A revolutionary change in Olympic sports kit for women began with a night out in Birmingham, where a group of athletes and team members gathered in the Team England bar. Emily Howard, a hockey player, was approached by Lou Pullan, Kit Operations Specialist, who expressed her support for Howard’s mission to change hockey forever. Howard has been recognized for her efforts, receiving the Changemaker Award at the Sunday Times Sportswomen of the Year. With the support of her teammates and partners, the impact of Howard’s work has been felt, particularly at her local club, Marlow.
She has emphasized the importance of comfort and empowerment, noting an increase in female agency and a change in consciousness among young players. This has led to the introduction of sport-specific shorts by Grays, supported by Howard’s kit partner, Mizuno. Howard, a member of the UK Sport’s National Lottery-funded World Class Programme, attributes her improved performance on the pitch to wearing shorts, feeling a greater sense of freedom and confidence. She believes that providing shorts for female athletes can have a global impact and has received inquiries from other countries interested in implementing similar changes.
The text also highlights the support provided by National Lottery players, contributing significant funding to sports at all levels, from grassroots to elite.
