Breaking Barriers: Volleyball NSW’s Inclusive Uniform Options

This season, Volleyball NSW introduced a significant change to its Super League program: giving athletes the choice between traditional spandex shorts and leggings. The move aimed to promote comfort, confidence, and inclusivity across all levels of play.

Uniforms have long been a topic of discussion in sports, with many athletes expressing the need for options that respect personal preferences, cultural considerations, and body confidence. By offering leggings as an alternative, Volleyball NSW is taking steps toward creating a more welcoming environment for everyone.

Why Choose Tights?

For some athletes, the choice to wear tights goes beyond style—it’s about feeling comfortable and empowered on the court.

NSW veteran Grace Leo explained why she opted for leggings this season:

“For me, it’s a mix of personal comfort and my Samoan background. Growing up, modesty was something my family really valued, so having the option to wear longer tights just feels more natural for me. It’s a meaningful choice that makes me feel more like myself and more comfortable stepping onto the court.” — Grace Leo

Phoenix middle blocker Adjani Zahra also prioritised comfort and performance in her decision:

“I come from a Muslim country, where most people I play with would never wear tight shorts for either religious or respectful reasons. I also felt that the front seam on the shorts wasn’t always the most comfortable for certain women like myself. Besides that, I really enjoy wearing leggings when playing, so I decided to wear them in some games where it wasn’t too warm.” — Adjani Zahra

Photo Credit: Rogue Gun Photography

Comfort and Confidence

Uniforms play a crucial role in how athletes feel during high-pressure games. Comfort often translates into confidence—and confidence can directly impact performance.

For Jihee Yi, choosing leggings was all about prioritising performance:

“Wearing tights allowed me to dive more comfortably, which meant I went for the ball more often, knowing my performance wouldn’t be affected. Since I sweat a lot, I also tend to get cold quickly. So unless the weather is extremely hot, I usually choose leggings.” — Jihee Yi

Similarly, Grace Leo shared how having leggings as part of the uniform options gave her peace of mind and helped her focus:

“Honestly, it’s made a huge difference. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve stopped mid-game to pull my shorts down from riding up—skinny girls will never understand this struggle, hahahaha. Wearing longer tights means I’m not distracted anymore; I can just focus on the game and play freely.” — Grace Leo

Photo Credit: MG Sports Photography

Inclusivity in Action

The option to choose between spandex and tights sends a powerful message: volleyball is for everyone. Inclusivity isn’t just about participation—it’s about ensuring athletes feel respected and supported.

Grace Leo shared that despite her long involvement in the sport, this was the first time she had a choice:

“Having the choice makes the sport more inclusive and respectful of different backgrounds, comfort levels, and preferences. My first time representing state was 18 years ago—and this is the first time I’ve been in a team at AVL level that allows this option. It’s honestly awesome. I really appreciate Volleyball NSW for making a small change in how they approach our women’s playing uniform and making that possible.” — Grace Leo

Jihee Yi and Adjani Zahra agree that offering different uniform options promotes inclusion, comfort, and sends a positive message to younger athletes:

“Yes, I do think providing the choice allows for greater inclusion, especially for athletes who feel less confident in traditional volleyball uniforms. I think we’re seeing more progress toward breaking stereotypes in women’s sports clothing, making it more about the athlete’s performance rather than their appearance. This is particularly important for younger female athletes and girls who may not feel confident yet.” — Jihee Yi

“It’s also a lot more inclusive for athletes who simply prefer to wear tights for many other reasons—such as body confidence and athletic performance—not just cultural or religious reasons.” — Adjani Zahra

Photo Credit: Lara Limbrick Photography

 

Looking Ahead

Offering alternative uniforms during this Super League season is just one part of our broader inclusive uniform policy. Over recent years, we’ve worked hard to expand options for athletes across all formats, including our beach volleyball range. Today, players can choose from singlets, crop tops, long-sleeve shirts, bikini bottoms, spandex, and loose shorts—ensuring flexibility and comfort for everyone.

At Volleyball NSW, we are committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment that encourages participation at all levels and celebrates our diverse community. From a uniform perspective, we prioritise personal choice, comfort, and cultural or religious considerations, while also promoting sun safety.

This approach reflects a growing trend in sport toward athlete-centred policies. By listening to players and adapting to their needs, we’re helping shape a future where performance and personal comfort go hand in hand.

Rebecca Walter, Interim CEO of Volleyball NSW, shared her thoughts on this commitment to inclusivity:

“At Volleyball NSW, we’re committed to making every player feel comfortable and respected. Expanding our uniform options is about breaking down barriers and ensuring everyone can participate with confidence. When athletes can choose what they wear, they play with greater confidence and comfort—and that’s what truly matters.”- Rebecca Walter Interim CEO

A special thank you to Valour, our official uniform partner, whose support has made this approach to flexibility and inclusivity possible. By working closely with us to provide options like leggings and spandex, Valour has helped ensure that every athlete feels comfortable, confident, and respected on the court. Their commitment to innovation and athlete-first design has been instrumental in creating a uniform policy that truly reflects the diverse needs of our volleyball community.

Photo Credit: Rogue Gun Photography			Photo Credit: Clark Visual Photography