Vests must go!!!

For the benefit of the non-aussies here, for some reason somebody decided to bring in a rule that guys have to wear a light or dark vest when playing at nationals a few years ago, and we are still stuck with them despite everyone hating them (as I'm sure this poll will show). This year at the Perth nationals, they got rid of them and now apparently they're back. Appart from the extra cost involved, they create drag and look silly.

There were a couple of reasons the vest were initially introduced. One was to make the game a bit more visually appealing to on-lookers, ie be easy for people who don't know the game to be able to tell that there are actually 2 teams in the water, not just a pack of people doing something silly in the pool. And the other was to make it easy for refs to distinguish teams. Unfortunately I think it didn't really work as it was hard to get something that fitted properly that didn't create drag and at Nationals level not everyone has the body of a triathlete or ironman so they are not all that attractive (although I'm sure some of the guys have been tempted to wear the white vests out clubbing :lol: )

The idea was a good one but I'm with you Nicky. I don't think they really achieved either objective.

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Breathing is overrated!

I think they look great and make such a difference when you are watching the game. Gav, did you try the ones the VICs designed and were used at Syd Nationals by NSW and VIC?

Regarding drag - it's the same for everybody and you won't win that argument with the girls who wear full piece bathers. I think the big number on the back is great - just look at those videos posted from the Perth Nats when NSW or Vic are playing - you can actually see the number very clearly!

Regarding body shape and fit - join our world! Use it as an incentive to train.

GO THE VEST!

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Off Half-Backs Rule

Keen as I am to see Gav in a one-piece, what do the rules actually state? Are you allowed to use body paint instead? 'Cause that'd be cool...

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It's not whether you win or lose - but whether I win or lose.

They don't create that much drag - not enough to make any sort of significant difference. If it's creating drag, maybe it's stretched?

I agree with Lena's points - it does make a difference when watching the game - it's definitely helpful for spectators.

I'm in two minds about the vests - I can see the benefits but I can also see the reasons some hate them.

I think the rule is that 80% of the torso needs to be covered, is that right?

Hey Lena, by virtue of your gender I don't think you should get a vote. After all, if we're letting women decide what men have to play in, then to be fair men should be able to decide what women have to play in :P

with respect to the drag argument, when was the last time you played in size 28 bathers?, because that is what it's like when you are my size and your XS vest is ~5 games old.

haha yeh i have the same proablem as nicky

im with nicky. i've had to wear them at aussie nationals.

they are yuk. they are an un-necessary annoyance. i can see some of the argument of making it easier to watch... but not really.

if it's a case of player identification, why not just use lycra netball-style bibs over the shoulders and back, make em as tight as you want and they wont ride up or sag down around the belly in such an annoying way. or even better, as benny says, spray your number with a fat stencil on your back. or just use coloured tap or something that sticks for a game.

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it's more polite on the grating than on the subs bench

We wore rash vests at the worlds and i'm sure one of the other teams did too (possibly Turkey). Non of the girls complained about too much drag. I hardly noticed i had it on.

You guys must think the are more muscular than you actually are :wink:

I dont now those vests.
the dutch competition dont now those.
And i never seen them by the top-rank players off the Netherlands

But may i ask? Will it be an sulution to a lower class player (1 off my second team)
To wear those vests? He has some piersings and is always busy to tape them off.
A vest sounds a beter sulution for him.

Are there some photos?
Were can you cet 1?

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When you are good, then you are not bad..