England Rugby’s groundbreaking new initiative to provide sanitary provision for more than 500 rugby clubs has been hailed by Red Roses captain Marlie Packer as a fantastic scheme. The initiative, part of the Impact ’25 programme associated with Rugby World Cup 2025, aims to remove obstacles to participation for women and girls in rugby by offering sanitary provision at clubs nationwide.
The program, led by England Rugby, aims to increase opportunities and improve experiences for female players. In addition to ensuring clubs have a minimum acceptable level of sanitary provision, the initiative also focuses on raising awareness of the importance of appropriate sanitary provision and breaking the taboo around periods and women’s sport.
Packer expressed her support for the initiative, highlighting the significance of clubs offering such facilities to make the sport more inclusive. She noted the importance of having sanitary bins and products readily available in club toilets and changing rooms, making it a normal and accessible aspect of the playing experience.
Research conducted by Women In Sport, funded by Sport England, revealed that 7 in 10 teenage girls avoid physical activity during their periods, with 62% citing a fear of leakage as a key concern. Providing sanitary provision in clubs was identified as one of the top three most impactful changes for women in the game, with 50% of women considering it a priority.
England Rugby has already delivered over 300 packages of sanitary products to clubs across the country, with approximately 1000 products installed. This initiative is made possible through funding from the seven-million-pound facility investment fund under Impact ’25, which aims to enhance the overall rugby club experience for females by improving facilities like toilets, changing rooms, and social spaces.
Complementing the sanitary provisions project, England Rugby has also developed a Women’s Health Toolkit to address barriers to participation and drive cultural and behavioral change within clubs. These initiatives align with England Rugby’s ‘Every Rose’ strategy, which aims to increase the accessibility of rugby for women and girls, with the goal of having 100,000 women and girls playing the sport by 2027.
The sanitary provision initiative and the Women’s Health Toolkit represent significant steps towards promoting gender equality and inclusivity within the rugby community. By prioritising the needs and experiences of female players, England Rugby is setting a positive example for sports organizations globally, encouraging greater participation and enjoyment of the game among women and girls.