Border Kei Chamber has launched an inspiring initiative to help young women take part in sports in a more comfortable manner.
The women’s forum committee is calling on the public to donate their new and gently used sports and general use bras to help girls in need.
The bossom box initiative was inspired by women’s forum chair Tamrynn Roos, a dedicated sports mom, who was deeply moved by what she observed at local sporting events. Determined to act, Roos presented the idea to the BKCOB women’s forum, which received immediate support from the committee.
“At the most recent T20 Women’s Cricket club final at Buffalo Park, I was disheartened to see the number of young ladies from surrounding areas show up to play a sport they love without wearing bras. At recent athletics events held in Komani and Jan Smuts Stadium, there were several young ladies competing without any bras, and as a woman who enjoys exercising, I can’t think of anything worse than running and competing without any support,” Roos said.
After speaking to the athletes directly, Roos realised the emotional and physical discomfort they endured was a huge barrier to performance.
“Their replies were: ‘I am uncomfortable, it hurts when I run and I am shy or embarrassed to compete.’ This hinders women from competing to their full potential, and we have so much sporting talent in the Border region,” she said.
All donated bras will be collected at the Business Chamber offices in Beacon Bay and during monthly Women’s Connect sessions.
A dedicated committee will sort and ensure the donated items meet hygiene standards before being handed over to girls in need across various sporting codes — including women’s cricket, athletics and rugby.
“We look forward to starting the narrative about the bosom box to spread the word about this initiative and allow women to freely talk about the need to wear a bra and the importance of supporting each other, rather than shying away from topics that we should all be so comfortable with,” Roos said.
In line with previous empowerment efforts by the women’s forum such as sanitary towel drives and supplying corporate clothing for job seekers, the bosom box continues the forum’s mission of restoring dignity and enabling opportunity for women in the region.
Roos hopes the message will resonate far beyond sport.
“One of our mandates, as the women’s forum of the chamber, is to uplift women, so we look for practical ways to improve the empowerment, dignity and inclusion of women.
“Don’t give up on something you love because you don’t have the ‘support’. As women, we want to create a community of caring and upliftment for the young generation.”
The bosom box campaign will run throughout the year, with monthly collections and handovers planned. For more information or to get involved, contact Volenti on 043-743-8438.
