Ruqayyah Snyder
Australian football, also known as Australian rules football or Aussie rules, is a contact sport played between two teams of 18 players on an oval field. The aim of the game is to kick the ball between the two tall goal posts to score a goal. The ball used in Australian football is ellipsoid in shape and is made of leather. It is between 72 and 73 cm (28 and 29 in) in long circumference and 54.5 and 55.5 cm (21.5 and 21.9 in) in short circumference. The standard AFL match balls are produced by Sherrin, a company founded by Thomas William Sherrin in 1880, using cowhide leather.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Shape | Oval |
| Material | Leather |
| Manufacturer | Sherrin |
| Size | 72-73 cm long circumference, 54.5-55.5 cm short circumference |
| Inflation Pressure | 69 kilopascals |
| Colour | Red and Yellow are most common |
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What You'll Learn
Football shape and size
The Australian rules football, also known as Aussie rules football, is played with an ellipsoid or oval-shaped ball, similar to a rugby ball. The ball is made of leather, specifically cowhide leather, and is inflated to a pressure of 69 kilopascals (10.0 pounds per square inch).
The standard size for adult men's competitions, known as Size 5, measures between 72 and 73 cm (28 and 29 inches) in long circumference and 54.5 and 55.5 cm (21.5 and 21.9 inches) in short circumference. For women's competitions, a smaller ball, known as Size 4, is used, measuring 69 cm long and 53 cm short in circumference.
The distinctive shape of the Australian football was first designed by Thomas William Sherrin in 1879. Sherrin, a saddler by trade, sought to improve the English-made leather rugby balls used in the game at the time. He created an oval ball with rounder points, making it easier to bounce evenly and kick. This new shape was quickly adopted by local teams and eventually became the standard for the National Football League of Australia.
Today, Sherrin continues to handcraft footballs in Victoria, Australia, using the same methods established by its founder over 140 years ago. The company offers different sizes and models to cater to various player groups, including adults, children, and junior players.
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Football materials
Australian rules football, also known as Aussie rules, is a contact sport played with an ellipsoid or oval-shaped ball. The ball is made of leather, specifically cowhide leather, and is inflated to a pressure of 69 kilopascals (10.0 pounds per square inch). The size of the ball varies depending on the competition. For adult men's competitions, the full and official playing size is Size 5, while for adult women's competitions, a smaller Size 4 ball is used. Size 3 balls are also available for players aged 6-10.
The first football designed specifically for Australian rules football was created by Thomas William Sherrin in 1879. Sherrin, a saddler by trade, improved upon the English-made leather rugby balls used by VFL clubs by creating an oval ball with rounder points, making it easier to kick and bounce more evenly. The Sherrin company was established in 1880 and continues to produce footballs by hand in Victoria, Australia, using much the same manufacturing process as it did over 140 years ago.
Over time, Sherrin has made innovations to the design of the football, including the introduction of a white football for a night game and the first yellow leather football to assist with visibility during night games. The company has also produced footballs for the Junior Participation Program, such as the Vickick and Auskick models.
While Sherrin is the major brand of football used in Australian rules football, another popular brand is Burley-Sekem, which is used at the state level in the West Australian Football League.
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Football manufacturing
Australian footballs, also known as Australian rules footballs, are made of cowhide leather. The balls are crafted into an oval shape, similar to a rugby ball, and are between 72 and 73 cm long in circumference and 54.5 and 55.5 cm in short circumference. For women's competitions, a smaller ball size of 69 cm and 53 cm is used.
The process of making these footballs has been largely unchanged since the 1800s. Sherrin, the company that manufactures these footballs, was founded in 1880 by Thomas William Sherrin, a saddler by trade. Sherrin initially handcrafted leather rugby balls used in Australian rules football. In 1879, Sherrin created an oval ball with round points, specifically designed for the sport. The company was sold in 1972 to Spalding Australia, and in 2003, Spalding was acquired by Russell Corporation. Despite changing hands, Sherrin continues to make footballs by hand in Victoria, Australia, adhering to the same traditional methods.
Over time, Sherrin has made slight innovations to the footballs, such as introducing a white ball for a game played under electric light and a yellow leather ball for improved visibility during night games. The company also produces different sizes, including Size 5 for adult men's competitions and Size 4 for adult women's competitions, adhering to AFL and AFLW specifications, respectively.
While Sherrin is the predominant brand used in Australian rules football, another major brand is Burley-Sekem, which is used in the West Australian Football League.
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Football brands
Australian rules football, also known as Aussie rules, is played with an ellipsoid or oval ball. While there are no defined laws regarding what material the ball should be made of, standard AFL match-used balls are produced by Sherrin using cowhide leather.
Sherrin is the official brand of football used by the Australian Football League and has been since the 1880s. The company was founded in 1880 by Thomas William Sherrin, who improved upon the English-made leather rugby balls used to play Australian rules football by creating an oval ball with rounder points, which made it easier to kick. Sherrin balls are used in the Victorian Football League and many local competitions. The company was sold in 1972 to Spalding Australia, and in 2003, Spalding was acquired by Russell Corporation. Despite the change in ownership, Sherrin continues to make footballs by hand in Keysborough, Victoria, in much the same way it always has.
The other major brand of football used in Australia is Burley-Sekem, which is used at the state level in the West Australian Football League.
In addition to these two brands, there are other companies that sell Australian footballs, including Play Aussie LLC, which is the preferred supplier of Aussie Rules Footballs for USAFL clubs and players.
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Football colours
Australian rules football, also known as Aussie rules, is played with an ellipsoid or oval-shaped ball. While there is no standard colour for the ball, red and yellow are the most common colours used. Yellow is used for games that begin after 3 pm or in enclosed stadiums, as it is more visible and aids in score reviews.
The first football designed specifically for Australian rules football was created by Thomas William Sherrin in 1879. Sherrin, a saddler by trade, improved upon the English-made leather rugby balls used by VFL clubs at the time. He created an oval ball with rounder points, making it easier to kick and bounce more evenly. Sherrin Pty Ltd was established in Collingwood, Melbourne, and the company's footballs quickly became the ball of choice for local teams.
The company was sold in 1972 to Spalding Australia, and in 2003, Spalding was acquired by the Russell Corporation. Despite changing hands, Sherrin continues to make footballs by hand in Victoria, Australia, using cowhide leather. The size and shape of the Sherrin ball became the standard for the National Football League of Australia.
The other major brand of football used in Australian rules football is Burley-Sekem, which is used at the state level in the West Australian Football League.
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Frequently asked questions
Australian footballs are made of leather, specifically cowhide leather.
Sherrin is the most well-known brand of Australian footballs. The company was founded in 1880 by Thomas William Sherrin, and it continues to make footballs by hand in Victoria, Australia.
Yes, another major brand is Burley-Sekem, which is used at the state level in the West Australian Football League.
Australian footballs are ellipsoid in shape and have a long circumference of 72-73 cm (28-29 inches) and a short circumference of 54.5-55.5 cm (21.5-21.9 inches). For women's competitions, a smaller ball with a size of 69 cm long and 53 cm short circumference is used.
