Respecting modesty for faith practices
"…cultural expectations surrounding modesty, gender interactions, and religious practices often conflict with conventional sports settings. [There is a] need for culturally responsive practices, community engagement, and institutional support to promote inclusivity and representation within the sport system." (Kang et al. 2025)
What we know
Australia is a diverse, multicultural country with many religions. For some women and girls, their religion influences the clothes they feel comfortable wearing. Many religions encourage modest clothing, sometimes for men too. Examples include Islam, Christianity, Judaism and some Buddhist traditions.
Dressing modestly is usually about showing respect, dignity, humility and faith. But some people say it’s oppressive and stops women and men from being equal. This is too simple, though, and stops women from minority religions or non-Western cultures from making their own choices.
Dressing modestly for religious reasons can be very important to a person’s identity, family, community and culture. Because of this – and because sport is a place for everyone – it’s important to be flexible and understanding about clothing rules. Supporting dress requirements helps all women and girls feel comfortable and be themselves in sport.
It’s a win-win. Creating culturally sensitive environments helps more people join in sport. In turn, participating in sport helps people feel connected, grow personally and be part of the community.
Insights for coaches and officials
Coaches and officials play a key role in understanding and supporting women and girls who dress modestly to have opportunities to participate in sport. This includes allowing a full range of choices in uniforms, like long sleeves, leggings or head coverings to meet modesty needs. Promoting positive role models and challenging stereotypes can also encourage more diverse participants. Other ways you can help are:
- Coaches – actively support and advocate for participants to make sure both training and competition wear is appropriate. Talk to participants and their families about clothing needs or cultural practices. Create a supportive, inclusive environment where differences are not just tolerated but are authentically welcomed and valued. Encourage all participants to understand and respect modest clothing choices.
- Officials – advocate for change where rules and policies restrict or alienate participants. Work with coaches and clubs to support participants’ needs and be fair and respectful when people ask for modest sportswear. Avoid making assumptions about participants based on their clothing. Educate other officials about why modest dress matters to some participants.
Source articles:
Can Religious Modest Dress be Included in the Feminist Project | Plurality, opens in a new tab
Tackling inclusivity |Western Sydney University, opens in a new tab