the rules, a still sensitive subject in the world of amateur football

“I have my period, I play football” is the name of a survey unveiled Tuesday, on the occasion of World Menstrual Hygiene Day. It focuses on the management of menstruation within women’s amateur football teams and the physical and moral consequences on the players, in particular fatigue.

The study carried out by the Elementary Rules association, which fights against menstrual insecurity and the taboo of periods, as well as by the Fondaction du football, was carried out throughout France with more than 600 amateur footballers, aged 11 to 18 years. France Inter reveals the main results, on the occasion of World Menstrual Hygiene Day.

It shows, for example, that one player in three is stressed when she goes to training during her period. The reasons are explained by Justine Okolodkoff, of the Elementary Rules association: “It’s both the stress of pain, of having a stain on your shorts and also, the more general stress of being looked at by others or of being less good than the rest of the time.” Nearly 40% of players have had to miss a match because of their period and more than half feel slowed down in their sporting progress because of their menstrual cycle, the study indicates.

Also according to this survey, almost one in two players do not feel comfortable talking about the rules within their team because there is embarrassment. “They will not approach him, confirms Pascale Choquet, president of a women’s football club in Val-de-Marne. I think they don’t talk about it at home, so we don’t talk about it.” The president must therefore take the initiative to put them at ease. “I was very direct, we’ve all been there,” she declares.

“When they’re on their period, I want them to tell their coach, whether it’s a boy or a girl, ‘I’m on my blue period’.”

Pascale Choquet, president of a women’s football club

at franceinfo

“People don’t need to know that these are rules. It’s our language”justifies Pascale Choquet.

A freedom of speech which is precisely encouraged by the Règles Élementaires association. Fact, “by the time they enter puberty, more than a third of young female footballers have never attended a period workshop”, notes this investigation. We think “that this first stage of menstrual education is necessary”, add the authors of this investigation. Justine Okolodfof particularly requests moments of discussion on this subject. “In many amateur clubs, during school holidays, there are times that are offered. It could be to organize information sessions at that time, to bring in associations, professionals”she suggests.

The association is also asking for support from coaches on how to approach this still taboo subject. It’s necessary “equip the supervisors” for them to arrive “to understand the links between sporting rules and practices to enable a more benevolent sporting environment”. Everything must be done to “generalize menstrual education in clubs” so that “the rules are no longer a hindrance in the sporting practice of young girls and that coaches have the necessary tools to inform, guide and answer questions”.