Inclusive uniform policies keeping girls engaged with netball

The Traralgon Netball Association’s adoption of inclusive uniforms for its young female players is helping to reverse the decline in participation in the sport.

Disrupted by lockdowns that have impacted community sport over the last 18 months, Association President Deb Archer sees that the new uniform options are encouraging players to stick with netball.

With player numbers in decline, earlier this year the Association changed its uniform policy to include shorts and a top.

Explaining the change, Archer told ABC Gippsland "I know from my own daughter (that) shorts and a t-shirt is pretty standard for what they like to get around in anyway.”

As well as the financial considerations, Archer said in the last few years some parents said their daughters are felt self-conscious in the uniform.

She added “we still retained the flexibility for those clubs that wanted to have the pride in the uniform, and already had the sets (of uniforms) there.

"So it's been it's been well received across the board."

The Traralgon Netball Association’s move follows the publication of two landmark studies in the past year.

Released at the end of 2020, Netball Australia’s State of the Game Review identified player uniforms - the sleeveless dress type that have been worn for decades - as being a potential obstacle to participation.

Establishing a series of key recommendations for the sport, the independent review, led by former Australian captain Liz Ellis, confronted figures that show that over the past 20 years overall participation (as a percentage of population) in netball has declined from 4.5% in 2001 to 2.9% in 2020.

The Review suggested that part of halting this decline, the sport should allow “participants to choose uniforms that cater for different comfort, modesty, cost, and cultural sensitivities”.

In February, research from Victoria University showed that inappropriate and uncomfortable uniforms across many sports were discouraging turning teenage girls and young women from physical activity.

Data released by Victoria University showed that 85% of respondents preferred shorts and t-shirts during outside school sports and 76% wanted their sport uniform to make them feel ready to play.

Highlighting the importance of offering sports uniforms that make young females feel comfortable and confident, the study found that participants want sport apparel that is functional rather than fashionable with the University’s Susan Alberti Women in Sport Chair Professor Clare Hanlon (Institute for Health and Sport), stating “uniforms need to be designed for girls that are the right colour and fit, and are functional.”

The Victoria University survey was a key factor in driving Netball Victoria's push towards more uniform options, according to Jen Camilleri, Affiliate Services Manager at Netball Victoria.

Advising that the organisation hopes by changing the sample by-laws and with a coordinated campaign later this year, more community netball leagues will follow suit in providing alternative uniform options, Camilleri explained “we're calling for administrators and ask for grassroots level to reassess the uniform policies to assist girls feeling comfortable and confident when participating in our sport.”

Part of the push has also been around about how clubs can support players who identify as transgender or gender diverse to feel comfortable playing the sport, with Camilleri telling the ABC, "I've found the last two years, and particularly this year, the number of calls I'm receiving from our associations and leagues, are looking for guidance around how we support a gender-diverse community."

The Catani Football and Netball Club in the Ellinbank league are also looking to include new uniform options for next year including pants and a long-sleeve top to accommodate the weather conditions.

Club President Angela Branbury advised “not long ago, we were up at Neerim South playing in four degrees.

"Young kids running around in a little dress … why we continue to put ourselves through that I'm not quite sure."

While Branbury said says hopes having consistency in what they train and play in might enhance players' performance if they're more comfortable, she noted "it's a unique sort of situation.

"Everyone trains in the tights or the shorts and yet they put on a dress to play."

Images, including the Traralgon Netball Association players in a mix of uniforms (middle) courtesy of Deb Archer.