British Army announces £50 a year funding for sports bras for female personnel

The British Army is to offer all eligible personnel £50 a year towards the cost of a sports bra, which can be claimed via expenses.

An Army Briefing Note (ABN) outlined: "The intent and provision behind this announcement is to provide a mechanism through which the Army can contribute on an annual basis up to £50, to the cost of sports bras."

Since 2021, the Army began issuing individually fitted sports bras to all women in basic training.

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This followed a study led by Army Recruit Health and Performance Research that found that 85% per cent of female recruits experience breast health issues relating to inadequate breast support and poor bra fitting.

In 2022, the Royal Navy rolled out funding for female regulars and reserves to claim for two sports bras, up to a maximum value of £50.

An Army spokesperson said: "All female Army recruits have been individually fitted, and issued, free sports bras in a bid to alleviate symptoms of ill-fitting bras during basic training since 2019.

"This has now been extended to those in service with service personnel entitled to submit an expense claim of up to £50 per annum to contribute towards the cost of sports bras to improve comfort on exercises and operations."

According to the ABN, personnel should source their own sports bras and use a fitting service to ensure they have a bra which offers sufficient support for all levels of physical training.

The announcement was welcomed by Army medic and paramedic Lance Corporal Natasha Day who has championed women's causes in the military, including setting up the Defence Breastfeeding Network in 2020.

She said on X: "I'm so glad that the Army are putting money towards this project!"

Retailer Boobydoo is the official supplier and fitter of sports bras to British Army recruits.

It offers three different types of sports bras for new female soldiers to ensure they can complete the different physical activities required.

It is vital for performance that personnel are not distracted by wearing uncomfortable sports bras that interfere with carrying a Bergan and webbing, or an underwired sports bra that is not suitable under body armour. 

Boobydoo has a wide selection of bras with band sizes from 24 to 56 and from A to K cups to cater for every different body shape and size.