
Tips for Choosing the Right Netball Kit
Netball is a popular sport for girls all over the world. As a sport that is not only played in schools, but also up to professional Super league level, netball is an activity that not only requires the dedication and skill of many other team games such as football and rugby, but also necessitates the perfect kit too.
As any sports player will confirm, wearing the right sports clothes can make an enormous difference not only to the player’s enjoyment of the game, but also to their performance too. This is especially true in more dynamic sports such as netball, as running, turning and jumping all require certain design features in each garment.
The essentials for netball players basically include two different options: netball dresses, or a netball top and skirt or skort. As an alternative to skirts and skorts it is also possible to buy netball shorts or pants, although many teams prefer skirts for a number of reasons.
One of these is that they can allow a greater range of movement than shorts do, and can also be far more comfortable. Netball is a dynamic sport, and plenty of running and jumping is required. Having a skirt means that it is very easy to move freely during the game, which is a main reason why this garment is such a popular choice.
One modern alternative is the skort, which is a blend of the skirt and a pair of shorts. This provides a greater level of flexibility than just plain shorts, and at the same time it can also provide more comfort and ease on the court. The reason for this is that there are no special sports undergarments required, which are necessary when wearing a skirt.
Netball vests and shirts make up another important part of this duo, perfectly complimenting the skort or the skirt. With these items, length is very important, as items that are too long can be uncomfortable and restrictive, and items that are too short can ride up, making them equally uncomfortable and impractical.
If opting for a skirt and top combination, care should be taken to choose a garment for the lower body that balances comfort and ease of movement, whilst length is a top consideration for garments worn on the upper body.
The main alternatives to this are netball dresses, which seamlessly integrate a top and bottom garment into one item that is easy to wear and fully flexible to allow for the greatest range of movement. Again, length is an important consideration here, and often netball dresses will need to be tailored to the height of each girl on the netball team.
These will also require the purchase of special shorts and underwear for beneath the dresses for ultimate comfort. Regardless of this, dresses remain the most popular choice on the court for their high level of comfort and their suitability for the dynamism of the game – they also can make for some fantastic and unique-looking uniforms.
Regardless of the selection of garments chosen, the type of fabric is very important to select carefully, as it will affect every netball player’s performance during the game. Many fabrics are synthetic blends, which is a reasonable choice considering their lightweight nature and ability to regulate moisture, with added flexibility being a bonus.
They are not the only options on the market however, and your choice should be made based upon you and your team’s needs and preferences, as well as what is available within your budget from your chosen retailer and manufacturer.
Fit is also important – as mentioned above in regards to length – and choosing items that are not too snug nor too loose will also mean that netball players perform as best they can, whether they are wearing a dress or a vest and shorts.