Reforming breast protection: Boob Armour’s Suzie Betts on female safety in sport

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Katrina Gorry
Image credit: Rachel Bach/By The White Line

Boob Armour is a revolutionary Australian business dedicated to women’s safety and empowerment that has emerged as a beacon of hope in the field of breast protection.

Founded by Suzie Betts with a mission to support and educate females, Boob Armour is not just another company – it is a movement that embraces strength, resilience and empowerment.

Boob Armour has changed the way female’s approach safety during physical activities and sports. With their cutting-edge products and commitment to education, they are making a significant impact on female’s lives.

The inception of Boob Armour was inspired by the personal journey of Suzie finding lumps in her breast due to trauma she faced in her younger years that left her feeling vulnerable and unsupported. Determined to find a solution, she embarked on a mission to design innovative breast protection that would ensure both comfort and safety and create a positive change.

At the heart of Boob Armour’s mission is empowerment. By providing specialised breast protection, Boob Armour enables females to participate in physical activities with confidence and without the fear of injury.

Their products are designed with the utmost care, prioritising both functionality and style, ensuring that females feel comfortable and empowered while wearing them.

Through workshops, online resources, and collaborations with medical professionals, Boob Armour ensures that females have access to the latest information and expert advice on breast injury prevention.

Boob Armour’s dedication to education goes beyond individuals; they also collaborate with schools and sports organisations to implement breast injury prevention programs.

In an exclusive chat with Soccerscene, Suzie Betts shared some insights about the beginnings of the company, their involvement with the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the impact Boob Armour will have in the future of female sports.

Can you tell us more about the inspiration behind the creation of Boob Armour and how your personal health scare played a role in its development?

Suzie Betts: The inspiration from Boob Armour was obviously from a trauma that I received and presented itself later in life.

Having two daughters who played contact and impact sports, it became my mission to make sure that they, for one, were protected from any type of impact injury. It then progressed from there, as I became more and more aware of the research regarding breast trauma and it became my mission to protect all females playing sports right from grassroots to elite.

Young girls can experience a trauma that obviously hurts at the time, but also may present itself later in life with lumps that can be mistaken for breast cancer cells. We are wanting to create the habit of protection as soon as the girls start playing sports. So, they pack their bag for soccer, they pack their shin guards, their mouth guard, and they pack their Boob Armour – they’re creating that habit.

Breast health is a significant concern for women. How does Boob Armour promote breast health and what measures do you take as a brand to promote this?

Suzie Betts: We are a breast health platform focused on opening up conversations about breast health, impact, and injury. We aim to address the unreported nature of breast injuries and promote discussions to make it a comfortable topic, similar to discussing injuries to other body parts. Professional athletes like Katrina Gorry from the Matildas support our cause and have worn our inserts to protect their milk supply while breastfeeding. Many other elite athletes in sports such as basketball, netball, Aussie rules football, and more are also recognising the importance of breast protection.

Can you explain how the design and materials of Boob Armour provide comprehensive protection and support to female players during the Women’s FIFA World Cup?

Suzie Betts: Our product ensures a snug and comfortable fit for females with different breast sizes and shapes. It easily slips into their favourite crop top or sports bra, making it comfortable and easy to wear. The inserts are lightweight (15g each), thin (2mm), and breathable. We offer a range of sizes, and our website features a Fit Calculator to help find the perfect size. Made of polyethylene, our inserts absorb impact effectively, providing the best barrier between impact and the breast.

Well-fitted sports bras with proper breast protection, Boob Armour, helps ensure physical comfort, minimise the risk of breast-related injuries, and enhance body confidence. By providing the necessary support and safety, breast protection allows female players to focus on their performance with greater peace of mind, contributing to their overall well-being and self-assurance on the field during the Women’s FIFA World Cup.

In what ways does Boob Armour contribute to the emotional well-being and self-confidence of female athletes competing in the Women’s FIFA World Cup?

Suzie Betts: There still needs to be more education on the long-term effects so that females are aware of what an elbow to the breast in a soccer game really does. 

We now have medical evidence that a trauma can affect a woman’s breast feeding capabilities.  This is an emotional & stressful time for a new mother and if this can be avoided with adequate protection, it should be.

In soccer, player safety should be paramount and that includes recognising the sensitivity and vulnerability of the breast area.  An elbow to the breast should be recognised as a “strike attempt” just like any other contact that can cause pain and potential injury and therefore penalised.

If breast protection was mandated like shin guards & mouthguards that would empower current and future generations of female soccer players, sending a powerful message about inclusivity and the importance of respecting the female body in the game.

What are your plans for Boob Armour? Are there any new developments or improvements on the horizon?

Suzie Betts: As our global expansion continues, we are thrilled to see a surge in athletes from different regions, all recognising the crucial role of breast protection. The United Kingdom, Europe, and the USA have shown immense interest across a wide range of sports. Moreover, we have made strides in partnering with major teams, leagues, and colleges to integrate our innovative PPE strategy into their progression models. Our influence reaches even further, collaborating with Gaelic Sports teams in Ireland and making an impact in countries like India, where cricket and hockey enjoy immense popularity.

Together, we are championing the cause of safety and empowerment in sports.

For more information regarding Boob Armour and the impact they are having in the education of breast injuries visit: https://www.boobarmour.com.au/about-us/

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FIFA World Cup 26 Mascots and Why FIFA’s New Videogame Title Is Interesting

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Image Credit: FIFA

Did you know FIFA has already unveiled the mascots for next year’s FIFA World Cup? Did you also know the mascots will be FIFA’s first “interactive mascots” in an upcoming video game?

Being held all over North America (Canada, the United States, and Mexico), the colourful trio, Maple the Moose, Clutch the Bald Eagle and Zayu the Jaguar, will represent their respective countries in the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The FIFA World Cup mascot is made to represent the country hosting the game, its culture, and, more importantly, the game of football and FIFA. As ambassadors of the game, carefully designed by a team of experts, they are made to advertise football as a family-friendly event, especially to appeal to children in hopes of future generations of supporters.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated in the press release announcing the mascots that they are central to the incredible, entertaining atmosphere the governing body has created for the game-changing tournament.

“They’ll win hearts and spark celebrations across North America and around the world,” he said.

“I can already picture them on children’s shirts, high-fiving football legends, and—in another first for this tournament—staring in video games played by millions worldwide.”

The video game he’s referring to is FIFA Heroes, FIFA’s new licensed title where professional football teams and the tournament itself are replaced by playable mascots. From the first-ever mascot, Willie, to the current group, you can put in teams of five.

To put it into context, the videogame, which will release on all current-gen consoles and mobile next year in line with the beginning of the World Cup, is made for younger fans. The videogame will also be a part of the growing portfolio of FIFAe, the electronic entertainment and esports department of the governing body, to make digital football accessible to more fans, the press release said.

FIFA are also partnering with Roblox to deliver in-game events and host quests illustrating each mascot’s role with themed rewards, which, in my humble opinion, may not be a good idea after the news surrounding how the site polices itself this year.

All up, the news is very clear: FIFA are going to try to engage young fans through video games next year. But this isn’t a new move for them.

FIFA’s Videogame Franchise

FIFA has always had a significant presence in the videogame market. The body’s nearly annual titles are shipped by the millions across the world, and that’s only counting the physical copies. If the current year’s game is a little too pricey, you can go over to the bargain bin and grab a previous year for the same console.

Furthermore, since the 1980s, World Cups have had video game tie-ins to celebrate the tournament and the qualifying teams when they play in them. It’s only since 2018, when the 2018 World Cup was relegated to a DLC (downloadable content) for FIFA 18.

The audience of these games are primarily young males and people who enjoy the sport recreationally; not to mention, the games usually score well with critics.

So, why make a grand new title when the franchise you’ve created works? There’s not a clear enough answer, but we can guess creating a brand-new game with three times the stadiums and locations and then having national football team branding as well as being able to know which ones will qualify for next year in time is more expensive to make than using already owned mascots in a 5v5 football game.

So, What Makes The News Interesting?

By FIFA creating a game, developed and published by ENVER in partnership with Solace, for an event that changes location every event, it is more cost-effective and could be successful in bringing more attention to the FIFA World Cup by breaking the mould of tie-ins like done with the Olympics.

Also, FIFA Heroes having mascots from every World Cup appear allows the governing body and the creators of the game the ability to use the title for the next event and maybe continue the game into a larger franchise through FIFAe.

Though, to be fair, since it will be on mobile and it’s aimed at children, FIFA would definitely have to watch and safeguard against predatory advertisements and incentives in regard to microtransactions, which could negatively affect their children player base. Think more stealing their parents’ credit card than loot boxes.

Why Building Relationships Is Football’s Most Underrated Strategy

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Football leaders and volunteers connecting at a community event, representing strong relationships in football governance.

Football’s biggest wins don’t always happen on the pitch. Often, they start in boardrooms, local clubs, and community halls, anywhere people come together to connect, collaborate, and build trust. From volunteers running grassroots clubs to commercial partners investing in growth, and even friends of business creating unexpected opportunities, relationships are the invisible engine driving football forward. Yet, for many governing bodies, this is still one of the most undervalued strategies in the game.

Why Relationship Building Matters

At every level of football, relationships form the foundation of success. Governance isn’t just about structures, rules, and strategies. It’s about people. It’s about conversations, shared ambitions, and mutual respect that hold the game together.

Volunteers are the heart of Australian football. They paint lines, run barbecues, manage teams, and keep the lights on. Their connection to local associations and federations often determines how valued and supported they feel. When governing bodies invest time in listening, not just speaking, they strengthen the grassroots fabric that supports the entire pyramid.

Commercial partners represent a different but equally important relationship. Their involvement is not purely transactional. When partnerships are built on shared values, community engagement, inclusion, and youth development, they transcend sponsorship. They become collaborations that deliver both commercial return and social impact.

Governing bodies that treat partners as part of the football family, not just as funders, build credibility and long-term loyalty.

And then there are the friends of business, the connectors, advocates, and community leaders who bridge the gap between sport, government, and industry. Their relationships often bring football opportunities that no policy or marketing campaign could achieve alone.

Yet one of the most underutilise relationships in football governance remains formal MoUs with the private sector. These agreements, when structured thoughtfully, can unlock resources, expertise, and new initiatives that benefit both parties.

Too often, governing bodies have relied on ad-hoc partnerships or sponsorships, overlooking the strategic potential that comes from a long-term, mutually committed relationship with private enterprises.

How Relationships Drive Positive Change and Disruption

Change in football doesn’t happen in isolation. It’s driven by trust, collaboration, and a willingness to embrace new ideas. When federations, clubs, and partners trust one another, they share ideas more freely, challenge old ways of doing things, and create the conditions for positive disruption that moves the game forward.

Strong relationships allow organisations to test new initiatives knowing that success – and even failure – will be met with shared accountability, not blame. They foster an environment where learning never stops, where innovation is encouraged, and where unexpected opportunities can emerge from left field.

Opportunities often come from surprising sources, whether it’s a new partnership idea, a regional tournament concept, or a media collaboration that suddenly gathers momentum. These moments only happen when relationships are open, inclusive, and built on respect.

For governing bodies, leading with openness and transparency builds confidence. When stakeholders understand not just what decisions are made, but why, they are more likely to engage constructively and contribute to meaningful change.

Collaboration between federations and clubs, between football and local councils, or between governing bodies and media partners, has already shown how powerful shared vision can be in driving both positive change and disruption across the game.

The Football Convention in Queensland demonstrates what is possible when state governing bodies work hand in hand with industry, media, and grassroots representatives. It’s not just an event; it’s a living example of relationship-driven progress.

As former Football Australia Chairman Chris Nikou once said, Football succeeds when everyone, from the grassroots to the elite, feels they’re part of the same story.

That simple truth captures the essence of why relationships matter. When people feel included, when they feel ownership of the game’s direction, they contribute with passion and purpose.

The Social Impact of Connection

Strong relationships create stronger communities. Football is the most accessible sport in Australia and arguably the most diverse. It brings together people of all ages, cultures, and abilities.

But that inclusivity only thrives when governing bodies prioritise relationships over bureaucracy.

When federations build genuine partnerships with community organisations, local government, and schools, football becomes a vehicle for social cohesion. It’s not just about growing participation, it’s about fostering connection, belonging, and identity.

The social impact can be enormous. A single community football club, supported by its governing body and local partners, can influence public health, youth engagement, and regional economies.

Football, at its best, reflects the character of the community it serves.

Being Part of the Journey

Perhaps the most powerful part of relationship building in football governance is the shared sense of journey. Everyone, from the volunteer running the canteen to the CEO in the boardroom, contributes to a common story.

When people feel that their effort matters and that they’re part of something with direction and meaning, remarkable things happen.

Being part of the journey also means showing up, not just when it’s convenient, but when it’s hard. It’s about having conversations that are honest and sometimes uncomfortable, yet always constructive. It’s about acknowledging the people who make the game what it is, even when the spotlight isn’t on them.

Relationships built on respect and shared experience endure well beyond individual roles. They create a culture of trust that allows football to keep evolving, one season, one club, one collaboration at a time.

Achieving Positive Outcomes

When governing bodies invest in relationships, they invest in the future of the game. Strong relationships lead to more resilient clubs, more confident administrators, and more connected communities.

They make football not just something we watch, but something we belong to.

The positive outcomes are seen not only in participation numbers or financial reports but in the energy around the game, the excitement at junior matches, the pride in local tournaments, and the willingness of partners to reinvest because they believe in the vision.

In the end, football governance isn’t about control, it’s about connection.

The most successful federations understand that leadership in football is relational, not hierarchical. They lead through inclusion, collaboration, and shared belief.

When that happens, when volunteers, partners, and governing bodies move together, football doesn’t just grow. It transforms.

Football thrives not because of systems, but because of people, their connections, their shared journey, and the unexpected opportunities that emerge when we collaborate.

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