FED: Volleyballers being forced to wear skimpy outfits: coach

AAP General News (Australia)
12-16-1998
FED: Volleyballers being forced to wear skimpy outfits: coach

CANBERRA, Dec 16 AAP - Top female volleyballers were being forced to compete in tight and
skimpy clothing in a bid to boost the profile of the sport, it was alleged today.

Australian womens volleyball coach Brad Saindon made the allegation, saying Volleyball
Australia had put a new dress code in place in a bid to make the sport more appealing to
advertisers and fans.

Players traditionally wore baggy shorts and loose T-shirts but were now being pressured to
wear revealing outfits under threat of hefty fines, he said.

"I think its a huge step backwards for womens athletics," he told ABC radio.

"I think its so contrary to what athletics should be all about."

Mr Saindon also said the recent volleyball world titles had included an award for the most
fashionable team.

Volleyball Australia chief executive officer Greg Carracher was unavailable for comment
today, as was federal Sports Minister Jackie Kelly.

But Labor sports spokeswoman Kate Lundy said all sports had a responsibility to ensure the
promotion of womens sport was not reliant on sex appeal.

"Any decision that changes the dress code for female athletes from loose to body hugging
lycra uniforms is sending the wrong message to young women who play sport," Senator Lundy said
in a statement.

"Sporting associations should encourage women athletes to wear whatever they feel most
comfortable in."

Senator Lundy pointed to a report from the Australian Sports Commission last year, which
found the portrayal of women in sport was based on sex appeal with top competitors often
posing in revealing outfits to gain publicity.

"The government has ignored this landmark report," she said.

"This latest incident involving the national womens volleyball team highlights the urgent
need for the government to act on the recommendations in the report."

AAP rmm/jnb/de

KEYWORD: VOLLEYBALL

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