Every stain should be part of the game

Six out of 10 girls fear playing sport due to period leaks*. It’s a stark statistic, and a barrier we’re determined to break.

So, Dirt Is Good is teaming up with us to tackle the double standard of blood stains in sport in our latest campaign and partnership activation. When someone plays with a bleeding ankle, their blood-stained sock is a mark of courage. But a period stain would be marked with shame or embarrassment. Why? 

Grass, mud, sweat. All normal stains. So is blood, even when it’s from a period. 

So, whether you are a parent who wants to understand how to prevent their daughter from skipping sport due to their period, a coach who wants to spark the conversation and break down barriers, or simply someone who strives to continue to be an ally for girls during their period, this campaign is for you - our change makers. 

And to the women and girls who stopped playing sports because they've been made to feel afraid, embarrassed or ashamed of a period leak – your captains, defenders, attackers, Sports Personalities of the Year, Golden Boot winners, the players who know the game inside out - they’ve got your back. 

So choose to play on, without fear, without shame. Because periods shouldn’t stop your game.

OUR WORK WITH ARSENAL IN THE COMMUNITY

At Dirt Is Good, we want girls to feel supported, challenge and change period stain perceptions, and ultimately leave young boys and girls feeling empowered with a new understanding and supportive attitude towards women and girls experiencing periods. 

We will do this through our campaign, but also through our educational workshops with Arsenal in the Community.

dirt is good hub visit

On February 5, we launched our workshops, delivering sessions to 104 children from schools in the local area. From a stadium tour and immersive pitch games, to an educational classroom session, the day had a central focus of addressing period stains in sports and promoting women’s participation.

But we aren’t stopping there. Our sessions will continue to be rolled out across Arsenal in the Community sessions for different schools and members of the local community. Because it will take all of us: friends, coaches, teachers, parents and players to be the change.

*Youth Sport Trust, 2024