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
Today, young women are three times more likely than men to experience common mental health problems. In 1993, they were twice as likely. Rates of self-harm amongst young women have tripled since 1993, and today’s young women are three times more likely than young men to experience post-traumatic stress disorder. Young women and girls from disadvantaged groups face the greatest risks, and those who have more than one risk factor (for example, black transgender women) bear a particularly complex set of challenges.
Mental Health Foundation
Click on the image above to find out more about common mental health challenges synonymous with puberty, pregnancy & postnatal, and menopause, and we bend its themes towards the experiences of active girls and women.
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.
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.