A staggering 64 percent of girls abandon sports by the age of 16, sparking an uncomfortable question: are ill-fitting uniforms a contributing factor? For female athletes, the issue extends beyond aesthetics, as poorly designed kit can exacerbate insecurity, fuel anxiety, and even lead to online harassment.
However, a revolution is underway, with athletes' voices being heard and manufacturers responding with inclusive, innovative designs. England Netball international Razia Quashie has witnessed this transformation firsthand, with her team, the London Mavericks, introducing a range of kit options, including leggings, varied-length shorts, and longer vests. This shift has been transformative for Quashie, who no longer feels forced to wear dresses that make her uncomfortable.
'What's good for me, as one of the bigger girls, is that comfortability of knowing I don't have to wear a dress when I don't feel comfortable,' she explained. The impact extends beyond Quashie, with her teammate Izzi Phillips emphasizing the importance of removing anxieties and obstacles that prevent girls from participating in sports. 'We know that 64 percent of girls drop out of sport by the age of 16, and we want to keep them in for as long as possible and take away any anxieties that come around that,' Phillips said.
The London Mavericks are not alone in this movement, with other teams, such as Loughborough Lightning, introducing similar initiatives. The shift towards inclusive kit is not limited to netball, with innovations emerging in football, hockey, and rugby union. England international Sadia Kabeya has developed a satin-lined scrum cap to protect hair on the playing field, citing the importance of feeling comfortable and confident while playing. As Kabeya noted, 'Everyone wants to be at their most comfortable when they're playing a sport they love or being able to join a new sport.
The worst thing about picking up a new sport is having to wear something 10 sizes too big.' The revolution in athleisure wear is not only about comfort but also about empowerment, with female athletes taking control of their own needs and driving change. With over 120,000 affiliated members and 1.3 million people playing netball in England, the sport is leading the way, but the impact will be felt across the athletic community, inspiring a new generation of girls to participate in sports without the burden of ill-fitting, uncomfortable kit.