By Pham Tran
“They can beat me, but they can’t beat my uniforms!”
Uniforms are athletes’ most precious companions whenever they step out into the battlefield to compete. Putting the uniform on doesn’t only mean to show your school representation, but as you look into the mirror, you see someone who is extremely different from your regular day self. Someone who is braver, stronger, and ready to give it all they have for the team.
Creating the perfect uniform for the perfect team requires taking many things into consideration. Let’s look at a guide to how FV sports programs approach the creation of uniforms for their talented athletes!
CRITERIA:
Fabric:
- Must be breathable
- Sweat absorbing
- Stretchy
- Lightweight
- Popular choices: polyesters, nylon, and spandex
- Do not shrink too much over time
Color combinations:
- Shouldn’t be too dark, or else they would absorb heat
- Should stand out in photos
- Aesthetic use of school colors
Fitness:
- Should be loose and breathable most of the time
- Shouldn’t disrupt the athlete’s performance
Affordability:
- Affordable one-time purchase for the use of many years
Tennis
For girls’ tennis, the uniform includes a tank top with a short skirt. For boys’ tennis, it includes a polo with a pair of shorts.
“The material is nice. However, the uniform is very ill-fitted and its looseness is kinda uncomfortable. It also looks very cheap because of the fit, compared to the boys’ uniform, which looks a lot more professional,” sophomore Sonkhe Nguyen said.
Although the uniform helps to bring the team together as a family when competing in harsh matches, it could use some changes.
“I want to say maybe change the skirt, either shorts or just a different silhouette,” Nguyen said.
The famous sponsor house of Under Armour is the source of the uniform’s conformity.
“Our efforts are directed to build the high performing, high quality, extremely durable and comfortable products that we and our customers wear to perform better,” the brand said.
Fabric: 10/10
Color combinations: 10/10
Fitness: 5/10
Affordability: 10/10
Badminton
Another sport that has its uniform sponsored by the famous Under Armour is Badminton. The outfit includes a T-shirt and a pair of shorts both in black.
“One thing that I love about my uniform is having our names imprinted on the back. It represents a sense of recognition and pride as we play on the court against our opponents,” sophomore Tuong Vy Cao said.
Having names printed on the back can be a bonus point for the uniform as it gives the athlete a sense of recognition and makes them stand out from other schools.
Just like tennis players, badminton players also think that the material made by Under Armour plays a big role in helping them maximize their performance.
“Playing in a game, the stretchable material assists with making hits easier and moving at a fast pace without any difficulties,” Cao said.
Overall, the simplicity of the uniform contributes to the team’s successful performance during games so our athletes don’t think any changes will be needed.
Fabric: 10/10
Color Combinations: 7/10
Fitness: 10/10
Affordability: 10/10
Track and Field
The uniform for both of FVHS’s running sports, Cross Country and Track & Field, includes a tank and a pair of shorts.
“I like the top, but I don’t like the bottoms. There’s a lot of room to breathe because when you run, it’s really hot, but the uniform top is really comfortable. I don’t like the bottoms because whenever I run, they ride up. They’re also too short and too tight,” sophomore Tisha Huynh said.
For runners, the ability to absorb sweat from fabric is what they demand the most from their uniforms, especially when running at meets on hot days. Thankfully, the sport is lucky enough to have Pacific Coast Sportswear as its sponsor since they are famously known for their “latest technical fabrics as far as moisture wicking, durability, and comfort.”
Fabric: 10/10
Color combinations: 10/10
Fitness: 5/10
Affordability: 10/10
Conclusion
At the end of the day, FVHS needs to work on the appropriate fitness for its sports uniforms, especially for girls. The right fitness, whether loose or tight, depends on which sport we are talking about in order to maximize the athlete’s performance.
