Women from culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) backgrounds will now be able to participate in sport more easily, with the release today of an Australian-first multicultural uniform guide.
Seven Western Australian sports with high numbers of CaLD participants have endorsed a series of pictorial posters and information sheets showing and describing uniform options for women and girls playing AFL, football (soccer), basketball, gymnastics, volleyball, cricket and netball.
The options feature guidelines around leggings, long-sleeved tops and head coverings.
The Female Multicultural Uniform Guide is an opportunity to provide young CaLD women with the confidence to move from school-based sport to club or competition level.
It also gives local sporting clubs a guide to help women play sport safely and in an inclusive and culturally appropriate way.
Each State Sporting Association has endorsed their guide as appropriate and fitting with their codes and regulations.
Inspired by 2016’s Royal Life Saving Society’s Female Multicultural Swimwear Guide, the document will be a leading resource for WA sport.
It is hoped the Australian-first project will provide inspiration for other States and Territories to develop similar guides to encourage greater participation in sport.
The guides were created in consultation with CaLD participants, community leaders, and State Sporting Associations including the West Australian Football Commission, Basketball WA, WACA, Gymnastics WA, Netball WA, Football West, and Volleyball Western Australia.