Why the perfect fit is vital for girls' success
The right sports bra can make or break young women's experiences in football. A roadshow has taken that message to the masses, writes Hannah Duncan.
Original article from Women’s Soccer Coaching Magazine, January 2023 issue. www.womenssoccercoaching.com
Access to sports bras is an all too often overlooked barrier to girls' participation in sport. In the last few months, UK grassroots organisation Girls Super League London, the Football Association and Nike have come together to run sports bra roadshows at venues across England. The sessions gave girls the opportunity to learn about sports bras and try them on to ensure the right fit. We asked Maya Williamson, from Girls Super League London, all about the roadshow...
WSC: Tell us a bit about the sports bra roadshows and the idea behind them.
MW: The 2022 Sports Bra Roadshow series was a joint project created by Nike and the Football Association, in collaboration with Girls Super League London.
Unfortunately, statistics show that a high percentage of girls are not active enough, and there is also an increase in girls dropping out of sports around puberty. Some of the key factors affecting participation include anxiety about appearance and the discomfort of ill-fitting sports kit.
The goal of the Sports Bra Roadshows was to educate grassroots coaches and clubs about body image, and empower young female athletes with the knowledge around how to find the right fit for a sports bra and how sports bras can impact on-field performance.
WSC: How many roadshows have there been so far and what has uptake been like?
MW: In 2022, Nike and Girls Super League London hosted the Sports Bra Roadshow
in three cities across the UK - Liverpool, Leicester and London. In total, there were more than 220 girls and 60 coaches from 18 grassroots clubs involved in the roadshows.
It was incredible to see all the individuals and communities that have made it a priority to ensure that girls have access to football, and their dedication to creating the best possible environment for these players.
WSC: Who were the roadshows aimed at?
MW: They were aimed at girls between the ages of 10 and 14 who play at grassroots clubs.
As these players are going through puberty and seeing their bodies begin to change, it is important to support them in this transition so they can feel as confident and comfortable as possible.
The roadshows also included workshops for coaches and club welfare officers to equip them with the resources necessary to support the young players in their community.
Participating clubs included Nike partner clubs and other grassroots clubs affiliated through the local county FA.
WSC: What was included in the roadshows?
MW: All grassroots coaches and club welfare officers took part in workshops facilitated by Prof Phillippa Diedrichs, a research psychologist and expert on body-image and mental health. Her interactive session focused on body development and body confidence for girls going through puberty, and how a good sports bra can make or break their experience. Prof Diedrichs also developed a Sports Bra Playbook, which was distributed to all coaches at the roadshows.
Meanwhile, players were guided through the process of fitting their sports bra. First, they learned about the three different types of sports bras: compression, encapsulation, and hybrid. Then, players were taught the 'size + sport = support' formula, which considers a player's standard bra size, as well as the activity, and whether the athlete's movements are considered light, medium or high impact. As football is a high impact sport, encapsulation or hybrid sports bras are the best choice.
Finally, the girls tried on various sports bras and checked the fit of the underband, cups and shoulder straps. Each player received a free Nike sports bra and got to personalise it with their initials at the Nike customisation station.
The roadshow concluded with a mini seven- a-side tournament, with special prizes for the winning team.
WSC: To what extent are sports bras a barrier for girls’ participation in football?
MW: According to the World Health Organisation, only 15% of girls aged 11-17 get enough exercise as they should. Some of the reasons for this include concerns about the way they look, unrealistic beauty ideals, and uncomfortable or objectifying sports kit. By providing girls with the skills to choose the right sports bra for their bodies, they will feel more comfortable and supported. The right sports bra can help with body confidence - and girls with positive body image are not only more likely to stay in sport, but also do better at school and have higher self-esteem."
WSC: What are the plans for the future of the roadshows?
MW: Looking ahead, Girls Super League is excited about further projects collaborating with Nike to address barriers to girls' participation in football. The effort to educate players and coaches about puberty for female athletes is ongoing. There is potential for the Sports Bra Roadshow to continue in 2023, with the momentum around the Women's World Cup. Future projects might also focus on menstrual cycles and hormones, and how this impacts athletic performance.
Tips for removing barriers to young girls accessing sport
Research shows that coaches can have both a positive and negative impact on girls’ body image. This means they have a significant opportunity to instil body confidence. Here are some of the steps Maya says coaches can take to keep up girls' participation in football:
EDUCATE THEMSELVES
"Coaches should understand that puberty and breast development can happen any time from age 8-13. Normalise and celebrate diverse body types, and ensure that players see a range of body types represented. Coaches should also be informed about the different styles and types of sports bras in order to help girls access the right apparel and equipment."
BUILD A SUPPORT SYSTEM
"Coaches can do this by communicating with players' families in discussions about puberty. Encourage families to share relevant information at home, and help them understand why puberty is an important time for female athletes. Clubs should also be mindful of religion and culture, and be aware that it's not always appropriate to openly discuss these topics. It's good practice to make this information accessible in other ways, such as through handouts."
CREATE A SAFE AND INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT
"Coaches should commit to cutting out 'body talk'. This means no comments about appearance that reinforce beauty standards - not even compliments. A good rule is to focus on what players' bodies can do, not what their bodies look like. It can also be helpful to identify a female coach or mentor that players can trust to include in conversations about body image and development."