England Rugby changing the game for women and girls with free sanitary provisions
The world has moved on from rugby union being a predominantly male sport. With more women and girls than ever playing the game, England Rugby are recognising and determining to remove the barriers to playing that many have faced.
Research by Women in Sport found that 7 in 10 teenage girls avoid activity when they’re on their period and that providing sanitary provision in clubs was one of the top three most impactful changes that could be made for females in the game.
England Rugby are working to see these needs are met by providing sanitary provisions to more than 500 rugby clubs nationwide for their female players, members and visitors.
The initiative is part of Impact ’25, England Rugby’s legacy programme associated with the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 and aims to encourage more women and girls to get involved in rugby by increasing opportunities and improving experiences for female players.
The initiative has seen more than 300 packages already delivered to clubs nationwide and around 1,000 sanitary products being installed at clubs up and down the country.
Clubs such as Cotham Park, Upper Eden RFC and Ryton Rugby Club have been among those to benefit from the scheme.
England Rugby also has developed a Women’s Health Toolkit to help break down barriers to participation and fast-track cultural and behavioural change in clubs.
Red Roses Captain, Marlie Packer said: “I think clubs offering these facilities makes rugby more inclusive. Just the simple things of sanitary bins, I know that sounds bit stupid, but we never used to see them in the clubs’ toilets and changing rooms.
“And now to see sanitary bins and products, whether that's a sanitary towel or tampon that you can grab and use when you need, when you've been caught off guard, it's a really fantastic scheme.”
