The new partnership will see Sherrin footballs used across all SANFL male and female competitions, headlined by the Hostplus SANFL Men’s League and Hostpus SANFLW League.
It will be the first time in more than 30 years since the Sherrin has been the official match ball of the SANFL.
The exciting agreement also now ensures SA’s top under-age male and female talent will play with the same ball used in the AFL and AFLW and their annual National Championships.
SANFL Chief Executive Officer Darren Chandler said the SANFL was thrilled to have forged a new partnership with Sherrin which would foster development of South Australia’s elite male and female footballers.
“This is an exciting new partnership which ensures every SANFL competition and program in South Australia is aligned with the AFL official match ball,” Mr Chandler said.
“It will have significant benefits for participants across all levels of football, but particularly in terms of continuity for our elite talent playing in AFL National Championships, and for SANFL and SANFLW players looking to go the next level.”
In addition to Sherrin being used across all State League grades, it will also be the official match ball for National Pharmacies SANFL Juniors – the nation’s largest junior football competition with more than 12,500 players and 60 metropolitan clubs.
All other SANFL-managed competitions and programs, including Novita SANFL Wheelchair Football, ECH & SANFL Walking Footy, Coles Mini League and the Think! Road Safety SA Country Championships will also have the benefit of playing with Sherrin match balls from next year.
It will also align with the Adelaide Footy League and many community football leagues across regional South Australia, as well as AFL Auskick, which will continue to use Sherrin footballs.
Sherrin Managing Director, Chris Lambert said they were extremely proud to be partnering with SANFL and to be expanding its brand footprint in South Australia.
“SANFL and Sherrin share a long history but are also aligned on the future with shared goals to grow the game and make it accessible to participants of all ages and abilities,” Chris said.
“Through this exciting partnership with one of the leading football organisations in the country, together we can supercharge the development and progression of our great game across South Australia.’’
The first Hostplus SANFL League-branded Sherrin football was produced this week, with many more footballs for all SANFL competitions planned for upcoming production at the iconic Victorian manufacturing facility. The same techniques and attention to detail as
T.W Sherrin created and intended more than 140 years ago are essentially used in the production of each football today.
