How clubs, schools and academies can specify custom netball uniforms — dresses, skorts and bibs — for bulk orders, including positional bib requirements.
Custom netball uniforms need a different specification approach than most team sportswear, because netball's own playing rules directly shape what a squad kit actually needs. A netball uniform brief that only specifies colours and a generic dress silhouette will miss requirements that matter on court — most importantly, positional bibs. This guide is for clubs, schools and academies planning a bulk netball uniform order.
Netball uniforms aren't generic teamwear
Netball is commonly served by manufacturers as an afterthought — a unisex teamwear cut with netball colours applied, rather than a design built around how the sport is actually played. A proper netball uniform brief should specify the fitted dress or skort silhouette the sport typically uses, not a generic teamwear template adapted from another sport.
Plan for positional bibs from the start
Netball's seven playing positions (GS, GA, WA, C, WD, GD, GK) are identified on court by bibs, and this is the single most important sourcing decision that's specific to netball. Bibs need to be planned alongside the uniform order itself — not sourced separately or as an afterthought — since they need to match team colours and be sized for the same squad. Confirm with your league or association which positions require bibs and whether specific lettering/colour conventions apply, since these can vary by competition.
What to specify for bibs
- Full set of seven positions, or only the positions your squad rotates through
- Bib colour scheme — commonly a contrasting or team-colour design with clear position lettering
- Sizing to fit over the uniform dress or top comfortably during play
- Durable printing or embroidery for the position letters, since bibs see heavy wear over a season
Choose the right silhouette
Netball uniforms are typically ordered as a fitted dress, or a separate top-and-skort combination. Both are valid choices — the decision usually comes down to squad preference, climate and whether players want a one-piece or two-piece kit. Whichever silhouette you choose, specify:
- Dress or top length and fit (fitted vs. semi-fitted)
- Skort length and built-in short coverage
- Stretch fabric percentage for freedom of movement during sprinting and jumping
- Whether the design needs to accommodate bibs being worn over it without bunching or restricting movement
Fabric considerations for netball
Netball is a high-intensity, stop-start sport with frequent sprinting, jumping and direction changes, so fabric needs to combine stretch with structure. A performance stretch polyester blend (see our elastane fabric guide for how stretch percentage is specified) is the standard choice, balanced against the dress or skort holding its shape through a full match and repeated washing across a season.
Colours, crest and squad numbering
Club or school crest placement, sponsor artwork and squad numbering should be confirmed from your written specification before production — the same discipline that applies to any team kit order. For netball specifically, confirm where numbering sits relative to where a bib will be worn over the dress or top, so the two don't visually conflict on court.
What to include in a netball uniform RFQ
- Silhouette: fitted dress, or top-and-skort combination
- Bib requirement: full seven-position set or a subset, colour scheme and lettering
- Quantity by size, and whether the squad needs mixed-size runs
- Fabric preference: stretch percentage, weight, moisture-wicking requirement
- Crest, sponsor artwork and squad numbering placement
- Sample requirement and approval process
- Destination and required delivery date — including markets outside the US, where netball has a larger established following
Sample and quality checks specific to netball
Beyond the standard fit, colour and stitching checks that apply to any uniform sample, a netball uniform sample should specifically be tested with a bib worn over it — checking that the combination doesn't restrict arm movement during shooting or defensive positioning, and that the bib sits securely during sprinting and jumping without repeatedly needing adjustment.
Request a custom netball uniform quote
Send your squad size, bib requirements, preferred silhouette and artwork to get a tailored quotation. USSportWear works with clubs, schools and academies on custom netball uniform programmes, including full bib sets — browse our custom netball uniforms category or request a quote directly with your requirements.