A Melbourne mum's invention is making women in contact sports throughout the world feel invincible while also protecting them against serious injury

Shielded in Battle

It's more balls than boobs that are the topic of conversation among AFLW players.

As Libby Birch & Monique Conti explain, it's not a subject that is readily discussed despited the obvious physical implications of playing footy.

"Particularly for females, talking about boobs is a taboo topic" says Melbourne star Birch.

"A lot of women in contact sports might stop playing because they're scared of injury & it shouldn't be a factor."

With the effects of physical contact & breasts in mind, that's where Melbourne mum-of-three Suzie Betts comes into the picture.

Betts founded Boob Armour last year - inserts which aid breast support, help minimise breast movement during running & protect the breast from impact injury. It was a vision that started after she went to see a doctor with breast pain.

"It was 2018 and I had lumps in my breasts and the first thing the surgeon said to me was have you received traumas" Betts says.

"I had to have biopsies & two lots of surgeries. My daughters were playing basketball & footy & they said they get hit all the time. Then I started doing research around breasts because women need good support to minimise movement during sports and should be protected from impact".

Betts found that in the general population up to 70 per cent of women have reported experiencing exercise induced breast pain when they participate in sport & exercise.

That breast pain can often be server enough to limit a woman's participation in physical activity & an effective way to limit pain is by wearing a properly fitted sports bra which can reduce breast motion & in turn reduce breast pain. "The inserts are only 2mm thick & they really make you feel invincible," Betts say.

"They are made from polyethylene material & really suitable for any sport. It's about your long term breast health. Cricketers wear a box for protection, football players wear mouthguards, women & girls shouldn't play impact sport without adequate protection for their breasts."

Since coming on the market, Boob Armour's sales have skyrocketed nationwide & internationally. Netball Scotland teams have taken up wearing Boob Armour, as have Scottish rugby union players & it's being sold by Kindred Sports, a UK based online store for female sporting garments & specific sporting items that are made for the female body.

Birch & Conti say they won't take to the field without them.

"I play basketball too & that can be tough on the boobs," says Richmond player Conti.

"I'm not sure about making them compulsory but more girls need to be aware of it and feel comfortable about breast protection. Nine times out of 10 it'll help."

Birch a physiotherapist by trade says it has changed her outlook on playing competitive sport.

"This prevents injury in the short term & long term as well", she says. "I started playing when I was 18 & this was my sixth season & I've been using Boob Armour for 2 years now.

"I was involved in the trial stage & discussions about how we could make it super easy & comfortable & now it's like wearing my mouthguard - I wouldn't feel right without them.

By Jacki Epstein, Herald Sun Weekend - 18 September 2021