Games organisers have launched a nationwide search to find their ‘Mascot Maker’ following the world’s first virtual mascot summit, hosted by Olympic gold medallist Denise Lewis and television presenter Radzi Chinyanganya.
Youngsters aged between 5-15 years old have been challenged to create a mascot which reflects ‘the identity, heritage and culture of the West Midlands’, while encompassing youthfulness, diversity and dynamism.
The top entries from three age groups [5-8, 9-11 and 12-15] will win tickets to the Games’ opening ceremony, while the overall winner will become an iconic symbol both before and during the quadrennial international sporting festival.
Paul du Feu, Commonwealth Games Association of Jersey president, said: ‘It’s very exciting to think that somebody from Jersey could be behind the mascot for the Commonwealth Games. It’s a great thing and it will need lot’s of thinking.
‘Children have got to think that it’s for Birmingham so they will have to be aware of the multi-cultural nature of these Games – it’s a young, vibrant part of Britain. That’s one of the reasons why they’ve added ladies cricket to the schedule.
‘The Gold Coast 2018 mascot was a lifeguard and a surfer – the whole history with him came out of the sea – so it will be interesting to see how people view the mascot for Birmingham. If there are any young people in Jersey who have got an idea, they can certainly contact myself or one of the officers to discuss it.’
Du Feu added that the CGAJ have already block-booked 50 hotel rooms in Birmingham for the duration of the Games, which will be set aside for athletes and their families plus any other Islanders wishing to attend the event as a fan.
Mascot designs can be drawings, paintings or collages and can be entered into the competition by visiting www.Birmingham2022.com/Mascot. The competition closes on Wednesday 5 August.
