On the back of a successful national First Lego League competition, Shoalhaven’s Team SHuFFLe are bound for the UK.
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The senior team named the ‘Red Herrings’ was the only group chosen from across the country to represent Australia in London in 2017.
“I think everyone got a new perspective of the way to do some of the challenges and a sense of accomplishment knowing that we did well enough to represent our country in an international competition,” senior team member Oliver Woods said.
“It was surprising on the day. We certainly weren’t expecting it, we’re extremely happy that we’ve been given this opportunity.”
Coach Ian Woods said it was an overwhelming feeling to be chosen to attend the international competition.
When they announced that Team SHuFLLe’s Red’s Herring had been invited to compete in London, and that we’re the only Australian team going to that international competition, my heart just burst with pride.
- Karen Woods
“We’re just a little backyard club and this was our first year to even make it to the national competition,” he said.
“Not only that, we are one of the only clubs to have had two teams make it to national level. We had a number of other coaches and judges come up and congratulate us for making it the nationals.
“To then have our Senior team be selected to compete in the UK is mind boggling.”
Mr Woods said he was extremely proud of both the senior and junior teams efforts.
“The seniors wouldn’t have made it without the encouragement and support of their junior counterparts,” he said.
“I’m really looking forward to the trip and the opportunity to give my UK family a chance to be involved in this competition and the opportunity for the senior team to establish friendships and possibly professional relationships with teams from all over the world.”
Senior team members Justin Hedayati and Jacob Malby were both taken by surprise by the announcement.
“No one was expecting it, when we got called out to go to London my heart almost stopped. It was the true highlight of the day,” Justin said.
“At the end of the day when the announcer said ‘representing us in the UK, Team SHuFLLe Red Herrings’, we all looked at each other in disbelief, we were all ecstatic,” Jacob said.
Parent of one of the team members headed to the UK and fellow coach, Karen Woods, said it was an amazing experience.
“When they announced that Team SHuFLLe’s Red’s Herring had been invited to compete in London, and that we’re the only Australian team going to that international competition, my heart just burst with pride,” she said.
“My son is going to represent his country. There’s nothing more amazing than that.”
Read more about their story here.
