Wrexham is currently on its inaugural tour of Australia and New Zealand. The Welsh team is set to join the championship in the 2025-26 season but first will face three A-League clubs across three cities during their preseason tour.
Phil Parkinson, Ryan Reynolds, Rob Mc and the rest of the team are closely monitoring their journey as they aim for a spot in the Premier League.
Wrexham, “No Sherin’s Control,” Australian Sports Politics
Melbourne, Australia – After a week in Melbourne, Wrexham traveled north to Sydney on Saturday, preparing for a match against Sydney FC on Wednesday. Following their impressive win in Melbourne, where around 40,000 fans attended, Phil Parkinson’s squad is riding a wave of success, but they’ve faced scrutiny regarding their adherence to local regulations, described as “no Sherin’s control.”
For context, “Sherin” refers to a distinctive rectangular ball used in Australian Rules football, named after the company that has crafted kangaroo leather balls since 1880. The term has become popular among Australian football fans, especially when referencing a local team’s quick succession of matches.
The Red Dragons have shown that they are just as susceptible to this phenomenon while touring as powerhouse clubs like Real Madrid or Manchester United. During their visit, they participated in a training session with Hawthorn on Tuesday, followed by a match against Brisbane at Marvel Stadium on Thursday.
Such crossovers happen frequently, illustrating why these clubs are often given nicknames. Local promoters aim to boost visibility and ticket sales, and collaborations with dominant local sports enhance this visibility. This same motive applies to clubs wanting to expand their brands, but local AFL teams stand to benefit greatly from the exposure of these international events.
However, Australian football has a complicated relationship with these dominant local codes, often using their power to marginalize global sports. The interaction between Australian Rules football and foreign soccer offers insights into Australia’s intricate history of identity, migration, assimilation, and multiculturalism. Thus, the presence of these tours alongside regional rivalries complicates the narrative, given the deep-rooted history of football in Australia, which could fill volumes.
The phrase “No Sherin’s Control” also carries a lighter tone, reflecting the irony embedded in its historical context. Tour players and coaches may not fully grasp the implications when they engage in media opportunities, seeing these visits simply as chances to explore new sports and cultures. Importantly, Wrexham certainly acknowledges the Australian game, as evidenced by the Wrexham Foundation conducting clinics with former Australian players Ben Foster and Ben Tozer, reaching out to local clubs and communities.
For soccer fans, the prominence of Australian rules football can be fascinating, especially for newcomers to the sport. During last year’s Arsenal Women’s Tour, the then-coach Jonas Eidevall was captivated by the unique blend of athleticism and tactics the sport offers. Meanwhile, George Evans from Wrexham experienced firsthand the thrill of the AFL during a match where Carlton triumphed over his team 103-66 at Marvel Stadium.
Views and Sounds
37,020 fans inside @marvelstadiumau tonight.
Thank you for the great support
🔴⚪🔴⚪️ #wxmafc pic.twitter.com/w3ww3o6kod
– Wrexham AFC (@wrexham_afc) July 11, 2025
The official attendance of 37,020 at Wrexham’s match against Melbourne Victory surpassed the previous largest crowd for the 2024-25 A-League men’s season by over 4,000.
Today’s Quote
“I saw the game here for the first time, and I absolutely loved it. I didn’t know much about it before coming to Marvel Stadium, but I was captivated throughout.” -Wrexham goal-scorer George Evans on his inaugural experience with AFL.
What’s Next for Wrexham?
In preparation for their match against Sydney FC at Homebush—site of the 2000 Olympics and the recent 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup victory by Spain—the Red Dragons are raising their game. True to their travel traditions, they also plan to visit the iconic Sydney Opera House.
Fan Take: This tour is significant for soccer fans as it introduces a historic club like Wrexham to new audiences, potentially expanding the sport’s footprint in Australia. With the growing interest in football, this could pave the way for increased investment and fans’ engagement, benefiting the sport overall.
