Understanding the impact of
sport uniforms on athlete experiences
A national study exploring how sport uniforms shape athlete experiences across Canada. Recruitment for this study is now closed.
Surveys Now Closed
Recruitment for this study has now closed — thank you to everyone who shared their experiences. This study explores how sport uniforms influence participation, body image, and overall sport experiences across Canada.
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.
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:
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
Through this study, we set out to:
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
Part of a bigger shift.
Together, this work moves us toward 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.
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.