Handball: Women’s national teams rebel against dress codes

Women feel uncomfortable

National handball teams protest against dress code

Several national handball associations are rebelling against the IHF dress code. The women’s teams do not feel comfortable with the regulations.

The Danish, Norwegian and Swedish handball associations have written a joint letter to the world association IHF calling for changes to the rules for playing clothing. Specifically, this is about the color of the playing clothing.

To date, the regulations provide for one set of light-colored uniforms and one set of dark-colored uniforms for each team. “In every game, one team must wear light uniforms and the other team must wear dark uniforms. The combination of color and design of the two teams must be clearly different from each other,” it says in the relevant paragraph.

The problem lies primarily in the light-colored uniforms, which in some associations also include white pants. This can put the players on women’s teams in particular in unpleasant situations. “The problem is that it makes girls feel extremely insecure, and when you’re on your period, it’s an issue that takes up a lot of space,” explained the Danish association’s vice-president, Mette Vestergaard. “We have wanted to change this for a long time, but now we have submitted an official request for it,” Vestergaard continued.

Some players also commented on the topic and became clear. For example, long-time Norwegian national player Veronica Kristiansen said on the Norwegian television station NRK: “Personally, I find it both embarrassing and shameful.” The menstrual cycle is something that the players cannot control. “So get rid of the white shorts,” demanded Kristiansen.

Norway goalkeeper Katrine Lunde said: “If it’s men who decide this, I understand that it might not be what they think about the most, but for girls it can be a challenge.”

An IHF spokesman has already responded to the demands, emphasizing: “Denmark, for example, has registered white, red and black shorts for this championship. We will do everything in our power to ensure that Denmark – and all other teams in the same situation – are allowed to play in red, black or other dark shorts if the schedule and conditions allow it.”

The women’s handball world championship starts on November 26th and will take place this year in Germany and the Netherlands.