Active Research

Understanding the impact of
sport uniforms on athlete experiences

We are currently recruiting athletes to participate in our national uniform study. Your voice matters.

Take Part

Surveys Now Open

How do sport uniforms affect your experience as an athlete? We want to hear from you. This study explores how uniforms influence participation, body image, and overall sport experiences across Canada.

Youth Athletes

Youth Survey

✓Ages 8–18 years
✓Currently involved in organized sport
✓Required to wear a team uniform
Take the Youth Survey →

Elite & Collegiate Athletes

18+ Survey

✓Age 18+
✓Current or former National Team, Professional, or Collegiate Athlete (retired within the last 8 years)
✓Required to wear a specific uniform at major games, international championships, or as part of your professional team
✗Masters and recreational athletes are ineligible
Take the 18+ Survey →

This study is grounded in one key belief:

What we wear in sport matters.

Uniforms can influence confidence, enjoyment, performance, and inclusion.

Yet, we still know very little about how athletes experience their uniforms.

We're asking for your support to help us reach two key participant groups:

1
Youth athletes (ages 8–18 years)

currently involved in sport

2

Uniforms are more than just clothing; they shape how athletes see themselves, connect with others, and feel in their bodies.

Canada currently lacks national data on how uniforms impact athlete's experiences in sport — from participation to performance. That's why we're launching a project to understand athletes' perspectives on sport uniforms, and we need your voice at the table.

What we know so far:

From the 2024 Canadian Women & Sport Rally Report:

▸ 1 in 5 girls aged 13–18 indicate that uniforms or exercise clothing negatively impact their experience.
▸ Uniform discomfort is linked to body image concerns, gender norms, and lack of personal expression.

Dr. Clare Hanlon, a leader in uniform work globally, has found that when girls have a say in how uniforms look and feel, their confidence, participation, and sense of belonging all increase.

We know even less about boys, and gender diverse youth experiences

Join us as we:

Gather voices from youth across Canada

Build evidence to influence change

Rethink how uniforms are designed and chosen

Create tools, training, and design guides for organizations

Be part of the shift.

Together, we can create sport spaces that feel safe, expressive, and inclusive — for every body.

Proposed Timeline

October 2025

Data Input & Survey Checks

Nov 2025 – Feb 2026

Targeted Org. Recruitment Starts

Mar – Aug 2026

Data Collection

Sep – Oct 2026

Data Analysis

December 2026

Report Released

October 2025

Data Input & Survey Checks

November 2025 – February 2026

Targeted Org. Recruitment Starts

March – August 2026

Data Collection

September – October 2026

Data Analysis

December 2026

Report Released

This research is led by the Project RE.sport team at the University of Toronto and is supported by our amazing — and ever-growing — network of dissemination partners.

Girls Forward MLSE Launchpad Canadian Women & Sport
University of Toronto – Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education
About the Study

Understanding the Impact of Sport Uniforms on Athlete Experiences

Sport uniforms are a fundamental part of athletic participation — but their design, fit, and style can profoundly affect how athletes feel about themselves and their sport. This research examines the relationship between uniform design and athlete experiences.

This project is part of Phase 1 of the RE.sport national research initiative, led in collaboration with the MLSE Launchpad and supported by SSHRC.