Female athletes say sports bra cost is barrier to participation

A former Team GB roller derby skater says the cost of sports bras is putting young women off taking part in physical activity.

Rosie Halsall, 18, from Sheffield, is campaigning for free sports bras and accessories for secondary school girls, allowing them to participate and improve their long-term health.

“I know a lot of girls who don’t wear sports bras and don’t want to exercise because they don’t feel comfortable,” she said.

Ms Halsall's proposal was supported by Lincolnshire football club Sleaford Town Juniors, which runs five women's teams and educates players about the risks of wearing unsuitable bras.

Having competed in roller derby for 10 years, Miss Halsall said she bought used sports bras because of the cost and knew of other players who stopped competing because they couldn't afford them.

She said: “I didn’t always have all the bras I needed and they weren’t always the right size. This made it much more difficult for me to compete.

“They [sports bras] very important, but expensive. I wear a helmet, pads and other protective gear when I compete, but my mouth guard costs less than a sports bra.”

Coaches at Sleaford Town Juniors, which provides players with free sanitary products, said the importance of sports bras had “become a bigger issue”.

John Williams, who coordinates the women's teams, said they have educated players on how an ill-fitting sports bra can create imbalances when running and cause injury.

“Not only does it affect their sport, but it can also affect them later in life,” he said.

The club's players have backed a campaign to give away free sports bras, saying it will encourage others to take part.

In October Ms Halsall won a competition organized by Politika, a youth-focused think tank which asked young people to identify an issue that was affecting their lives.

CEO Ben Rich said: “Rosie won because her submission was based on her own experience.

“Because of what she went through, she identified the real problem. That's what we liked.”

The group has already been contacted by a company offering sports bra accessories in schools, who want to work with Ms Halsall on her proposal.

The Department of Education recommends that public schools “promote the importance of girls wearing sports bras during physical education and sports.”

Sheffield Central Labor MP Abtisam Mohamed offered to meet Miss Halsall to discuss how her campaign could be developed.

She said: “Women in sport face many barriers and too often these problems start at school. Rosie's idea is a simple and powerful solution that could open doors for many young women.”

Miss Halsall said wearing sports bras during school age would also have long-term health benefits.

“It is important that women and girls feel comfortable, active and confident in sport so they can continue to lead healthy lives into old age.

“Women are at higher risk of osteoporosis and this comes at a huge cost to the NHS. If you gradually eliminate these diseases by increasing exercise and encouraging girls to take up sports (at a young age), you will save money.”