Empowering Female Athletes: The Path to Olympic Glory Starts with Period Support

Empowering Female Athletes: The Path to Olympic Glory Starts with Period Support

As we watch the awe-inspiring performances of female athletes at the 2024 Olympics, we are reminded of the immense potential and power that lies within our sports communities. These extraordinary women, who have reached the pinnacle of their sports, didn’t achieve their dreams alone. Behind every successful athlete is a supportive club and coach that has believed in their aspirations and invested in their journey. 🌟

Breaking the Taboo: Periods, Mental Health, and the Environment

One significant barrier female athletes face is the persistent taboo surrounding menstruation. Periods have long been a topic shrouded in silence, especially in the world of sports. This lack of open conversation creates discomfort and adds an extra layer of stress to athletes already under immense pressure to perform at their best.

Managing periods during training and competition can be overwhelming. The mess, odor, and challenge of finding proper disposal options often leave athletes with limited choices. Many feel forced to flush used period products and packaging down the toilet. This seemingly quick solution comes with serious consequences—not only does it cause blockages in pipes and sewage systems across the UK, but it also contributes to plastic pollution. Blockages lead to costly repairs, higher taxes, and increased strain on water companies as they filter out plastic waste and manage sewage overspills into rivers and oceans.

For female athletes, this compounds their anxiety. Not only do they face the mental burden of managing periods during high-pressure situations, but they are also left grappling with environmental guilt. The knowledge that improper disposal is harming the planet can take a toll on their mental well-being, distracting them from their performance and fueling anxiety about their environmental impact.

However, times are changing, and FabLittleBag is committed to leading this change. Athletes should be able to focus on their performance without worrying about period management. Fablittlebag encourages clubs to supply a Coach Bag, packed with eco-friendly, toxin free period products, ensuring further complications to health are avoided by using the best products for your body. Alongside fablittlebags, for easy, discreet, and responsible disposal, no matter what the facilities.

Emma Finucane (Track Cycling) expressed her appreciation, saying, "I thought the FabLittleBags included in our kit issue was a really nice touch!" This thoughtful addition to sports kits helps athletes manage their periods discreetly, reducing the anxiety and distraction that come with improper disposal.

Becoming Period Supportive: A Crucial Step

We are thrilled to see an increasing number of sports clubs and teams becoming Period Supportive. This movement is about more than just addressing a practical need—it’s a powerful statement of solidarity and support for female athletes. By normalising conversations about menstruation and ensuring the proper disposal of period products, we create an environment where athletes can focus entirely on their performance, guilt-free.

• Normalise Conversations: Encouraging open discussions about menstruation helps break down the stigma and makes athletes feel more comfortable and supported.
• Provide Resources: Ensuring access to period products and disposal options is essential for creating a stress-free environment for athletes.
• Educate and Train: Training staff and coaches to handle these conversations with sensitivity and understanding is crucial.

Alice Kinsella OLY (Gymnastics), who competed at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, shared, “FabLittleBag supported me whilst competing at the Olympics, removing any anxiety and guilt around period disposal!” This shows how the right support can make a significant difference for athletes at the highest level of competition.

The Impact of Support

Imagine the profound impact we can have when every female athlete feels fully supported and free to pursue their dreams without barriers. 

Tess Howard (Field Hockey) applauded the movement, saying, “FabLittleBag’s Period Supportive Club Movement is great! It ensures periods are not a barrier to participation in sport. Period products and disposal are essential in female sports kits!”

Supporting our female athletes means providing them with the resources and understanding they need to excel. When clubs step up to become Period Supportive, they pave the way for their athletes to compete without hindrances, inspiring them to aim for the highest levels of achievement—perhaps even the Olympics.

Fiona Crackles (Field Hockey) was excited to find FabLittleBag in her kit, sharing, “I was buzzing to open up our kitting out bags and find your products!” With the stress of period management removed, athletes like Fiona can focus entirely on their sport.

Other athletes who benefit from FabLittleBag’s support include:

• Sarah Robertson (Field Hockey)
• Isla Normanbell (Rugby Sevens)
• Beth Potter (Triathlon)
• Heidi Long (Rowing)
• Emily Ford (Rowing) shared her excitement, saying, “These are great!! Thank you so much for supporting us.”
• Esme Boothy (Rowing)

Mental Health, Training, and Convenience

The benefits of being Period Supportive go beyond convenience. Mental health is greatly impacted when athletes don’t have to worry about period management on top of the pressures of training and competition. FabLittleBag ensures that athletes can manage their periods in a way that’s guilt-free, eco-conscious, and convenient, which ultimately contributes to their overall well-being.

Join the Movement

We invite all sports clubs to join us in this crucial movement. Let’s work together to break down barriers and support our female athletes in reaching their full potential. Your club could be the difference between an athlete being distracted by discomfort or focusing on their performance and winning medals.

Which club do you know that could take this transformative step and become Period Supportive? Let’s share this message and spread the word. Encourage your local sports clubs to visit: Become Period Supportive

Support Women in Sports

The journey of a female athlete is filled with challenges, but with the right support, they can overcome any obstacle and shine on the world stage. Let’s ensure our clubs are places of empowerment, understanding, and support. Let’s be the champions behind the champions. 🏅

Sign up and join other clubs pioneering to support the future of sport and inclusivity.
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