the opposing team. The standard practice playing arena can fit inside a classroom, atrium, building foyer, cafeteria, gymnasium or conference room. Professional arenas will be located throughout the State for competitive play.
SUNY Poly’s Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA), Wildcat Robotics, 3D Printing, and Women in Engineering clubs meet regularly with CNY Drones and are poised to help grow U.S. Drone Soccer as Championship hosts. The student clubs co-host demonstrations, tech meets, training and competitions in addition to hosting drone soccer fly-in meetings for SUNY students on campus.
CNY Drones is a volunteer-run community organization promoting drone-focused STEM through programs that encourage further exploration of the regional drone education & employment pipeline. CNY Drones was New York State’s first AMA Model Aircraft Student Club and has expanded its reach as AMA Region II Affiliate for U.S. Drone Soccer covering both New York and New Jersey. CNY Drones provides students and educators a source for information and technical support as they discover drone technology through one of the fastest growing STEM-based team sports. CNY Drones took on the challenge of U.S. Drone Soccer with the support of the Air Force Research Lab in Rome, NY, the Griffiss Institute, SUNY Polytechnic Institute’s College of Engineering, and the Technology Alliance of Central New York (TACNY).
Introduced in North America in 2019, U.S. Drone Soccer is driving the adoption of youth drone programs by providing educational leadership, innovative technology, and supporting new leagues across the country. The audience-friendly program has run successfully in Colorado during COVID with masks and social distancing. In addition to New York and New Jersey, U.S. Drone Soccer is spreading from Colorado to Texas, Washington, and Pennsylvania and moving quickly to other states. A National Championship is set for May in Colorado followed by a World Championship in July. U.S. Drone Soccer is an AMA Special Interest Group and is recognized by the World Aerial Sports Federation.
Pre-registration for the April 3rd U.S. Drone Soccer Championship Showcase is required. Students ages 12 to 18 must be registered by an attending teacher, club advisor or coach. For information, contact Lisa Payne, CNY Drones Administrator, at 315-292-2002, email CNYDrones@gmail.com or use the event form at www.CNYDrones.org.