Play On third anniversary
Three years ago, we were inspired to begin Play On, the campaign for free period wear in sports clubs and venues.
Why period wear?
Periods are one of the top barriers to girls being active. Menstruators worry about being ‘caught short’ without sanitary wear and leaking through their kit, as well as the cramps and general discomfort of periods putting them off being active. We can’t do anything about cramps - yet - but we can help girls to feel prepared and ready to hit the court, pitch, trail, pool … you get the gist.
Why should period wear be free?
Because we can’t help them.
Menstruation is an involuntary bodily function that 50% of the population experience. Girls start their periods during puberty and sometimes that’s from as young as nine (the average age of our questionnaire respondents is 12). They take a while to settle down into a regular rhythm so the frequency can fluctuate. This unpredictability means that girls can be unprepared when their period comes, either the first time or every time.
“I hate having my period; it is irregular and often very light but I feel rubbish whilst on it.”
Periods can be disruptive but they’re also a sign that bodies are well, just like going to the toilet - another involuntary function. At sports clubs and venues we don’t have to pay for toilet paper (tell us if there’s a place that does charge!) so why should menstruators pay for period wear?
We know that period wear feels like something extra to provide, but we know that girls and women feel better about being active when it’s available.
“[I feel] more comfortable; if it comes when you don’t expect it, you know you have products available.
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Play On campaign
We provided girls with guidance on how to approach their club and inspiration from other places who were already providing free period wear.
We answered questions from clubs about why girls and women need free period wear and we encouraged girls to complete our questionnaire, to hear from them directly about - how did periods really make them feel? When they walk into a club’s toilets or changing rooms and see free period wear, what did they think?
We worked with big brands to provide discounts to clubs and just as periods continue, so do we. Another brand has just joined our list of Play On Partners.
Perhaps the easiest way to work out how period friendly your club is is to play Loo Bingo - just tick off what your period facilities your club has! You’ll be amazed to hear that some club grounds don’t even have a toilet.
How to get involved
Check what facilities are available to menstruators at your club. Is that enough or could they do more?
If you think they could do more, think about how it could be achieved and check out our Play On partners for deals and discounts. Remember, we don’t pay for toilet paper so why should we pay for sanitary wear when we’re caught short?
Think about your club kit - are white shorts or skorts a problem? Could they be a different colour and you follow the lead of many elite teams?
Share your good news with us! We want to celebrate period friendly clubs and show other clubs how it can be done.
Let’s help girls Play On, whatever the time of the month.