Women from diverse backgrounds will be able to wear cultural and religious clothing when participating in sports, thanks to a new set of uniform guidelines unveiled in Perth on Wednesday.
The new uniform options have been rolled out across seven sporting codes in Western Australia - including AFL, gymnastics, football and cricket.
It is a change that was needed, according to WA Minister for Sport and Recreation Mick Murray, who noted coaches and associations wanted these options to help build inclusiveness.
"For some, it was about the embarrassment for people turning up and saying 'I want to wear long sleeves or long pants' in a sport that traditionally didn't have that," Mr Murray said.
"That pushed people away and certainly caused some [anxiousness for] the person that wanted to play."
The new outfits give options on leggings, long-sleeved tops and head coverings that were not addressed in existing uniform guidelines, allowing female competitors to move comfortably and safely while still respecting their culture and religion.
The full collection of uniform options across the 7 sports. Players have the choice of how much or how little they wear. Source: WA Department of Sports and Recreation
It was a change inspired by a similar move from the Royal Life Saving Society in 2016 when they introduced new guidelines for multicultural swimwear that included headcovering options for swimmers.
Maceray Kamara modelled the outfits for the new guidelines and says the new clothing options will help give girls from diverse cultural backgrounds an opportunity they otherwise would have missed out on.
"Although there was no-one telling me that I can't wear this, I didn't see a reflection of myself, like people from the same religion as me or dressed like me," Ms Kamara said.
"I think this will help the families who have told their kid that they can't play a sport to understand that it's okay. It doesn't matter what your gender is or what you wear, you can play sport."
Football West's Head of Development Jamie Harnwell says he is happy to see some of the perceived barriers to multicultural players being addressed.
Football West's new Multicultural Female Uniform options allow for cultural and religious garments. Source: Football West / WA State Government
"We've got some really good numbers throughout our multicultural groups and we work very strongly with them," Mr Harnwell said.
"But to provide this opportunity now for those young girls to wear clothes that they're comfortable with, to be able to train and do so without any fear of problems with referees or clubs, it's a huge boost.
"We know for the majority of people who arrive in Australia, soccer or football is their number one sport from their homeland, it's a great tie back to their cultural links."
Several community and culturally and liguistically diverse (CALD) groups in WA were consulted in the creation of the guidelines, including institutions like the Australian Islamic College.
Football West are hoping the new uniforms will encourage more women into the sport. Source: SBS
Heba Ridha is a physical education teacher at the college's Thornlie campus, in Perth's southeast, and says her students are excited by the prospect of joining clubs while wearing their preferred clothing.
"It's not just for Muslim girls, it can be for any girl who chooses to wear modest dress," Ms Ridha said.
"The girls who wear the hijab also can feel as though they can take part and enjoy their sport, feeling part of the team, because uniform is part of the team spirit."
It is hoped the WA guidelines will inspire other states and territories to introduce their own diversity uniform options and encourage great sports participation in the multicultural community.
