Nhill’s Wayne Batson has turned his passion for football and storytelling into a newly published book, The Ring-Ins.

The comedy follows a ragtag group of ageing footballers who decide to drag themselves off the couch and back onto the field. What begins as a light-hearted comeback quickly turns into a headache for their coach, who struggles each week to cobble together a team from an ever-changing cast of characters. The tale celebrates the humour, drama and camaraderie of grassroots football, featuring several familiar names from Nhill, including Sean Bayzand, Brad Clark, Adam Bound and Mark Schuppan.

Batson’s love of writing began at Nhill College, where he would hand in weekend sports reports as English homework. Years later, while coaching and playing in a social side in Adelaide, he found himself surrounded by colourful personalities and endless excuses. Inspired by comedian Tom Siegert’s The Suburban Footballer, Batson began jotting down his own team’s antics, embellishing some for extra laughs. Within six months he had enough material to craft a book.

With the help of his sister Georgia, who designed the cover, Batson self-published the work—purchasing an ISBN, registering with libraries, and arranging printing and distribution himself. “It was a great experience becoming a self-published author and something absolutely anyone even thinking about it can do,” he said.

To launch the book, Batson teamed up with Siegert, booking him for a comedy night in Adelaide that drew around 80 people. He even took to the stage himself for a stand-up set, sharing the spotlight with the Suburban Footballer.

The Ring-Ins is available locally at the Nhill Free Press & Kaniva Times office and the Nhill & District Sporting Club bar, or online via Amazon.

This article appeared in Nhill Free Press & Kaniva Times, 20 August 2025.