A staggering 64 percent of girls abandon sports by the age of 16, prompting an uncomfortable question: are ill-fitting uniforms to blame? For female athletes, the issue extends beyond aesthetics, as poorly designed kit can exacerbate insecurities, fuel anxiety, and even trigger online abuse. However, change is underway.
Athletes' voices are being heard, and manufacturers and governing bodies are responding with more inclusive kit options. England Netball international Razia Quashie has witnessed the impact of these changes firsthand. This season, London Mavericks became the first Super League team to introduce a range of kit options, offering players greater choice beyond the traditional netball dress. The move has been transformative for Quashie, who no longer feels forced to wear a dress that makes 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," Quashie explained. Her teammate Izzi Phillips echoed this sentiment, 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 their efforts. Loughborough Lightning has also introduced greater kit choice, with captain Nat Panagarry highlighting the need for comfort and flexibility in athletic wear. "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 noted.
The issue of ill-fitting kit is not unique to netball. In rugby union, England international Sadia Kabeya has developed a satin-lined scrum cap to protect hair on the playing field. "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," Kabeya said.
As the sports industry continues to evolve, it is clear that inclusive kit options are essential for promoting comfort, confidence, and participation among female athletes.