A new, more inclusive uniform policy will come into effect in netball leagues across the nation after Netball Australia announced new guidelines last week.
And if you ask some of the most influential netball figures in the Goulburn Valley, there is excitement in the air as to what the change could do for the growth of the game in the region.
The new guidelines will be officially introduced this year and Netball Australia said they would “recognise the various individual preferences and religious beliefs of netballers’’.
As a result, players and umpires will be given more choice as to what they are able to wear on court.
The options provided include dresses, singlets, bodysuits, short sleeve or long sleeve shirts, skirts, shorts and long pants
Goulburn Valley League chair Jacqui Hudgson said the new guidelines were wonderful for netball and all of its players.
“It is great that Netball Australia is embracing diversity and giving people the opportunity to wear things that makes them feel comfortable,” Hudgson said.
“We’ve already had discussion through the year about changing our umpiring uniform and bringing colour into the skirts and shorts rather than being all white.
“So now that Netball Australia has gone down this path, we are very excited to assist clubs in producing uniforms that are more inclusive to all those wanting to play the game.”
One of the major reasons behind setting these guidelines was to help increase participation in the sport, especially at junior level.
Hudgson said she expected to see a rise in participation levels as a result of the less “daunting” uniform requirements.
“You’d absolutely like to think (this would bring more people to netball),” she said.
“Especially for young children just starting out in the game, the little dresses can be quite daunting.
“So to provide opportunities for people to wear shorts and much more appropriate style uniforms, I think it has got to be beneficial for the sport.”
As for what happens now, Hudgson said the league would work closely with all its clubs to iron out a more inclusive uniform policy.
“In our by-laws we’ve got regulations in regards to uniforms that we have taken from the guidelines set out by Netball Australia and Netball Victoria,” she said.
“So we will have to work towards a new set of regulations over the remainder of the off-season which is in line with these new NA guidelines.
“We want to give our clubs the chance to be inclusive with their uniforms and we will assist in whatever way possible.”
The changes have also been welcomed by the league’s playing fraternity.
Seymour playing coach Ellie O’Sullivan said it was fantastic to see NA go down this more inclusive road.
“The more people playing netball that can be comfortable and feel included, the better it is for the sport,” O’Sullivan
“I think it is a great thing that this initiative has been taken and I’m excited to see what it can do for the future of netball.”