Talented Brisbane twins Tom and Harrison Searle won an Australia-wide competition to design the Socceroos’ official mascot, and the proud pair were on hand in Gosford on Sunday for the unveiling at the first of two Socceroo Fan Days.
Football Federation Australia (FFA) and official vitamin partner, Cenovis, offered Australians a once in a lifetime opportunity to design the first official mascot for the Socceroos.
The judging panel of Socceroo Tim Cahill, Head Coach Ange Postecoglou, FFA CEO David Gallop and Luke Fitzgerald from Cenovis poured over entries from all over the country and named the 11-year-old Searle twins as winners.
The Socceroos mascot was designed with one of Australia’s iconic symbols, the Kangaroo, in mind.
“Harrison and I thought it would be good to base our design on the shape of a Kangaroo, especially because it’s for the Socceroos,” said Tom Searle.
“It took us a day to work together on the research and design of the mascot,” said Harrison Searle. “We are really happy that our design was chosen and that we get to see him with the Socceroos over the next few months.”
“As a judge I saw some really great entries and it was so good to see Australia get behind designing the first ever Socceroos mascot,” said Socceroo, judge and Cenovis partner Tim Cahill.
“Congratulations to Tom and Harrison on their winning entry. I love the designs the twins have developed. I can't wait to see the mascot over in Brazil.”
Luke Fitzgerald, Director of Sanofi Consumer Healthcare, the makers of Cenovis, said the brand was proud to partner with the FFA to offer Australians this once in a lifetime opportunity.
“The Cenovis team is excited to have worked with the FFA on this very special project,” Fitzgerald said. “As a Brisbane-based business, it was great to see some locals win the competition!
“There are some great opportunities for fans to meet the Socceroos mascot over the next few weeks and we hope all Australians will join Cenovis and get behind the Socceroos over the next few months.”
Socceroos fans have an opportunity to catch up with the mascot during the Socceroos team appearances at Westfield Sydney (Pitt St Mall) at 1pm on Thursday (22 May) and the Sydney Socceroos Fan Day at Jubilee Oval (Kogarah) from 10am on Saturday (24 May) before the Socceroos take on South Africa at ANZ Stadium on Monday 26 May.
Send Off the Socceroos
Socceroos vs South Africa, presented by NAB
Monday 26 May 2014 ANZ Stadium, Sydney Kick-off: 7.30pm
Tickets from $30, including public transport. Buy now!