The Queensland Gems are set to hit the court in style at next week’s Marie Little Shield thanks to a range of inclusive uniform options.
Thanks to Netball Queensland apparel partner Valour, the Gems were given the option of choosing to represent their state either in a traditional netball dress or a combination outfit of singlets and shorts.
Giving the players the choice of uniform has proven a hit, with five of the squad’s 12 players opting for the singlet and shorts over a dress.
Creating inclusive uniform options is a stated objective of Netball Queensland’s recently released strategic plan for 2023-25 with the ambition of maximising opportunities for people to love the game at any level they participate in.
For Gems coach Merrin McCulloch, the inclusive uniform options are a welcome move for a team which features athletes who could potentially feel uncomfortable playing in a traditional dress.
“We like to do what we can to make this inclusive environment as safe and as comfortable as possible for our players,” McCulloch said.
“Not all players look like Queensland Firebirds – we have a variety of shapes and sizes and we wanted to give the players an option that makes them feel comfortable.
“Our new uniform options have done this.
“I think you will find more teams will follow in the future.”
This year’s Marie Little Shield is the first time the competition has been held since 2019 after COVID-19 prevented the tournament from happening in the past two years.
Named in after Marie Little (OAM), a netballer who dedicated her life to those with an intellectual disability, the Netball Australia-run competition provides female athletes with an intellectual disability the chance to represent their state at a national level.
This year’s tournament is being hosted in partnership with Netball NSW from Wednesday 26 to Friday 28 October at Netball Central, Sydney Olympic Park.
The Gems will face the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Northern Territory, South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia in the tournament with seven rounds plus finals to be played across the three days.
The 2022 Marie Little Shield is a free event that will be open to the public to watch and support and will also be streamed live on Netball Australia TV.
GEMS SQUAD: Wilhemena Thaw (Co-captain), Lisa Lenton (Co-captain), Jasmine Catterall, Mason Dare, Katelyn Mitchell, Emma Mangan, Alice Dunkley, Zoe Gauld, Hanri Smith, Jennifer Collins, Lorelei Page, Olivia Page.
