BLOG IMAGE Suzie Betts

Suzie Betts, Founder & Owner, Boob Armour: Female Leader Conversations

An Official AFL/AFLW and Basketball Australia Licensed product and fitting snugly into any sports bra or crop top, Boob Armour Protective Inserts support and protect the breasts by absorbing impact and therefore alleviating injury. Suzie Betts has launched the first of its kind and is creating a brand new market in female protection.

INJURY PREVENTION

Why did you create Boob Armour?

Having found lumps in my breast the first question I was asked from my surgeon was ‘Have you ever received a trauma to the breast?’. Impact bruising to the female breast can result in the formation of hard nodules/lumps which can mimic breast cancer cells.

Numerous tests, biopsies and for me surgery, was needed to rule this out. With two daughters playing football I started to think about breast protection, and so the idea of Boob Armour was born.

PROTECTIVE SPORTING EQUIPMENT

Who is Boob Armour designed for?

From grass roots to elite these encapsulating inserts protect the breasts of females playing contact, impact and ball sports. Weighing 15gm each and only 2mm thick slipping into any crop top or sports bra they are worn by females playing Aussie rules, basketball, netball, rugby, soccer, hockey and cricket just to name a few.

EARLY INTERVENTION

Why is it important to wear protective sporting equipment from a young age?

Research shows that the underdeveloped breast is just as vulnerable to injury as a developed one, therefore we recommend wearing protection from eight years’ old. Like a mouthguard, helmet, shinguards or cricket box, inserts being worn from a young age will protect from long term trauma and create lifetime habits. The confidence athletes feel when wearing them is incredible.

MEDICAL RESEARCH

What are the research findings that informed Boob Armour’s development?

A 2020 University survey of 207 female Australian Football League (AFL) and rugby players, reported 58% ever experiencing a contact breast injury, and 48% perceiving that their injury affected their football performance. Most female AFL players (87%) reported wearing a sports bra, however only 30% perceived their bra provided any protection against contact breast injuries.

Apart from the pain, and possible games missed, significant impact bruising to the female breast results in the formation of hard nodules/ lumps in the breast tissue. Later on, these lumps can be difficult to differentiate from breast cancer, and several tests causing personal stress and increased medical costs may be needed before breast cancer can be ruled out.

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Posted by Jade Collins - Femeconomy Director

Jade Collins has 20 years’ global experience in corporate executive Human Resources and management consulting roles in the Mining, Energy and Aerospace industries, leading large scale, complex multi-million-dollar change management programs. Jade finds the combination of her HR, Psychology and MBA qualifications and her leadership experience is invaluable for increasing gender equality in leadership across industries. Jade was a member of the Queensland Government's Strategic Advisory Group for the Toward Gender Parity: Women on Boards Initiative and the 2019 CQU Alumni of the Year for Social Impact for her work with Femeconomy.