Netball's uniform debacle hints at bigger problem for women in sport

The 2026 Commonwealth Games campaign for the Australian Diamonds netball team has been marred by a dress controversy that has drawn more attention than their match results. After winning 99-38 against Tonga, media coverage focused on the uncomfortable and ill-fitting dresses players wore during the games. Players like Sophie Garbin insisted the outfits were fine, but ABC journalist Britt Carter argued that if a player had to adjust their dress more than ten times in a quarter, it could significantly impact their performance.

Research indicates that poor-fitting uniforms are not only detrimental to performance but also contribute to body image issues among adolescent girls, leading some to drop out of sport altogether. Furthermore, concerns about uniforms have been identified as a barrier to participation in sport. A recent survey conducted by the ABC and Deakin University found that 25% of elite Australian female athletes have negative feelings about their body image, while 44% have experienced an eating disorder or disordered eating - figures much higher than the 17% estimated by the Butterfly Foundation for the general population.

O Shannassy, who has previously been diagnosed with anorexia nervosa, shared her struggles with the Swifts' dress in the most recent Super Netball season. She expressed feeling unable to perform and uncomfortable in the dress, highlighting the impact of body image issues on elite athletes. O Shannassy, who is passionate about raising awareness of these challenges, has since trained as an associate nutritionist and runs a business called Tossed Together, focusing on building community understanding of the unique struggles athletes face in a team sport like netball.