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Women and Girls - Diversity and Belonging

Women and Girls - Diversity and Belonging

Netball has been unapologetically “hers” since its inception more than a hundred years ago; a mark of distinction unparalleled in any other sport. For the best part of a century, the netball family has worked alongside England Netball to create opportunities for women and girls to get on court and experience the thrill of the game for themselves. This has resulted in over 2.5 million women and girls flourishing in the game each year, and countless stories that collectively point to one thing: netball changes lives.

NETBALLHer is here to raise the bar for women and girls through the creation of expert resources, game changing learning offers and by being a strong and responsible voice for “her”. It is not a standalone project or initiative, it is the essence of our game.

When you hear ‘netball kit’ you likely think of a dress, synonymous with our sport for so many years. In recent times and following significant research and advocacy, we now recognise that what is a symbol of our sport to some is a barrier to others. In fact, some 71% of teenage girls will stop exercising during their period (Women in Sport, 2024). We are therefore proud to offer inclusive kit guidance and a range of other advice below.

Women’s sport is on the rise. We are so proud of our successful female sporting teams; but think of all the girls we have lost to kit problems. It’s not a girl issue, it’s systemic in society and it’s a simple fix: choice. The data shows simply expanding sports kit flexibility and choice increases comfort in sport and the likelihood of long-term participation.

Tess Howard MBE, Former England Hockey Player and Founder of Inclusive Sportswear

Domestic Kit Guidance
We believe everyone should feel confident, comfortable, and empowered in what they wear on court. View Guidance
London Mavericks Inclusive Kit in the NSL
In 2025 London Mavericks launched a ground-breaking Choice kit range, giving players across all age range squads a variety of kit options to ensure they are comfortable and confident on court. Find out More
Bras & Kit Advice NETBALLHer
We all train at our best when we’re wearing clothes and shoes that fit well – this includes bras. We have solutions for all women (big or small) at every life stage. NETBALLHer Website
Inclusive Sportswear Charter
England Netball has committed to advocate, educate and deliver inclusive sportswear policy and practice through the Inclusive Sportswear Charter.Find Out More
Delivering a Safe Experience
Tailoring our delivery to meet the needs of the local community. Details have been anonymised at their request.
Key Consideration
We know that safety is a core concern for women and girls, creating a significant barrier to participation in sport and physical activity. A 2025 study by Girlguiding found that 86% of women and girls aged 11-21 avoided going out after dark to stay safe. 48% shared that they never go out after dark. Girls of colour are more likely to avoid going out at night or when it’s dark (56% compared to 45% of white girls), further entrenching existing inequalities.
Background
Women and girls in the local area had reported that they feel unsafe accessing and exercising in their local park. We worked with the Council and a local Parks Charity to identify a park with an accessible netball court. Funding was sourced from the Charity alongside a Crowdfunding drive. Once raised, it was used to pay for 10 weeks of netball coaching for local women and girls in the park, equipment, a Level 2 coaching course for a participant and first aid/ safeguarding training.
Outcome
49 women took part, 39 of these were New to Netballers. 1 participant has completed her L2 qualification. She had recently graduated and was unemployed and was looking to upskill to gain employment in sport. Local people reported that it was nice to see women and girls participating regularly. We finished with a fundraiser for the local Women's Safe Space and participants donated items for the Women's Night Bus. Due to the success of the project, the Council are now installing netball markings on all Multi-Use Games Areas (MUGA) in their area.
What we Learned
Accessing the Crowdfunding platform was a learning curve but it was a great way to generate both financial support and interest in the project. Operationally, the hardest part was logistics, getting the posts and equipment into the car and across a park. The coach used the 'PeopleSafe' app which helped them feel safer delivering the project as a lone worker.

Women in Sport

Founded in 1984, Women in Sport is the longest-standing charity in its field with a proud history of securing change for women and girls. At its heart lies a deep understanding of the needs of women and girls and a passion to address the stubborn gender inequalities that still exist.

Much of the insight you will find throughout the Knowledge Centre has been published by Women in Sport with a range of partners, including England Netball, across the sector.

 

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Women in Sport - April 2026
Women in Sport’s research, supported by Metro Bank, explores why girls-only options matter – and what needs to change to close the team sport gap.

Of the 13 sports analysed:

  • 9 had lower participation rates for girls

  • Only 1 in 6 opportunities to play sport were just for girls

  • Only 20% of team sport opportunities were girls only

  • Only 27% of contact sport opportunities were girls only

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Women in Sport - May 2021
Women in Sport examined every aspect of women’s lives over a five-month period to fully understand their experiences of menopause and physical activity and uncover the barriers that women experience to being active throughout midlife and menopause. They focused specifically on women in lower socioeconomic groups because they face additional barriers and are less likely to be active, and spoke exclusively to inactive women who had either lapsed from being active previously or had never enjoyed being active.

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Women in Sport and Sport England - August 2018

In 2017-18, Women in Sport conducted qualitative research to explore whether coming to terms with puberty is having a long-term impact on how girls engage with sport and to identify the key barriers and issues girls face during this time.

The report covers these findings and how perceptions of sport change as girls move through puberty.

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