The cheeky blue koala from the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games is set to cheer for Australia, appointed as team mascot for the Australian Commonwealth Games team.

Australia’s favourite koala, Borobi, is backing our athletes as the mascot of the Australian Commonwealth Games team.

Borobi was the official mascot of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, with his distinctive blue fur and paw markings so popular that Borobi plush toys proved to be the most in demand merchandise item at the Games.

The name ‘Borobi’ is derived from the language of the Yugambeh whose traditional lands are located in South East Queensland.

Borobi’s team mascot appointment continues his Commonwealth Games association beyond the Gold Coast Games, complementing his important work as an Indigenous languages champion with the Yugambeh Museum. ‘Borobi Day’ is celebrated during National Reconciliation Week in May each year to raise awareness of Indigenous languages in Australia.

Yugambeh Elder Uncle Ted Williams, Borobi and Gold Coast 2018 team members Riley Day and Cedric Dubler holding cheering signs in the Yugambeh language.

Borobi’s appointment as mascot and the use of the Unity symbol are the first steps in activities developed as part of Commonwealth Games Australia’s Reconciliation Action Plan, which is currently with Reconciliation Australia for approval and is expected to be finalised by the end of the year.

Gold Coast Commonwealth Games decathlon bronze medallist Cedric Dubler, who captured the hearts of Australia in Tokyo with his cheering for teammate and training partner Ashley Moloney said he was looking forward to having Borobi urging him on in Birmingham.

“Borobi is going to be the one behind us and cheering us to the finish line,” Dubler said.

“He had such an incredible role at the Gold Coast Games and now he’s an Indigenous language champion so to have that culture come with us as part of the Australian team in Birmingham is very special.”

Australian team Chef de Mission Petria Thomas OAM said it was great news that Borobi would be along for the ride in Birmingham.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to say ‘jingeri jimbelung’ to Borobi and have him as the mascot for our Australian Team in Birmingham,” Thomas said.

“He was so popular on the Gold Coast and having Borobi cheering in the stands and around the grounds will be a massive boost for our team and we are excited to see the energy he will bring.”

Commonwealth Games Australia CEO Craig Phillips AM said that after being such an integral part of the Gold Coast Games and continuing his important work as a champion of Indigenous languages, Borobi was the perfect choice as team mascot.

“Borobi was such an important part of the Gold Coast experience, for our team, every other team and for fans who attended. He has become an iconic member of the Commonwealth Sport Movement,” Phillips said.

“His work has continued following the Games in becoming a champion for Indigenous languages with the Yugambeh Museum. Borobi has been tireless in raising awareness around the importance of retaining the use of Indigenous language in Australia.”

Borobi is bound for Birmingham and is hoping his jimbelungs (friends) Gold Coast 2018 team members Riley Day and Cedric Dubler there too.

Phillips thanked the Commonwealth Games Federation, the Yugambeh Region Aboriginal Corporation Alliance and Yugambeh Museum for supporting the return of Borobi as team mascot, and he also thanked the Queensland Government, design agency Gilimbaa and artist Jenna Lee for approving the ongoing use of the Unity symbol.

“These are important legacies of the Gold Coast Games. Borobi is an icon and the Unity symbol was a significant component of the first-ever Reconciliation Action Plan for a multi-sport Games,” Phillps said.

“To have Borobi joining the Commonwealth Games Australia Team in Birmingham is exciting for the athletes, coaches, support staff and of course all Australians in the stands in Birmingham and at home.

“I have no doubt Borobi will represent the Yugambeh people, all First Nations people and Australians with pride in Birmingham next year.”

Yugambeh Elder Uncle Ted Williams said he was proud to see Borobi promote Indigenous culture on the world stage and was the perfect choice as team mascot.

“I think it means so much for our Indigenous languages. We used to have more than 200 languages in our nation and they’ve died away, but they are now being resurrected,” Williams said.

“Borobi being an Indigenous languages champion will help us reinvigorate and resurrect our languages.”

Commonwealth Games Federation President Dame Louise Martin said she can’t wait to once again see Borobi on the Commonwealth Games stage.

“Borobi is a beloved member of the Commonwealth Games family and was a fantastic symbol of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games,” Dame Louise said.

“We are so excited that Borobi has been announced as Australian team mascot and can’t wait to welcome him and the Australian team to Birmingham in 2022.”

Australia will be represented in Birmingham by what is expected to be our largest ever team to an away Commonwealth Games, with a team of around 425 athletes competing in all 21 sports, across 136 medal events for women, 134 for men and 13 mixed events.

For the first time Australian families and fans will be able to access group tickets for all events at the Commonwealth Games, ensuring Australian families and fans can sit together and cheer together, stay together and play together.

Bookings are now open and the Family & Fans Tour brochure is available here.

Tour packages are available for all sports; however numbers are limited.

The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games will take place from 28 July to 8 August 2022.