The Fight for Females

The Fight For Females

by Rachel Poulin

It’s time for tradition to change at Exeter High School. After 100 years of requiring female athletes participating in field hockey to wear skirts, the rules should be altered to give women the option of wearing shorts. They have the right to feel comfortable playing the sport they love without diminishing their value or that of said sport. Sexualized uniforms reinforce previously held stereotypes about female sports, which is why there is a push to get the uniforms changed for the Exeter High School teams.

Sources say that girls have been required to wear skirts to show their femininity and present the women playing as more sexier or more watchable. United Nations and Australian Sports Commission states that the uniforms “lower self-esteem, perpetuate stereotypes, discourage participation and even promotes the sexual harassment of women athletes,” and the girls playing on Exeter High School’s JV and Varsity teams seem to agree. Freshman MarLie Macek conducted a survey to get these athletes’ opinions. Of the 43 students who responded, half of them would prefer shorts if given the option. 60.7% stated that they would strongly dislike it if they had to wear skirts, and 66.7% don’t think it's fair that most women’s sports require skirts to be worn. Clearly, this motion for change is supported by the people who would be most affected by this practice. 

JV white and Varsity players Anika DelliColli and Isabelle Steiner were asked their opinions about why they think they wear skirts, they claimed that, “It’s the way it's always been.” On the other hand, they express that the skirts are “uncomfortable” and aren’t made of the best material. After 4 years of playing field hockey, these girls are relieved that there are students advocating to change their uniforms.  

Coach Ball, Exeter High School’s 23 year Athletic Director, has a neutral opinion on this topic. That is, this is the first time someone has come to him about the skirts, so he “needs to hear both sides” but he is “certainly open to it.” In a recent interview with him, he described what the process would entail for this change. Not only is it a long process, but a difficult one as well. This motion would have to go through the National Federation of High School Sports (NFHS), the NHIAA Field Hockey Committee, the NHIAA council, and then it would reach the high schools.This is not just a local high school rule change—this is national, but that does not mean it isn't worth the time and effort.

The fight for females to be respected and feel comfortable while playing their best is going to continue until these athletes get to choose what they wear. Big changes take time, but the time put in will be worth it in the long run. Just think, this effort may only be the beginning of efforts to change a range of things in EHS.