Fashion in the Field: 2degrees launches merch to help tackle the confidence gap in girls' sport
Girls are dropping out of sport at twice the rate of boys1 – but 2degrees hopes to help turn the tide, one t-shirt at a time.
Today, as part of its ongoing drive to encourage girls to keep playing sports, 2degrees has launched SupportHER Club merchandise – a limited-edition collection designed to keep girls in sport by building confidence and amplifying the right kind of support from the sidelines.
Designed by Kiwi illustrator, Bonnie Brown, in partnership with renowned Kiwi sports psychologist Dom Vettise, the collection features two bold, evidence-backed designs to inspire, uplift and empower young sportswomen:
- “Play Brave” – printed in reverse so young female athletes see the message in the mirror: encouragement from her, to her.
- “Play Like You” – a call to sideline supporters to champion effort, courage and joy over performance and pressure.
“The words we say on the sideline can become the voice in a girl’s head,” says Dom Vettise. “Confidence isn’t built through pressure – it’s built through belief. This collection makes that belief visible.”
Why it matters
2degrees spokesperson Emma-Kate Greer says, “By age 14, girls are dropping out of sport at twice the rate of boys, with nearly half of all adolescent girls walking away from sport altogether - six times more than boys2.
“In Aotearoa, 93% of Kiwi girls aged 11–17 are not getting enough physical activity3, and by age 17, young women in New Zealand spend 28% less time being active than boys4,” she says.
“Confidence crashes, social pressure and self-doubt are just some of the reasons.”
It’s not a lack of encouragement – it’s often the wrong kind.
Greer says SupportHER is about changing that. From school fields to club courts, the right words – the right support – can keep girls in the game.
“Whether it’s a girl seeing Play Brave in the mirror before a match, or a parent wearing Play Like You on the sideline, these shirts are subtle, powerful reminders that belief matters,” she says. “This merch is more than a hoodie or t-shirt – it’s a conversation starter, a fundraising tool, and a symbol of the change we want to see.”
Backed by psychology. Worn with purpose.
Every piece of merch was developed using insights from Dom’s work with elite athletes and young people alike. Research shows that girls respond best to support that feels safe, specific and pressure-free – support that reinforces their values, not just their results.
“Even well-meaning sideline comments can unintentionally pile on pressure,” says Vettise. “A phrase like ‘You were brave out there’ is more powerful than ‘You should’ve shot.’ It’s all about helping girls feel encouraged, not evaluated.”
As part of the campaign, 2degrees has also released sideline tips for parents, teachers and coaches at 2degrees.nz/supportherclub.
Dame Valerie Adams endorses the movement
Four-time Olympian Dame Valerie Adams knows just how powerful belief can be.
“Confidence is fragile – especially in those early years,” she says. “The right kind of support can be the difference between walking away and stepping up.
“As a mum and an aunty, I’ve seen how much it means when girls feel backed - like someone’s truly in their corner. That’s why I’m proud to support the SupportHER Club. Every girl deserves to feel seen, supported and strong – on and off the field,” Dame Valerie adds.
Join the movement.
For more information on the SupportHER Club, and Dom’s tips, visit: https://www.2degrees.nz/supportherclub.
To find out where you can get the merch, visit: https://www.2degrees.nz/supportherclub/merch.
T-shirts: $20, hoodies: $40, with all proceeds donated to NZ Sport Collective, to fund girls’ sports in schools and help more girls stay active, connected and confident through sport.
Wear the message. Be the SupportHER.
1 Women's Sports Foundation
2 UNESCO
3 World Health Organisation - Physical Activity Profile 2022 New Zealand
4 Sport NZ