England considering scrapping white shorts over period concerns

England stars have spoken to Nike about scrapping white shorts from their kit over concerns of playing on their periods.

England began their Euro 2022 campaign on Wednesday evening in the best possible way, beating Austria 1-0 in front of a sold-out Old Trafford, all while wearing their white kit.

However, according to the Telegraph, the design is causing anxiety among players and discussions have taken place with the FA and their official kit manufacturer over the possibility of switching up the bottom half of the design.

Beth Mead says it is ‘not practical’ for England stars to wear white shorts on their period

‘It’s something we’ve fed back to Nike,’ said Wednesday’s goalscoring hero Beth Mead. ‘Hopefully they’re going to change that [the colour]. 

‘It’s very nice to have an all-white kit but sometimes it’s not practical when it’s the time of the month. We deal with it as best we can. We’ve discussed it as a team and we’ve fed that back to Nike.’ 

Asked if there was any preference on which colour could be brought in, Mead explained: ‘I’m pretty easy, I’m pretty laid back to be fair. As long as I’m playing for my country, I don’t mind what I wear.’

There is an understanding from players that moving away from the traditional England colour scheme of all white is a tough call. 

England stars revealed discussions have been held over changing the colour of their shorts

Georgia Stanway also spoke on the subject on Wednesday evening and admitted that it was far from a straightforward call.

‘It’s difficult, because we associate England with white,’ said Stanway, who was named player of the match at Old Trafford. 

‘The home kit is unbelievable, it looks really nice. I think that’s something that we can speak about as a full squad, as a group of girls.

‘I think next year there is potentially a colour change going in. I think it’s hard, because once you’re on the grass, nothing else matters. 

‘I think we have a good doctor who likes to look after us. As soon as the adrenaline comes in, you could be naked and nobody cares. That’s what happens when you’re on the pitch, you forget about everything.’

Football is not the only sport where the issue has been raised. Women who participate at Wimbledon are still obliged to the rules that all competitors must where all-white uniforms while on court at SW19. 

British tennis star Alicia Barnett opened up about the stress of wearing whites while being on her period and how the symptoms affected her play.  

 British tennis star Alicia Barnett opened up about the stress of wearing whites at Wimbledon

‘I do think some traditions could be changed,’ she said.

‘I, for one, am a massive advocate for women’s rights and I think having this discussion is just amazing, that people are now talking about it.

‘Personally, I love the tradition of all-whites and I think we will handle it pretty well.

‘I think being on your period on the tour is hard enough, but to wear whites as well isn’t easy.’

A host of tennis players have spoken out about the strict dress code, with British player Heather Watson telling The Times: ‘I have come off court and I’ve looked and gone: “Oh my God. I hope you can’t see that in any pictures.”‘

Meanwhile social media users have also been campaigning for a change to the dress code, with one tweeting: ‘I love Wimbledon. But as a former athlete who prayed ahead of every major swim meet that I wouldn’t have my period that day, I’ve always wondered how female tennis players felt about being forced to wear white (with limited bathroom breaks). 

While another wrote: ‘Wimbledon dress code tradition is actually wild when you think about it. Making the girlies rock white? What must happen when they’re on their period?

‘The constant anxiety you’d have about a potential leak. Free the girlies from wearing white please.’