Sherrin Welcomes and Celebrates Multicultural Round - 20th July 2017
To commemorate Multicultural Round, Sherrin has produced unique footballs to celebrate diversity and multiculturalism within the AFL community.
There are many individuals who emanate from multicultural backgrounds, within the AFL community. In 2017, Multicultural players make up 15 per cent of the AFL player lists across the 18 AFL clubs, as well as 7.8 per cent across the 8 AFLW clubs. In addition to this, there are the many multicultural community members, fans and staff that are the backbone of each club.
The making of the specialised Multicultural Sherrin begins in early July, with the finished balls delivered to AFL House the week before the round.
Regardless of where you were born, football has the unique power to bring people from different communities and cultures together, and Sherrin is proud to be helping take our game to new audiences and welcome new fans.
This year, the Multicultural Round Sherrin’s, will feature the word “Welcome” in six different languages: Hindi, Italian, Arabic, Traditional Chinese, Greek and Spanish. The Multicultural Round begins on Friday 28th July with the specialised Sherrin’s featuring in all nine games. The marquee game of the round is on the Saturday afternoon when GWS take on Fremantle in Sydney.
If you would like to purchase one of these limited edition Sherrins, please click here
What football size is right for me? - 13th July 2017
Purchasing a Sherrin, whether it be for yourself or a gift for someone else can be a tough task, as there are a range of sizes to suit all needs. So, which one is best for you? Our team at Sherrin have explained the sizes to make it easier for you to choose your best Sherrin.
- Size Mini – 20cm
This is a perfect gift for a footy fan, as they can sit it on their desk or kick it around the office. This mini football is ideal for both males and females of all ages and is a novelty version of the classic Australian Sherrin football.
Size Junior – 22cm
The junior football is ideal for our youngest fans. It comes in a range of colours and designs, and is the perfect size
for kids to easily handle and play with indoors or outside.
Size Youth – 25cm
The novelty youth size football includes our Glow in the Dark and Colour Me Sherrin ranges. It is suited to kids 4 years
and older, however it is perfect for any footy fan! Be sure to show your support for your favourite team with our range of
club specific footballs.
Size 1
Size 1 – the official Auskick size. This Sherrin is perfect for both boys and girls between 5-8 years, helping them to
learn the skills required, as they begin their AFL journey.
Size 2
Suited to primary school kids aged 9-11 years, the size 2 Sherrin, is the next step up for little footy stars in the making.
Our size 2 range covers game balls, training balls and club supporter footballs, so whether your child is playing the
game or just a fan, there is something for everyone.
Size 3
The size 3 Sherrin is designed for youths aged 12-13 years, as they continue their AFL journey, through the footy ranks.
Similarly to size 2, our size 3 range of Sherrins are available in game balls, training balls and supporter footballs,
allowing you to both play football and support your favourite team.
Size 4
The size 4 Sherrin is the official size football of the AFLW and is suited to females 14 years and over, and males 14-15
years of age. Traditionally, an AFL Women’s gameball has been a size 4.5, however in 2017, the AFL changed the
official size for Women’s footballs to size 4, for the inaugural season of the AFLW.
Size 5
Size 5 is the official size for the AFL gameball, and is utilised by males 16 years and over. Our range of size 5
Sherrin’s includes official AFL gameballs, match balls, training footballs, skills range, as well as AFL team
supporter footballs.
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.
