Optus helps power Phoenix Tech to the world stage

For a group of passionate young engineers from Eastwood, NSW, the dream of competing on the world stage in robotics is becoming a reality with some support from Optus.

Phoenix Tech, a standout team from Creator Academy, recently won the 2024 VEX Robotics Australian National Championship, securing their place at the prestigious World Championship in Dallas, Texas. With Optus' sponsorship, they now have the resources to compete against the best student robotics teams globally.

Founded in 2021, Phoenix Tech got its name from the constant cycle of building and rebuilding robots—like phoenixes experiencing death and rebirth. The team excels not only in technical expertise but also in communication and presentation skills.

"Going to Dallas costs a lot of money, so the support from Optus has been absolutely life-changing for the kids and their families to be able to travel and fulfill their dreams," says Garry Law, Founder and Head Coach of Creator Academy.

Their path to victory wasn't without challenges. "Phoenix Tech saw lots of early success in local tournaments, but as the competition advanced to state and national championships, the games were more fiercely contested and required new improvements to our robot to stay competitive," Law explains.

The team’s competitive edge comes from exceptional autonomous programming. "Each game starts with a 15-second autonomous period where no driver input is allowed. Phoenix Tech consistently out-scores opponents during this period, which gives them a significant advantage," he says.

Team captain Mia Chen expressed her excitement: "We achieved tournament champion this season. We've never been tournament champion before, we were the finalists last year, so I feel like there is an improvement and you can see it in the results."

"Every challenge they faced, from refining robot designs to perfecting autonomous programming, was a learning opportunity that strengthened their resilience," adds Law.

The team is now studying international strategies to prepare for Dallas. "Compared with Australia, the international robotics community has a much bigger variety of strategies, so our team is trying to prepare for every matchup."

Optus’ partnership with Creator Academy has been instrumental in empowering young innovators. Earlier this year, the Phoenix Tech team visited Optus' satellite facility, where they saw firsthand how their passion for robotics connects to industries like telecommunications and aerospace. This experience further ignited their excitement for STEM and showed them where their skills could take them in the future.

"Meeting Optus specialists reinforced the connection between robotics and industries like aerospace and telecommunications. It was inspiring for the team to see where their passion could take them."

Nicholas Gibson, Localisation General Manager at Optus, says: "Supporting key groups within local communities is so crucial to the work we do. Having the opportunity to support such a great and growing industry within Australia right here in Eastwood, we couldn't help but jump on board."

“As Phoenix Tech prepares to represent Australia in Dallas, Optus is proud to stand behind them, proving that when we invest in young minds, we help shape the future of technology and innovation,” he said.

Creator Academy delivers robotics education through structured training, mentorship, and competitive experience. "Students learn not just how to build robots, but how to think like engineers. They develop coding proficiency, refine mechanical skills, and master strategic thinking," Law says.

To aspiring young engineers, Phoenix Tech's message is clear: "Robotics isn't just about building machines—it's about asking questions, solving problems, and understanding how things work. If you stay curious, keep experimenting, and never stop learning, you'll be amazed at what you can achieve," he says.

With Optus' sponsorship, Phoenix Tech demonstrates how supporting local talent shapes the future of innovation as they prepare to represent Australia on the world stage.