sizes, but are made with a soft-dense rubber rather than leather or rubber synthetic, to give the ball a "soft-touch" (also making the ball easier to kick and mark) Colours, rubber or leather, different sizes: These are factors for the player/consumer to decide. Sizes 3 and 4 are popular among children aged 6–13, while genuine leather, full-sized KB models (the red coloured KB used for day AFL matches, and the yellow coloured KB used for day matches beginning after 3:00pm, twilight, night or indoor AFL matches) are popular among players aged 14+, beginners, intermediate, or advanced players. AFL club colours, mascots and logos printed on various sizes of the Sherrin are also popular with fans of the club and players. The meaning of "Kangaroo Brand" The term "Kangaroo Brand" ("KB") refers to a type of Sherrin football. When T.W. Sherrin started manufacturing footballs, several models were produced (such as the "MATCH III" Sherrin), but the "Kangaroo Brand" was Sherrin's best-selling, highest-quality, and most favoured and traditional football. Endorsements Sherrin is the official brand of football used by the Australian Football League, which has been the case since the 1880s. At the state level, Sherrin is used in the Victorian Football League and many local competitions. The other major brand of football is Burley-Sekem, which is used at state level in the South Australian National Football League and West Australian Football League. Illegal child labour stitching footballs After a 12-month-long investigation, The Saturday Age, a Melbourne newspaper, claimed that "two of Australia's best-known football brands, Sherrin and Canterbury, have operations in India that use banned child labour." The children took an hour to make one AFL ball and were paid 7 rupees (A$0.12) per ball, amounting to $1 a day. That claim was in direct contradiction to the company website that claimed the balls were made in Scoresby, Victoria. A follow-up investigation by Fairfax Media in September 2013 revealed that another brand of rugby ball was being stitched using illegal child labour in Jalandhar, Punjab, for sale in Australia. See also List of companies of Australia List of oldest companies in Australia References External links 1880 establishments in Australia Australian companies established in 1880 Companies established in 1880 Sportswear brands Australian rules football Sporting goods manufacturers of Australia Australian brands Companies based in Melbourne Australian rules football guernsey