SHERRIN REVEALS SIR DOUG NICHOLLS ROUND BALLS
SHERRIN REVEALS SIR DOUG NICHOLLS ROUND BALLS
Sherrin is proud to launch its new Sir Doug Nicholls Round balls, which will be used in Rounds 10 and 11 of the 2024 Toyota AFL Premiership season.
Former AFL player and current VFL player Ben Davis is the artist who designed and created the ball design, bringing to life his Saibai and Waiben Islands culture and family heritage.
For the third time in Sherrin’s rich history that spans over 140 years, Sherrin will change their brand name on the game balls to Koethuka Kakur (pronounced koi-thika kakurrr with a rolling R) from the kalaw kawaw ya dialect used in the Top Western Torres Strait Islands.
Davis played for the Adelaide Crows from 2019 – 2022 and during his time at the club, strong Indigenous figures inspired him to learn more about his culture.
After designing the Crows Indigenous jersey in 2021, Ben’s passion for his artistry and culture has only grown.
His design of the Sherrin game ball focused on telling the story of connection through the game, speaking to the Indigenous Australian men and women who have had a monumental influence and their passing of leadership onto future generations.
“The name of this piece is Connection,” Davis said.
“I thought about how footy connects us all. It connects people from one side of Australia to the other, and I thought about how in Indigenous culture we’re connected through our generations.
“Sir Doug Nicholls Round is so important because it gives the opportunity for Indigenous excellence to be celebrated and it stem far beyond football.
“It allows our Indigenous people to feel valued and really feel like they can express their culture and really be appreciated.”
727 game balls were produced by hand at Sherrin’s factory in Keysborough, Victoria. Over ten colours and 33 hours of printing were required.
“Sherrin is committed to acknowledging the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage in our great game,” Sherrin Marketing Director, Naomi Maclean, said.
“Through Sir Doug Nicholls Round, we are able to help build deeper connections to country, enable important storytelling via a unique ball design and raise funds for causes to support the Indigenous community.”
These game balls are available for purchase alongside the more comprehensive 2024 Sherrin SDNR range, with 15% of the proceeds donated to the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA).
VACCA is a statewide Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO) servicing Aboriginal children, young people and families through a wide variety of programs. VACCA have protected and supported indigenous youth and families for over 45 years.
Sherrin recognises the importance of First Nation heritage in the game and the significant contribution that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have made to Australian Rules Football.
To purchase from Sherrin’s limited-edition Sir Doug Nicholls Round range, visit here.