The Cook Islands’ FIRST Global Robotics team, the Cocobots, achieved a historic gold medal in the 2024 Alliance category, despite facing limited resources and competing against teams with years of experience.

The team that gallantly stamped their mark on the international stage and brought our small nation worldwide recognition returned home from Athens, Greece this week.

Team Cook Islands has carved its way into the history books after achieving a gold medal in the 2024 FIRST Global Robotics Alliance category alongside the People’s Republic of China, Republic of Moldova and Republic of Madagascar.

The FIRST Global Challenge in Athens was attended by STEM (Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) students from 193 nations.

The Cook Islands “Cocobots” team of Uleina Eraio (15), Ruby Newport (15), Evah Sosene (14), Kimiora Vogel (17) and Purotu Enoka (16) were accompanied to last month’s event by passionate robotics enthusiasts, husband and wife team – Miimetua Nimerota, director of the Centre of Excellence in Information Technology (CEIT) at USP Cook Islands, and Jim Nimerota, coach and technical mentor.

Having built a robot they could “count on”, Miimetua said their game strategy was pretty solid throughout the competition.

The team stayed consistent over 12 matches with only one technical glitch in one of the matches.

“Our performance proved to the other teams that they could rely on us to execute a good strategy under pressure,” she said.

Ranked 60^th out of 193 teams, Miimetua said this was excellent achievement considering there were so many amazing and well-designed robots at the challenge and teams with years of experience and dedication to robotics.

She said the real highlight was when the Cook Islands was randomly selected to join an alliance with Team China, Team Madagascar and Team Moldova, the three top performing teams.

“It was an incredible opportunity to collaborate with some of the best teams in the world, and we were proud to play our part in helping our Alliance succeed.”

Competition was intense.

“Things can go wrong in a heartbeat: robots crash, drivers miss goals, and nerves take over,” Miimetua said.

“But our team stayed calm and focused, trusting each other and our Alliance. We didn’t buckle under pressure, and we proved to everyone that we are reliable and committed team players.”

As a mentor for the team, Miimetua said watching the students navigate in such high-pressure situations was inspiring.  

“It wasn’t easy – this was their first time competing on this kind of stage. But they faced every challenge head-on and showed a determination to learn and improve. That’s what makes a winning team.”

She said the alliance with countries as ambitious, intelligent and driven as China, Madagascar and Moldova was an absolute privilege.

“Our students still have plenty to learn about teamwork, strategy, and engineering, but their growth throughout this journey has been tremendous.

“More importantly, they have been outstanding ambassadors for the Cook Islands and for STEM education.”

The FIRST Global Cook Islands Robotics are very grateful for the wonderful support from their families, the community and sponsors who have contributed to their fundraising efforts.

A lot of work is involved in running the STEM programmes and the Cook Islands Robotics Club which requires robotics equipment, tools, mentors, volunteers and money.

“We have achieved a lot with the little we have, and I’m very proud of that fact,” said Miimetua.

“Imagine if we had more resources, more volunteers, more funding, and more kids taking an interest in Robotics as a sport.”

Cook Islands Tourism will be hosting the Cocobots team this afternoon in honour of their historic achievement.

Founded in 1989 by inventor Dean Kamen, FIRST is a global nonprofit organisation that prepares young people for the future through a suite of life-changing youth robotics programmes that build skills, confidence and resilience.