Sherrin is a brand of football used in Australian rules football and is the official ball of the Australian Football League, designed to its official specifications. It was the first ball designed specifically for the sport. Sherrin footballs are manufactured in Melbourne, Australia from cow hide lined and machine-stitched, but other sized models are often made in India or China, using synthetic rubber. History In 1879, Thomas W. Sherrin opened a factory at 32 Wellington Street in Collingwood. The first Australian rules football was invented by Sherrin himself in 1880, when he was given a misshapen rugby ball to fix. He designed the Sherrin with indented rather than pointy ends to give the ball a better bounce. The sport known as football, or "footy", was rapidly increasing in popularity, and Sherrin footballs soon became the icon for being the first ball made for Australian rules football. The new shaped ball was so quickly accepted that the National Football League of Australia eventually used the size and shape as standard. Sherrin began production in 1897 in a workshop in Collingwood, which had produced a variety of leather sporting goods since 1880, including footballs, cricket balls, boxing gloves and punching balls. The quality of Sherrin's goods was widely regarded. The company was sold in 1972 to the Australian subsidiary of Spalding. In 2003 Spalding was acquired by the Russell Corporation, which would become part of Fruit of the Loom three years later. Sherrin still makes its footballs by hand in Scoresby, Victoria. Products Specifications Full-Size Ball (n° 5) 720mm circumference (Parallel to stitched seam). 540mm circumference (perpendicular to the stitched seam). Sizes, models and colours Models of the Sherrin football include: KB (Kangaroo Brand): The full and correct playing size for adult men's competition, made to AFL and most other league specifications. Size 4.5 (women's): Slightly smaller than a full-sized ball, made to women's league specifications. Size 4: Smaller than the KB model, popular among players aged 10–13. Usually made from rubber synthetic Size 3: Smaller again, and popular among players aged 6–10. Usually made from rubber synthetic Lyrebird: Made by Sherrin but slightly different in comparison with other Sherrin models and sizes, with a slightly pointier angle for easier kicking and marking. The Lyrebird model is around $40 cheaper than the KB Sherrin, because of the lower quality and durability. Made from Indian imported leather "Soft-Touch": These are made in all