For only the third time in its 140-year history, the iconic Sherrin football will undergo a name change to celebrate the AFL’s Sir Doug Nicholls Round. Over the next two weeks, game day balls will bear the name “Koethuka Kakur,” from the Kalaw Kawaw Ya dialect of the Western Torres Strait Islands. Sherrin Footballs to Feature Indigenous Name and Artwork for Sir Doug Nicholls Round
Adding to this special edition, former AFL player Ben Davis has designed unique artwork for the Sherrin balls. Davis, who played for the Adelaide Crows from 2019 to 2022, drew inspiration from his Indigenous heritage and significant cultural figures he encountered during his career. His design pays homage to the culture and heritage of the Saibai and Waiben Islands.
Davis’ artwork, titled “Connection,” emphasizes the profound links football creates across Australia, reflecting on how the sport unites people and how Indigenous culture connects through generations. “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,” Davis explained.
The launch of the Sir Doug Nicholls Round saw players express their admiration for the event, with St Kilda’s Bradley Hill calling it his “favorite.” Davis highlighted the round’s importance, stating, “It allows our Indigenous people to feel valued and really feel like they can express their culture and really be appreciated.”
A total of 727 specially designed game balls have been meticulously crafted at Sherrin’s factory in Keysborough, Victoria. The production process involved over ten colors and 33 hours of printing for each ball.
Sherrin’s Marketing Director, Naomi Maclean, emphasized the company’s dedication to honoring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage. “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,” Maclean said.
In support of this initiative, 15 percent of all proceeds from the 2024 Sherrin Sir Doug Nicholls range will be donated to the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA), an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation that has been supporting Aboriginal children, young people, and families in Victoria for 45 years. These special edition balls are available for purchase online, offering fans a chance to own a piece of this significant cultural celebration.
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