Hockey must leave the past and move towards a future where the skort doesn’t appear to be the only option, writes LAURA HOWARD
Skorts are still perceived as the only option for the majority of women’s hockey teams. Tess Howard has found that this lack of choice deters women and girls from getting involved in sport, particularly those looking to pick up a stick for the first time. “All we need is choice, genuine choice,” she says.
The England and Great Britain hockey player has researched the impact of gendered school sport uniforms on girls’ participation and enjoyment of sport. Shockingly, she found 3 in 4 women have seen young girls drop out of sport due to sports kit and body image concerns. Howard was instrumental in a change to regulations on playing kit last summer that aimed to enable players to feel more comfortable on-pitch.
Continue reading...
Unlock our premium content and get use of our app. Use coupon OLYMPICS1 to get all our exclusive Olympic coverage until 31st August for only £6.49.
Simply select Monthly or Yearly subscription and use coupon OLYMPICS1 when prompted.
Already a subscriber to our website? Login
Brilliant article which I totally agree with. I am far more comfortable wearing a pair of shorts and wear these for training. Given the choice, I would go for short’s every time. I have looked at many hockey suppliers for the women’s equivalent on their kit list, but find that only men’s are available. It would be great to see the change & for club, senior & masters teams to put this option on the table.
Never understood from a performance POV why shorts arent the dominant form.
My club has just gone through procurement of new kit and the availability of a women’s hockey short was one of our requirements. We already have women players who wear shorts, but we want them to have the option of club shorts with the new kit
Shorts, skirts and skorts are all part of our new uniform. Let’s women relax and stop thinking about anything except the game.
Of course everyone should be allowed to choose between wearing shorts, skorts or skirts.
If your usual supplier does not have womens’ shorts and you want to wear shorts, go to http://www.rhino.direct.
Rhino have been supplying womens’ rugby shorts for years.