One of the frequent requests we receive are to provide more options for female officials. I sense a great deal of frustration, that I think is justified, from women who do mostly basketball, baseball and softball in not having the same options that men have.
RECENT ADDITIONS
To defend ourselves a little, we are trying. Before 6 months ago, we virtually had no women sizes. In the past 6 months, we've taken a crawl before you run approach by adding:
Plus many items are unisex (i.e. gloves, ear warmers, belts, caps and socks). However, the men have and probably always will have many more choices of shirts, pants and shoes.
REASONS ARE ECONOMICAL
Frankly, female officials and umpires make up a small percentage of all officials. As a result, there is honestly less opportunity of achieving a return on any inventory invested. I see that reflected in other officials' sporting goods retailers who after adding items for females now have them on clearance.
WHAT'S NEXT?
We sincerely would like to try to add more products for our female customers over the next year. Items for women our suppliers have that we could most easily purchase are compression shorts, under apparel and one basketball shoe made by New Balance. Other items would require more research and planning to make happen but certainly not out of the question.
YOUR HELP NEEDED
Which of these items, would you be interested in purchasing? What other items would you like to have in a women's size that is not currently available?
1 comments:
I have been officiating basketball for over 24 years and yes there has been some progress. I would really like to see a good shoe for basketball women officials. A shoe that is comfortable, sturdy and most of all patent leather.
Thank you for your work in this area of officiating gear!
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