Girls’ sports uniforms may be contributing to high dropout rates
Girls are dropping out of sport at high rates as they move from tweens to teens and a new study is looking to see if uniforms are part of the problem.
Victoria
Don't miss out on the headlines from Victoria. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A study will look at girls’ sports uniforms for school and clubs and whether they fuel body image issues, contributing to teens quitting sport.
Participation rates among girls aged 12 to 14 decrease markedly. By the time they are 14, girls’confidence levels are 27 per cent lower than boys, Confidence Code for Girls by Ypulse found.
Puberty plays a role and other research has pointed to girls feeling they are not good enough or busy with homework, but the Victoria University research will run the ruler of sports uniforms.
Victoria University will ask girls aged 12 to 18 years whether uniforms undermine confidence to participate.
“Specifically, we want to know the aspects of the uniform that make girls feel comfortable and ready to perform,” Professor Clare Hanlon said.
“We hope the information may help schools and sports clubs make better choices when choosing sport uniforms for girls.”
Funded by the Office for Women in Sport and Recreation and in collaboration with School Sport Victoria, findings will generate an online guide for schools and sports clubs. It is open to all girls whether they are playing sport or not
Prof. Hanlon said while there were fantastic sports programs in and out of schools, a key barrier may be whether girls felt ready to participate or comfortable in uniforms that may be too tight, poorly cut or make sweat stains prominent.
The use of white material in shorts and leggings was an issue as menstruating teens might feel uncomfortable or the fabric might reveal their underwear or be unflattering.
“We will listen to the voice of girls and base the guide on what they need to make them feel confident,” she said.
Examples include football jumpers which are often unisex but have gaping holes that make girls self conscious that people can see their bras.
Prof. Hanlon said an answer might include allowing T-shirts or long sleeve tops under the jumpers.
“Discovering what women and girls need to feel comfortable and confident in sports uniforms is vital to assist them to feel ready to become physically active. Choice is important,” she said.
Girls Uniform Agenda’s co-founder Simone Carris praised the study for seeking input from girls.
“It will help guide the selection of girls uniforms for sporting codes as well as schools. Our expectation is that, once the research is completed, schools will look at the data to help guide decision making around formal school uniforms as well as sports uniforms,” she said.
“School aged girls have long been telling us that they want choice. The choice of comfortable and suitable pants and shorts, as usually it is those options that are not always available to girls.”
If you are a girl aged 12 to 18 do the survey.
MORE NEWS:
WHO ARE DROMANA’S NEW MYSTERY MILLIONAIRES?
QUEEN VIC MARKET HIGH-RISE WILL BE A RENTER’S DELIGHT