Australia v USA

[Oz Referee]

Originally posted by rainmaker

So, Duane, do the refs line up to do volleyball, swimming and gymnastics? Those sports have all been using these types of uniforms for years.

Not really sure - volleyball is a very minor sport in Australia (even beach volleyball is really only played socially). As for gymnastics and swimming, I really couldn't comment.

In all seriousness, it was interesting to see the impact the new uniforms had on both the players, opposing teams, spectators and officials. There was a great deal of contention when they were introduced. The first team in the domestic competition to wear them was Manly Warringah's under 18 womens team. Many parents felt that the uniform was unfair to the "bigger" girls (although none of the players actually opposed them). In fact a member of that team, Anna Crosswhite, has recently been playing for University of Viginia and from what I hear has been doing very well - both on the court and acedemically.(http://virginiasports.collegesports....te_anna00.html)

Most interesting was the psychological effect it had on the players, and their opponents. It brought the team much closer together, they looked and acted more professionally. Many of the opposing teams were overheard making comments about how good the team must have been to go to the effort of getting the custom made uniforms.

Now the uniforms are pretty standard in women's basketball in Australia. Maybe us men will go for something similar one day

[Edited by Oz Referee on Sep 1st, 2004 at 08:37 PM]