I would like to understand what recourse is available for students who are now being denied participation in the 2025–26 VEX IQ competition due to an abrupt and unexplained policy change.
It is deeply disappointing that RECF has not provided any resolution for dedicated students—many of whom are in their primary years and have already invested significant time, effort, and resources, including purchasing the full competition kit and field for the season.
Adding to the frustration, the response from RECF representatives has been unprofessional, such a rude behavior and even calls being disconnected.
This situation reflects poorly on an organization meant to support and inspire young learners, and I believe it deserves immediate attention and accountability.
Anyone in same boat?
For anyone looking for context, they have outlawed for profit private clubs and are shifting the focus to school based and approved non-profit/home teams.
It seems like students could participate through their schools instead of being on a private team.
If you’ve bought the field, I’m sure that whatever school you/your student child go to would be insanely appreciative to be able to offer VEX to students
Having seen the context provided by others, it appears that the “recourse” would be for your organization to follow one of the listed “pathways for community-based team participation” as laid out in the policy.
As a leader of a student-centered educational non-profit community team in Michigan, I appreciate that RECF is making it possible for non-profit community teams like ours to exist. It’s easy to lump all non-school teams into the same boat, but it’s very clear that many of the “for-profit” organizations I’ve encountered can have some issues with the “student centered” policy.
Are there a lot of for profit organizations in Australia that this is causing an issue? Or is Australia just the guinea pig this year and this is likely a global change that is about to happen to everyone in the 26-27 season?
My child school doesn’t offer this program atm and not ready to share their STEM teacher for this mid year with no notice. We are not allowed to form a home team as we are in Melbourne and not regional town. So what we can do? I do not know why is the change, you do not create a blanket rule if someone in the society is playing with dishonesty. They should find ways to eliminate those who are on the wrong side of the fence.
Very frustrating .
I find this particular bullet troubling. What if a student is unable to take their school’s Robotics class due to schedule conflicts or too many other classes required to graduate? Would they be barred from starting a home team that would enable them to participate in Robotics on their own time? If so, what’s the justification for that? It happened at my school, so I’m genuinely curious.