Delivering both on and off the court, the Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel are using their uniform to prove that sport and environmental care can go hand in hand.
In a powerful stride towards environmental stewardship, the Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel are sporting dresses made from an unexpected source – recycled plastic bottles.
Netball South Chief Executive Sonya Fleming shared that for the team, and the franchise backing it, the playing dress is more than just a uniform – it’s a statement.
“Our dresses are what our fans recognise and now they are also a clear statement of our commitment to a cleaner and greener future.”
Each dress is crafted using approximately 38 recycled bottles, giving new life to materials that might otherwise pollute our plant. The transformation is nothing short of inspiring with clean plastic bottles broken down into tiny pellets, converted into high-quality yarn and then woven into a high-performance netball garment.
Mrs Fleming said the innovation of the dress is just one of the steps Netball South has taken to reduce their carbon footprint.
“In 2024 we adopted a paperless accounting system, we’re in the process of transitioning to an all-hybrid fleet, and we plan the team’s travel to be as efficient and effective as possible.”
Community Trust South is a proud supporter of the Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel and Netball South, with Chief Executive Jackie Flutey saying the mahi of the Steel was playing an influential role in sharing the importance of the restoration and protection of our environment.
“By turning waste into purpose, the Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel is proving that performance gear doesn’t have to come at the expense of the planet, and that even in sport we can make choices that protect our environment.”
With sustainability and climate, a focus of the Trust’ strategic aspiration, the Trust welcomes the environmental benefits of the dress design.
This includes reducing landfill waste, lowering water and energy usage compared to traditional fabrics and delivering durable breathable high-performance apparel.
Mrs Flutey and Mrs Fleming agreed that sustainability isn’t something to be kept to the sidelines of sport; it’s something that needs to be part of the game plan.
Mrs Fleming further explained, “every thread in the playing kit is pushing our players and our franchise to remember that small changes can make a big impact to our environment now and in the future,”
So, with the Steel’s season having come to an end, know that they haven’t just been playing to win—they’ve also been playing for the sustainability of our future communities
