Champion Survey Shows Young Women Today Are Twice as Likely to be
Encouraged to Play Sports Than Older Women Were in Their Youth
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar. 29, 2012--
The 1970s ushered in two significant milestones in the evolution of
women’s fitness – the passage of Title IX legislation in 1972 and the
invention of the sports bra. In celebration of the 40th
anniversary of Title IX, Champion Athleticwear, recognized as the
founder of sports bras, hosted a special event today in New York City
featuring Olympic gold medalist Benita Fitzgerald Mosley, who now serves
as the board chair of the Women’s Sports Foundation.
Founder of the sports bra, Champion Athleticwear, celebrated the 40th Anniversary of Title IX legislation with Olympic Gold Medalist and Women's Sports Foundation Chair Benita Fitzgerald Mosley, left, and Champion director of design Joanne Sessler, right, joined by a sports bra model at a Title IX anniversary event Thursday, march 29, 2012, in New York City (Jon Simon/Feature Photo Service) (Photo: Business Wire)
“Today, we celebrate 40 years of progress in bringing new generations of
women into sports and fitness,” said Claire Powell, general manager, Champion
Athleticwear. “Champion has been with these women every step of
the way by outfitting them with the very best in sports bras and sports
apparel.”
A national survey commissioned by Champion shows a significant
improvement in women’s participation in sports and fitness. In the
survey, 100 percent of women ages 18 to 24 said they were encouraged to
play sports, compared with 75 percent for women ages 25 to 34 and just
45 percent for women ages 55 and older.
During the anniversary event, Champion traced the evolution of
sports bras from the very first prototype created in 1977 by Hinda
Miller, Linda Lindahl and Polly Smith by sewing together two jockstraps
to the latest fabric and design innovations debuting in 2012. What began
with the original Jogbra, has expanded to more than 19 different Champion
sports bra silhouettes designed for all type of fitness activities,
levels of support and sizes.
For spring 2012, Champion introduced the new Champion
Sweetheart Neckline Sports Bra and the Champion Seamless
Adjustable Sports Bra, both launching at retail stores nationwide this
month. In addition, the brand previewed more new sports bra styles
planned for late summer and early fall.
“Since the introduction of that first sports bra, styles have become
incredibly comfortable and dramatically more supportive,” said Powell.
“High-tech fabrics are lighter, stronger and more flexible to provide
exceptional freedom of movement while still delivering the support that
women need. Plus, Champion has infused color, style and feminine
detailing that ensure women look as good as they feel.
“Champion understands that for most women, the sports bra is her
most important piece of fitness equipment.”
Former Olympic champion Benita Fitzgerald Mosley said, “The Women’s
Sports Foundation is excited to celebrate the 40th
anniversary of Title IX legislation with the team from Champion
Athleticwear.”
Now the chair of the Women’s Sports Foundation, which is dedicated to
advancing the lives of girls and women through sports and physical
activity, Mosley won a gold medal in the 100-meter hurdles in the 1984
Olympic Games in Los Angeles and is an eight-time national champion and
14-time NCAA All-American. Mosley was recently appointed Chief of Sport
Performance for USA Track & Field.
“As the Women’s Sports Foundation continues to advocate for greater
participation in sports by women and girls, we commend companies like
Champion Athleticwear for making sports participation more enjoyable and
achievable for athletes of all abilities,” Mosley said. “Collectively
the sports industry’s continued innovation in gear and apparel for girls
and women is helping drive the increase in participation across sports
activities at all ages.”
Champion Athleticwear Survey on
Sports and Fitness
Also, at the event, Champion released the results of a recent
survey of 425 women asking about organized sports and fitness. (detailed
summary at the end of this press release).
“We conducted this survey to better understand the importance of
organized sports and fitness to women,” said Powell. “What we found was
overwhelming support for sports as a means for building confidence,
self-esteem, respect and leadership – skills that women feel translate
well into all aspects of their lives.”
74 percent of Respondents Reported Playing an Organized Sport
Of the 425 women who participated in the survey, 74 percent participated
in organized sports at some point in their lives. Nearly a quarter of
the respondents, 24 percent of women, said they began
participating in a team sport by age 8, and the majority of respondents
reported that they participated in some form of sports from elementary
school thru high school.
Two out of Three Women Say Passion for the Sport was the Primary
Reason for Playing
When asked about why they played organized sports, two out of three of
respondents (62 percent) said because they have a passion for the
sport. Other primary reasons included being part of a team (57
percent) and improving health or fitness (53 percent).
Nearly 70 percent of Respondents Credit Title IX for Giving them
an Opportunity to Play
When asked about the impact of Title IX Legislation in creating
opportunities for women to play organized sports, 69 percent of
respondents said it was “Very Important” or “Important.”
Respondents concluded the survey by reflecting on the importance of
organized sports from childhood to adult. A common theme for many of the
women respondents was that early introduction to sports and fitness
helped establish a firm foundation for a healthy and active lifestyle.
“Good health as a youth promotes better health as an adult,” said one
respondent.
Champion Athleticwear Previews
New Website
In late April, Champion will unveil its new website, www.ChampionSportsBras.com,
featuring a wealth of information and expert advice focused exclusively
on sports bras. Content will include a sports bra style feature, fit and
support guide, care tips and a blog with posts from the experts on
sports bras and other topics related to health and fitness and the
importance of an active lifestyle.
“This new Champion sports bra website is designed to be every
woman’s go-to resource for all of her specific questions related to
sports bras and workout apparel as well as more general topics about
wellness and fitness from the experts who know it best,” said Powell.
To learn more about Champion Athleticwear, visit www.championusa.com
or follow the Champion sports bra blog by going to www.facebook.com/champion.
About Champion®Athleticwear
Since 1919 Champion Athleticwear has offered a full line of
innovative athletic apparel for men and women including sports bras,
activewear, team uniforms, sweats and accessories. Champion Athleticwear
can be purchased at most sporting goods and department stores. For
more information please contact us at 1-800-999-2249, visit www.championusa.com
or at www.facebook.com/champion
or follow us on Twitter @Championusa. Champion is a brand of
HanesBrands. (NYSE:HBI)
Detailed Summary of Champion
Athleticwear Survey of Women on Sports and Fitness
Almost 3 of 4 respondents participated in organized sports,
participation begins early
74 percent of respondents have participated in organized sports at some
point in their lives
24 percent said their participation in organized sports began before
they were 8 years old
Women reported playing sports for a variety of reasons
62 percent of respondents said they participate in organized sports
because they have a passion for the sport
Other tops reasons for playing organized sports included:
58 percent said they played to be part of a team
53 percent said they played to improve their health or fitness
37 percent said they played because their friends were playing
28 percent said they played to build confidence and self-esteem
Younger women reported being encouraged to play sports, older
women were not
100 percent of women ages 18-24 and 75 percent of women ages 25-34
reported being encouraged to play sports, compared to just 45 percent of
women ages 55 and older
The overwhelming majority of women (92 percent) reported being
encouraged by a parent; respondents also identified a teacher or coach
(43 percent) as a key motivator
Women feel strongly about the importance of participating in
organized sports
88 percent of respondents said that participating in organized sports
was “Extremely Important” or “Important”
Respondents said playing organized sports is primarily about
having fun and exercise
When asked about the importance of different aspects of organized
sports, “Having Fun” and “Exercise” were rated most frequently (80
percent and 76 percent respectively) as “Extremely Important”
Title IX continues to play an important role in creating
opportunities for women to participate in organized sports. Younger
women feel more strongly about the importance of Title IX than older
women.
60 percent of all respondents were familiar with Title IX legislation,
including 77 percent of women ages 18-24
49 percent of all respondents said Title IX has been “Very Important” or
“Important” in creating opportunities for them to participate in
organized sports, including 90 percent of women ages 18-24
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=50222735&lang=en
Source: HanesBrands
Champion Product PR
Bernadette Wallace, 336-519-6250
Bernadette.Wallace@hanesbrands.com
