The England football women’s team is the latest team to ditch white shorts for blue ones. The move comes amidst a growing movement to accommodate athletes competing during their menstrual cycles.
The Football Association (FA) confirmed this on Monday, after players voiced concerns about playing in white while on their period.
“The Lionesses will also showcase the new design during April’s games with Brazil at Wembley in the inaugural UEFA Finalissima and then against Australia at Brentford FC,” the FA said in a statement.
Soccer isn’t the only sporting code making this important statement, rugby (Ireland women’s rugby team) and tennis (Wimbledon) have also joined the movement.
Women’s teams at Manchester City and West Bromwich Albion have since switched to navy and burgundy shorts, respectively, while the Ireland women’s rugby team also announced a change to navy blue shorts last month.
The Wimbledon Tennis Championship also known as the grass court Grand Slam, will make an exception to its strict all-white dress code and allow female players to wear dark coloured undershorts from this year’s tournament moving forward.
Sally Bolton, chief executive of the All England Club, said: “We are committed to supporting the players and listening to their feedback as to how they can perform at their best. From next year, women and girls competing at The Championships will have the option of wearing coloured under shorts if they choose.
“It is our hope that this rule adjustment will help players focus purely on their performance by relieving a potential source of anxiety.”
Challenges for women’s sports and women in sports are still major, however strides have been made and participation at various levels has taken centre stage, but to ensure the numbers keep growing, it starts with players feeling comfortable in their kit from grassroots right through to the elite level.
