A KICK-to-kick in the corridor sparked an idea that Ballarat’s Mick Russell has launched nationwide during AFL finals.
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Now, the football-shaped balloon is about to tap into the huge, lucrative American NFL and college football markets.
Mr Russell, now based in Melbourne, discovered that nowhere in the world did a company make specifically oval shaped balloons.
The graphic designer, who did his apprenticeship with The Courier, had been kicking a footy with his football-obsessed son Jarvis, then aged 3½, outside in winter one day. When the day grew too cold, they moved their game inside.
Mr Russell blew up a red balloon and drew on Sherrin markings. His Tiger-tragic son loved it and his kicking skills quickly improved.
Sherrin loved the idea and so began Mr Russell’s quest to source a factory to make the football balloon. He ended up in Mexico.
Coles supermarkets jumped on board and the novelty balloon has been selling fast this AFL finals series. The balloons sold out in Ballarat.
Mr Russell’s company Replica Sports Balloons has secured licences with the AFL, Sherrin, NRL, Steeden (rugby) and Arsenal Football Club. Next year RSB plans to launch the football balloons in different team colours.
“There’s endless opportunities,” Mr Russell said. “It’s such a simple idea and it’s an endless idea.”
Jarvis, now six, still loves kicking about the football balloon he helped create.
