Eleven-year-old Agnes Jun has won the Auckland FC mascot competition with her colourful entry, Tāma the Kingfisher.
Tāma, short for Tāmaki Makaurau, beat out more than 250 entries to win the competition, with judges praising the practicality of the costume, as well as the bright colours making it hard to miss.
“I chose a kōtare, or kingfisher, because the kingfisher is fast, focused, and native to New Zealand,” says Agnes.
“I think it is perfect for a sharp, bold football team like Auckland FC.”
The mascot hunt started back on June 11 after feedback from fans indicated a mascot was needed. 254 entries were then received, including approximately 110 hand drawn entries from under-18s.
The 254 were then whittled down to a final five and then put to the public to have their say on. More than 1,200 people voted with Koko the Kōkako, Knight, and Tāma the Kingfisher making out and almost inseparable top three.
A panel of fans, experts and Auckland FC staff then discussed the merits of each. Several rounds of voting followed, and 90 minutes later, Tāma the Kingfisher was the winner.
Denise Hailes is a costume and mascot maker. Having made hundreds of sports mascots over the years, she has developed an eye for what makes a great sporting mascot.
“A mascot needs to be bright and colourful to make it noticeable, but also unique and practical if it is going to be seen going down slides and mixing with fans game after game,” says Denise.
“We received so many bird entries, around 150. We’re clearly a nation of bird lovers, but then birds make great mascots, they can be fun, cheeky and like Agnes design, very colourful.
“We received so many great entries. It was so hard to pick one, so well done and thank you to everyone who entered.”
Denise will now spend some time working with Agnes to turn her design into reality ahead of a grand mascot unveiling at Auckland FC’s first home game of the new A-League men’s season at some point in October.
“Congratulations to Agnes. It is a great design, and I loved her thinking. Describing Auckland FC as sharp and bold is certainly enough to win me over,” says Nick Becker, Auckland FC CEO.
“When we started this process, I really had no idea how hard it would be to pick a winner. There were just so many great entries.
“I’m staggered by the sheer quality and number of entries. A huge thanks to the fans and community for getting involved and being part of our hunt to find a mascot. I look forward to the unveiling in front of our fans.”
