A Guide to Inclusive Sportswear for Grassroots Teams

June 30, 2025

At My Club, we believe every player deserves to feel part of the team the moment they pull on their kit. Whether you're at grassroots or elite level, a well-designed custom sports kit can do far more than make your team look good. It can raise awareness, promote inclusivity and of course, celebrate diversity.

Here, we explain how custom sports kits can show your club's values. They can also support players' identities and make the experience more inclusive for everyone.

Inclusive Sportswear for Grassroot Teams

Why Kit Matters

Inclusive teamwear isn’t just fabric. A good custom kit can help with gender expression, fit and cultural representation. It can remove barriers, build confidence, and make players feel seen and supported.

A standard kit might leave people out. A custom kit brings everyone in, creating a sense of belonging. Think inclusive school sports uniforms or LGBTQ sports kit for example.

Designing for Gender Inclusivity

No More Shrinking Men’s Kits for Women

Too often, women and girls are offered smaller versions of men’s kits; ill-fitting, uncomfortable, and uninspiring. This isn’t just a style issue. It can be a barrier to participation.

In fact, 33% of girls say they lose confidence in sport because of kit discomfort by age 14. (Youth Sport Trust, 2024)

At My Club, we offer men’s, women’s, and youth-specific cuts, plus sizing options that reflect real bodies. Not just mannequins. Our clients can even split orders across fits at no extra cost.

Let Players Choose Their Fit

Some players want looser fits. Others want kit that reflects their gender identity. You can offer choice without complication. When clubs give players the option to pick the cut that works for them, participation and confidence grow.

Adaptive and Accessible Kit Design

Players with disabilities are often excluded because kit manufacturers don’t offer the right designs or options. We’re helping to change that.

We believe that accessibility should be part of design. Do not add it later as an afterthought. This includes adjustable fasteners and extended sizing.

We want to support athletes with prosthetics too. If your club has specific needs, we’ll work with you directly to make it happen and to create a welcoming environment.

Representing Cultural and Community Identity

More Than Just Colours

A custom kit can be a celebration of culture, heritage, or activism.

We’ve worked with clubs to design kits that honour:

  • Pride Month
  • Black History Month
  • Disability sport awareness
  • Local community icons
  • Cultural patterns or symbols

Invite your players to shape these ideas. Host a vote on cultural elements or use our Kit Builder to bring it to life.

Real Imagery. Real Teams.

We encourage clubs to send us their player photos and stories. Stock images do not help in creating a more inclusive sports club.

When young people, disabled athletes, or LGBTQ+ teammates see themselves in your comms, it helps them feel like they’re part of something bigger. It helps people feel comfortable.

If you’ve got a great story or photo, we’ll even share it on our platform.

📩 Want to show off your club? Email: hello@myclubgroup.co.uk

How to Build a More Inclusive Kit

Here’s a quick checklist your club can use when creating your next team kit:

✅ Before You Order:

  • Survey players on fit and comfort preferences
  • Offer gender-specific or unisex cut options
  • Discuss names/pronouns and offer personalisation
  • Check for accessible and inclusive needs

🎨 During Design:

  • Add cultural details (flags, motifs, symbols)
  • Include inclusive slogans if relevant(e.g. “All Welcome”, “One Club, Every Body”)
  • Use imagery that reflects the team’s diversity and to promote equality
  • Add in your sponsors logos. Try our guide if you do not have one, read it here https://myclubgroup.co.uk/securing-sponsorship-grassroots-sport

📢 After Delivery:

  • Share your inclusive kit journey on socials
  • Encourage feedback from players and parents
  • Celebrate what makes your team unique

Inclusion Starts With What You Wear

Whether you’re a youth club, a school, or a grassroots side welcoming new communities into sport, inclusion starts with the kit you wear.

Players often perform better when they feel connected to their kit. They tend to stay longer and feel proud of who they represent.

Want Help Building a More Inclusive Kit?

We’d love to help. Our Kit Builder makes it easy to experiment with colours, crests, slogans and styles. Or use our in-house design team to bring your ideas to life.

Start with our Kit Builder - https://myclubgroup.co.uk/kit-builder/#/

Custom Sports Kit

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