The statistics are sobering: roughly 64 percent of girls stop playing sport by the time they turn 16. Such a steep drop‑off forces us to ask a difficult question – are we, perhaps inadvertently, pushing young athletes away?
One glaring factor is the uniform itself. For many female athletes, the traditional kit – often a one‑size‑fits‑all dress – is neither comfortable nor flattering. It can feel like a constant reminder of how the sport’s apparel has failed to keep pace with the diversity of bodies that play it. When a piece of clothing does not fit properly, the consequences go far beyond a simple aesthetic inconvenience.
An ill‑suited uniform can amplify insecurities, heighten anxiety, and even provoke online harassment that focuses on a player’s body rather than her performance. Young women may find themselves defending choices they never made, such as the length of a skirt or the visibility of undergarments, while trying to concentrate on the game. This environment creates a barrier that discourages continued participation.
Fortunately, the tide is turning. Athletes are speaking out, and manufacturers, leagues, and governing bodies are finally listening.
Inclusive kit options are being introduced, long‑standing dress codes are being questioned, and there is a growing belief that the alarming attrition rate highlighted by Women in Sport two years ago can be reversed. Take England Netball star Razia Quashie as a vivid example.
This season, the London Mavericks became the first Super League side to offer a menu of kit choices rather than a single, mandatory dress. Players can now select from leggings, various lengths of shorts, skorts, and longer vests for both training and match play.
For Quashie – a larger‑framed athlete with 29 England caps – the impact has been transformative. "For a bigger girl like me, it’s a relief to know I don’t have to force myself into a dress that makes me uncomfortable," Quashie told Sky Sports. "Outside of match day I’m in leggings all year round, rain or shine.
Working in a school, I see that 58 percent of the girls want better PE kits – many feel uneasy in skorts. Being able to model a more inclusive option is powerful." Quashie’s experience underscores how restrictive kit can erode confidence. In earlier seasons, the standard dress often exposed her under‑shorts, drawing unwanted attention and harsh comments on social media.
"I didn’t have a choice – the kit was handed to me," she recalled. "When you’re bigger, seeing that exposure is painful. It creates a hostile space for anyone who doesn’t fit the narrow template." Her teammate, 20‑year‑old rising star Izzi Phillips, echoes the sentiment. "We know 64 percent of girls quit by 16.
Our job is to remove any anxiety that pushes them away. When you’re on the court you should only be thinking about tactics and performance, not how your outfit looks or feels. Removing that barrier lets girls stay for the love of the sport." The Mavericks are not alone in this shift. Loughborough Lightning launched a similar range of options ahead of the new campaign, prompting captain Nat Panagarry to comment, "Netball includes every body shape.
A single dress can be a tent for some and a crop for others. Players need to feel comfortable without worrying about pulling their uniform down or exposing themselves on camera." Teammate Beth Durant added that tight, ill‑fitting shorts can "get in my head" and affect concentration. She prefers longer shorts that allow her to move confidently, whether she’s training, hitting the gym, or out for a run. "Comfort translates into confidence, and that’s what many women and girls are seeking." Beyond clothing, England Netball’s "I Wish I Knew" campaign, launched last September, tackles the broader female‑health knowledge gap.
It encourages open dialogue about menstrual health, pelvic wellbeing, and related topics that have traditionally been shrouded in stigma. Mavericks’ Kira Rothwell, who is studying medicine, explained how vital this education is: "We learned about period care and pelvic health only recently, but many junior players miss training because of pain and lack of support.
Providing that knowledge early could keep countless girls in the game." With over 120,000 affiliated members and 1.3 million participants in England, netball is leading the charge, but the movement extends to other sports. Female‑specific football boots, adjustable sports bras, and the replacement of skorts with shorts in hockey are all part of a broader push for inclusive design. In rugby union, England international Sadia Kabeya has pioneered a satin‑lined scrum cap to protect afro‑curly hair on the field.
She explained, "In my community, we protect our curls with satin bonnets. Adding a satin layer to a scrum cap lets me keep my hair neat and stay focused on the game." Kabeya believes such innovations do more than solve a practical problem; they signal that sport can accommodate diverse identities.
"When girls see equipment that reflects them, they feel they belong. That sense of belonging is crucial for retaining participation, especially for young Black girls who often lack visible role models." The message is clear: offering choice and respecting individuality in kit design can dramatically improve comfort, confidence, and ultimately, retention of female athletes. By listening to players, expanding uniform options, and addressing health education, sports organisations are building an environment where girls can thrive well beyond the age of 16.
The revolution in kit choice is not just about fashion – it is a pivotal step toward a more inclusive, supportive, and sustainable future for women’s sport.