Tamsin Greenway has welcomed the introduction of choice kit to Netball’s Super League, and insists it will not mark the end of the sport’s iconic dress uniform.
London Mavericks made the landmark decision to introduce a choice kit range for players across all age groups in aid of supporting comfort and confidence on the court.
In doing so they became the first professional netball club to grant their players choice kit, which includes shorts of varying lengths, skorts, leggings and long vests, while also retaining the traditional netball dress.
“I was always in the wrong colour, didn’t have my trainers, if I turned up in the right thing it was a miracle. It wasn’t out of disrespect, I’m so passionate about netball, but I struggled with the uniformity,” said former England international Greenway on the Off The Court podcast.
“The choice kit when Mavericks bought it forward was a no-brainer for me. In three years’ time, if we brought it forward, I don’t think we’ll be talking about it. Women wearing different things is completely normal, so I’m pro it, but I know I’m open-minded about it.
“It won’t be the death of the dress, because of where it comes from when you historically look at why females wear skirts and dresses.
“Coming through the ranks as a kid I would not have wanted to wear a dress, I was into football and wore shorts and t-shirts.”
England international Razia Quashie has been among the leading advocates for the move, recently championing the opportunity to play in leggings.
A Women in Sport study in 2024 found that 64 per cent of girls were dropping out of sport before the age of 16, one of the figures inspiring Mavericks to introduce more varied kit in order to create a more welcoming environment for multiple body types.
The club’s decision to shift towards choice kit also came in light of Youth Sport Trust research that discovered 58 per cent of girls would prefer having more uniform choices in PE.
Choice kit was debuted in the Super League this season.
“The netball dress as it stands is the IP of the sport, it distinguishes us from any other sport,” said former England coach Tracey Neville MBE. “The other thing I see is, the commercial asset of the dress is huge.
“Look at the space we can commercially sell on a netball dress that can’t be sold on shorts and shirt. From a commercial branding point of view I think we own those two rights.
“The third part of me is the uniformity of it. You can say there’s no ‘i’ in team, great, but branding of cut and the way a team walks out has always been the biggest instigator of success.
“I was always around one of the biggest brands all my life in Manchester United, everything they did was about the brand, the kit, success. When they went to Wembley they all had the same suit, the same shoes, it was driven.”
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Neville acknowledged the value of choice to players, joking that her “biggest anxiety” during the early stages of her England career was being required to wear red cycling shorts.
She also hailed the power of uniformity when it comes to retaining netball’s identity.
“Even for me around the dress it was the presentation, when I got presented my dress that was the thing,” she explained.
“I’ve been in situations where no England or club players want anybody in the pathway to wear that dress until they get to that point. The other thing is the uniformity.
“If we are going to go diverse I have a strong branding, the difference in kit wouldn’t happen in my team.
“It screams power, when you watch the Silver Ferns, the first impression was the power of the colour. It stems from the leadership of the person taking the team.”
Watch LexisNexis Dragons against London Pulse on the Sky Sports+ and App from 7pm Friday, while Leeds Rhinos face Loughborough Lightning from 7.30pm on Sky Sports Mix. Nottingham Forest take on Birmingham Panthers at 4pm Sunday, also live on Sky
