It’s been a huge season for the Horsham District Football Netball League (HDFNL) and Wimmera Football Netball League, which both introduced inclusive uniform policies for the 2022 season. Operations Manager for both the AFL Wimmera Mallee and HDFNL, Jennie French highlighted the positive impact the uniform shift had on those within the community.
“This year both leagues expanded their uniform policy – traditionally there’s always been the dress, now there’s also the option of shorts with a singlet or a t-shirt. The idea was to encourage participation and assist players in feeling comfortable and confident when they’re playing netball,” she said.
After missing community netball for the past two years, both leagues wanted to ensure that everyone could return to netball and the increase in their range of uniform options proved successful.
“We’ve seen people return to netball that had stopped playing netball because they weren’t comfortable,” French said.
“Numbers were declining in a lot of places, but this change has seen the return of some players to the region which has been fantastic. It’s given people the confidence to play in what they’re comfortable in.”
French noted that both HDFNL and WFNL’s Boards decided that introducing an inclusive uniform policy would encourage more participants to get back into the sport that they love.
“In line with Netball Victoria’s updated uniform guidelines it was both the Boards that brought about these proposed changes, which they then presented to their clubs and they were voted in,” she said.
“The Boards have given their clubs flexibility in what they introduce, so they’ve had the option of the shorter shorts or the longer ones, whether they wanted t-shirts or singlets.
“It’s club by club so it allows them to tailor to what their players want, and it’s not a team decision, it’s an individual one. You can have six people on the court in a dress and one wearing shorts and a t-shirt, or any combination.”
French emphasised not only the work the Boards have done in making this change possible, but also the role of clubs in ensuring that everyone within their netball community feels welcomed and comfortable to make their own choice in what they wear out on court.
“Credit has to go to the clubs because they’ve implemented this change. They were happy to go through the process and get something made up even if it was just for one player – all of the clubs voted the change in, there was a strong support from all clubs and they all thought it was a fantastic idea.”
With the uniform policy only occurring this year, several clubs have already made the change with many more on board for the upcoming season.
“We’ve seen a number of clubs in each league take it up straight away. There’s definitely interest and more clubs have got designs approved for next season. If that gets one extra person feeling confident and comfortable while they’re playing netball, or it gets them back to netball, that’s a win for everybody,” French said.
The change in policy has also prompted renewed interest and participation as potential players feel more comfortable to choose from the available uniform options.
“Some of the clubs were struggling with numbers but as soon as that change was announced, they knew there were two or three players that they could go to that would sign on that previously hadn’t been comfortable in a dress.
“We’ve seen one club in particular that’s had a few players return to the sport after sitting out, and they’ve had two players that had never played before take up the sport once we changed the uniforms because they were comfortable wearing shorts and a singlet.”
French highlighted how the changes also cater for those who have varying backgrounds in the region to ensure that netball is accessible for all.
“It’s not just about feeling comfortable and confident – the variations also make netball more accessible for people with medical, religious or cultural reasons.”
French is incredibly proud of what the HDFNL and WFNL have implemented as it’s helping to empower members of their communities and drive participation in community sport.
“It’s great for both leagues because it shows that they’re moving with the times, they’re being inclusive of all players and hopefully that increases player participation.”
“If this change gets one person back playing netball then we’ve done our job,” she said.
Learn more about Netball Australia’s inclusive uniform policy.
