The Mini Mascot Story

 

From Hospital Wards to Hero Capes – The Inspiring Story Behind Mini Mascot

Mini Mascot is a new Australian brand on a mission to turn young sports fans into real-life heroes - on the field and in life. Created by Brisbane couple Sammy and Nathaniel, Mini Mascot was born from a shared love of sport, their kids, and community - and a desire to fill a much-needed gap in the market.

Sammy comes from a long line of creatives - she’s the fourth generation in her family’s 113-year-old costume and party business, one of the oldest in the country. Costumes, dress-ups, and sparking imagination have always been a part of her world. Nathaniel, on the other hand, comes from a background of working with and teaching children. Having spent three years working for the Queensland Children’s Hospital on the in-home ventilation program, providing vital daily care for kids with tracheostomies requiring ventilation. The experience left a lasting impression, shaping his view of what true bravery looks like.

Together, they saw an opportunity to create something truly meaningful: sports fan apparel that isn’t just about team spirit - it’s about empowering kids to feel like heroes.

Mini Mascot launched with a bang, releasing the official NRL Hero Range for all 17 clubs to the world, and with ranges for the Big Bash League, the All Blacks, and AFL all launching soon, it's exciting times ahead. The brand’s Hero Packs include bold, officially licensed mascot masks and capes that let young fans transform into their favourite teams heroes and become just like the heroes they look up to.

But the most powerful chapter of their story is a full-circle moment that brings Nathaniel’s hospital experience right to the heart of their mission. Having just formed an amazing partnership with the Children’s Hospital Foundation, Mini Mascot will donate 600 official NRL Hero Capes ($20,000 worth) over the next 12 months to the hospital’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.

These capes won't just be for team support, they'll be used as much needed dignity capes, created for children who, due to surgery, procedures, conditions or limited mobility, are unable to wear clothing during their hospital stay. These capes offer privacy, warmth, and a huge boost of confidence. Wrapped in the colours of their favourite NRL team, these young patients don’t just feel seen - they feel strong.

With the NRL’s full support, this dignity cape program is already making a big impact, transforming clinical moments into heroic milestones. And to further their support, Mini Mascot is donating $1 from every retail sale to the Queensland Children’s Hospital Foundation.

What started as a passion project between a costume queen and a former hospital hero has become something so much bigger - a brand giving kids the power to feel brave, proud, and unstoppable. Mini Mascot is more than merchandise. It’s a movement, built on love, courage, and the belief that every child is heroic, and that every team needs a HERO!