A staggering 64% of girls abandon sports by the age of 16, prompting an uncomfortable question: is it any wonder they're opting out when they're forced to wear ill-fitting, unflattering kit that compromises their confidence? For female athletes, the issue goes beyond aesthetics, as poorly designed kit can amplify insecurities, fuel anxiety, and even trigger online abuse. However, change is finally underway, with athletes' voices being heard and manufacturers responding with inclusive kit choices that challenge traditional norms. England Netball international Razia Quashie has witnessed the impact of these changes firsthand, both personally and for the next generation.
This season, the London Mavericks became the first Super League team to introduce a range of kit options, offering players the freedom to choose beyond the traditional netball dress. The move has been transformative for Quashie, who can now wear leggings, varied-length shorts, skorts, and longer vests in both training and competition. "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," Quashie explained. The issue of restrictive kit is not unique to netball; it's a problem that affects female athletes across various sports.
Izzi Phillips, a 20-year-old England prospect, wants to ensure that young girls are not driven away from sports due to anxieties over their appearance. "We know that 64% 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. "When you're playing sport, we do it because that's what we love, and you shouldn't have to think of anything apart from going on to the court, how do we beat our opposition, or how are we being the best athletes we can be, rather than thinking about how do I look?" The London Mavericks are not alone in their efforts to introduce inclusive kit choices.
Loughborough Lightning has also followed suit, with captain Nat Panagarry highlighting the importance of comfort and self-expression in sports. "In netball, there are so many different body shapes. Everyone's different, so to just put a dress on everyone, some people get it, and it's so short, some people get it, and it's like a tent," Panagarry said. "It's essential that people are able to just go out and feel comfortable in what they're wearing and not have that on their mind.
You're going to play netball; you don't want to worry about having to pull your dress down. If you get photos back, and you see that your shorts are all out, and you think, 'Oh God.' So, I think it is really important that people are feeling comfortable in what they're doing." England Netball's 'I Wish I Knew' campaign, launched last September, aims to tackle the female health knowledge gap, breaking down stigmas and empowering girls to ask questions about female health in an open and honest way. The campaign has been an eye-opener for Mavericks' Kira Rothwell, providing education that young girls need to ensure they do not drop out of sports.
"There's been a big drive on things around pelvic health, period care, menstrual cycle, and learning about it as athletes," Rothwell said. "And even though I'm training to be a doctor, I haven't learned much about that in my training as yet. To have that when I was younger would've been amazing because I know so many girls when we were going through the junior pathways who have to miss time for being in so much pain because of their periods, and there was not really any support around what to do about that other than go on the pill, for example." The netball community is leading the way in promoting inclusivity and comfort in sports, but change is happening elsewhere too.
From female-specific football boots to adjustable sports bras and shorts replacing skorts in hockey, the sports industry is slowly recognizing the need for more diverse and inclusive kit options. In rugby union, England international Sadia Kabeya is pushing innovation from the ground up, producing a satin-lined scrum cap to protect hair on the playing field. "I'm a girl from South London, I'm big on keeping my hair neat, having it look good, and within the kind of afro curly hair community, wearing a satin bonnet or a satin headscarf to protect your curls has always been a huge thing," Kabeya explained.
"So, I thought, how can I combine those two things by putting a simple satin layer in a scrum cap, and I spoke about this idea, and Gilbert said, let's do it." The difference, Kabeya says, is total freedom. "When I have that scrum cap on, I'm completely focused. I don't have to worry about little things that might be in my head.
So, I think for people coming into the game, already in the game, I think it's a huge thing that can just make it a lot easier." As the sports industry continues to evolve, it's essential to prioritize inclusivity, comfort, and self-expression. By providing athletes with kit that makes them feel confident and empowered, we can work towards a future where everyone can participate in sports without fear of judgment or anxiety.
The revolution has begun, and it's time to join the movement.