The Steeden Story

The Steeden brand was established in Queensland in 1958 by Ray Steeden to produce leather cricket balls, footballs and boxing bags. Steeden moved to New South Wales in the late 1960's and was acquired by Gray-Nicolls Sports in 1995. Steeden was launched in the UK in 2004, and is now sold nationwide as well as internationally by reputable Gray-Nicolls stockists.

Through continuous introduction of new products and categories, the brand continues to go from strength to strength.

How Steeden Balls are made

	Step 1 Steeden developed a special chemical composition to be used in their match ball; the ingredients are imported from more than 5 different countries and mixed several times before moving to the next stage. The curing can take as long as 3 weeks.
	Step 2 The Steeden Match Ball is then bonded with our own specially designed man made fibres balancing the right amount of tension with shape retention. This material is used in the correct sequence and thickness to provide a ball that is not only soft off the foot, but is able to snap back to the original shape.
	Step 3 Perhaps the most important process is the thermo moulding of the grip. Technological advances enable Steeden to measure to within 0.2 degrees of the baking temperature. It is this precision that allows Steeden to maintain consistency during manufacturing.
	Step 4 The new Steeden Symmetry match ball was created using the latest laser cutting technology available.
	Step 5 Match balls are then carefully cut by highly specialised staff as the match ball starts to take shape.
	Step 6 Each panel is inspected under strict guidelines set by Steeden, meeting weight, shape, printing and balance specifications. Batches of panels are then sent to the in house testing facility prior to stitching.
	Step 7 Steeden balls are then strength tested..
	Step 8 Strength testing is followed by Abrasion / print testing.
	Step 9 Our Stitchers are so specialised that they work on The Steeden Symmetry match balls and no others.
	Step 10 Next, ball measurements take place.
	Step 11 All balls are then inflated for a pre determined time set by Steeden and then Measured and tested for leakage. Before finally being cleaned in a newly developed chemically engineered wash, deflated and shrink wrapped.