My child could hold the 16 by 10cm ball with one hand before throwing. The neoprene surface felt forgiving when a catch landed against his arm.

It arrived inflated, so we carried it straight to the shallows. Wet hands gripped the soft outer better than they grip a slippery plastic beach toy.

Near the shore, three of us threw the compact football back and forth. I rinsed away salt and sand before putting it in the car.

Against the sand, the contrast-colour neoprene football was easy to spot after a missed pass. Its 16cm length suited our younger players better than a full-size ball.

Alongside towels, the inflated football fitted into our beach bag. We used it on grass as well as sand, keeping throws away from people resting nearby.