Sherrin Celebrates Indigenous Round - 22nd May 2017
One of the most significant rounds on the AFL calendar, Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous Round sees
the football community formally celebrate and recognise Indigenous Players and culture within the AFL
and around Australia.
This year, Sherrin and the AFL have joined forces with Gavin Wanganeen – AFL Hall of Famer, Brownlow
medallist, and premiership player, to create the striking new design. It has taken over six months between
Gavin beginning the initial drawings, and the finished Sherrin being produced in the factory. Reflecting on
the collaboration, Naomi Maclean, Marketing Manager at Sherrin says, “We’re thrilled to be unveiling a new
design created by Indigenous AFL Legend Gavin Wanganeen. It has been a pleasure collaborating with
him on this unique design and we can’t wait to see it on the field.”
Gavin’s inspiration behind the artwork design is quite fascinating, "There are 18 circles over the ball, with
each circle representing one of the 18 clubs in the AFL competition. Even though Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander Australians make up approximately 3% of the population in Australia, they make up close to 11%
of players in the men’s League. In 2017, every AFL club will have Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander players
on their list and so these circles are significant, as they represent an opportunity for current and future
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander generations. As a 300-game player, this is particularly personal to
me, as I was once one of those kids, chasing my dream to play in the Australian Football League."
This year marks the 50th anniversary since the landmark decisions of the 1967 referendum. To reflect
the importance of this occasion for the Australian community, the numbers ‘67’ are featured on a panel
of the ball.
The Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous Round commences on Thursday night at Simmonds Stadium, with
Geelong taking on Port Adelaide, before the Dreamtime at the ‘G blockbuster of Richmond and Essendon
on Saturday night.
To see the full range click HERE
ANZAC Day Commemorative Sherrin - 24th April 2017
ANZAC Day is a special day for all Australians. This year it is the 102nd Anniversary since the
landing on Gallipoli in 1915. The day is a time for us to reflect and remember all the Australian
and New Zealand men and women who served, or are currently serving and those who died in
war and on operational service.
The ANZAC Day AFL game began in 1995 between Collingwood and Essendon, with both
teams playing on this day every year since. The game plays a symbolic role on ANZAC Day,
with a ceremony taking place before the match.
The ANZAC ball is unique as it is made in the week leading up to the game, right here in
Australia, at the Sherrin Factory located in Scoresby, Victoria. This year, the commemorative
ball is yellow in colour, due to the late afternoon timing of the match. It features the ANZAC
logo, as a tribute to those who have served Australia, alongside the logos of the competing
teams – Essendon and Collingwood. The specially designed football is uniquely produced
for the game only and is not available for sale. Sherrin is proud to be a part of this special day.
Given the ANZAC Day game is such a landmark event, the Sherrin Team thought we would
share how the ball gets made. There are numerous steps involved with the making of the ANZAC
football. Below is a brief outline of some of the steps:
1. Once the leather panels are cut out, each individual
panel has one colour printed on it at a time. Once dry,
the next colour is printed on top, with this process
repeated until the graphics are complete.
2. Four panels are sewn together using a sewing
machine. It is during this stage that it begins to look
like a football
3. The footballs have been turned out and are ready to
have the bladder inserted.
4. The footballs now all have bladders inside and
the laces are ready to be sealed.
5. The finished product! The footballs will now
be packaged and delivered to AFL House
ready for the big game on Tuesday.
