A staggering 64 percent of girls abandon sports by the age of 16, prompting an uncomfortable question: Is it any wonder they're dropping out when they're forced to wear ill-fitting, uncomfortable kit? For female athletes, the issue extends beyond aesthetics, as poorly fitting kit can exacerbate insecurities, fuel anxiety, and even lead to online abuse. However, change is finally underway.
Athletes' voices are being heard, and manufacturers and governing bodies are responding by introducing inclusive kit choices, challenging traditional norms, and aiming to reverse the decline in female participation. England Netball international Razia Quashie has witnessed the impact of these changes firsthand, noting that the introduction of varied kit options has been transformative for her and the next generation. Quashie, who has won 29 caps for England, emphasized the importance of comfort and confidence in sports attire, stating, '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.' Her teammate Izzi Phillips, just 20 and already one of England's brightest prospects, echoed this sentiment, saying, '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.' London Mavericks, Quashie's team, has become the first Super League team to introduce a range of kit options, offering players choices beyond the traditional netball dress. This move has been welcomed by players, including Nat Panagarry, captain of Loughborough Lightning, who noted, '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.' The introduction of inclusive kit is not limited to netball; other sports, such as football, hockey, and rugby union, are also adopting female-specific attire. England international Sadia Kabeya, for example, has developed a satin-lined scrum cap to protect hair on the playing field, providing a sense of freedom and comfort for female players. As Kabeya explained, '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.' The shift towards inclusive kit choices is a crucial step in promoting female participation in sports, addressing the significant drop-off in participation among girls and young women.
By providing comfortable, confidence-boosting attire, sports organizations can help remove barriers and encourage girls to stay in sports, fostering a love for the game that will last a lifetime.