Here if u need - the GM Girls Network initiative

James Wright is humble, genuine and passionate about helping women and girls’ rugby.  Over the last 3 months (just three months!!!), he has not only created opportunities for rugby loving girls and women in the north-west of England through the Greater Manchester Girls Network, but he’s started the ‘Here if u need’ campaign - free period wear available in network rugby clubs.  

James is a fan of rugby.  When he was asked to get involved with the women and girls’ section at Eccles RFC, he took on the role but soon realised the low numbers in the girls’ section – many had graduated to the women’s team and there were very few left.  Problem number one was to attract more girls to the sport and to the club.

That was achieved thanks to a session where girls could go down to the club and try rugby, and over several months the number of girls playing rugby grew.  Great effort!  But then James encountered problem number two: he had to find the girls’ teams at Eccles' opponents to play against.  He understood that the girls needed matches as motivation to come to train and improve.  

And so The Greater Manchester Girls Network was created.  James contacted other rugby clubs in the northwest of England which had girls’ teams in order to create a network (leagues aren’t allowed in junior rugby; it's the responsibility of clubs to arrange fixtures for their junior teams).  Thanks to him, rugby for girls and young women is absolutely thriving with 22 clubs part of the Network in this part of the country, which is fantastic!  

(GM Girls Network clubs are girl-friendly and period-friendly: Eccles, Aldwinians, Bolton, Broughton Park, Didsbury Toc H, Burnley RUFC, Bury RUFC, Crewe & Nantwich, Littleborough, Macclesfield, Moore, Manchester, Stockport, Oldham, Preston GrassHoppers, Rochdale, Sale 1861, Sedgley Park, Southport, Trafford MV, Winnington Park & Wirral RFCs)

Here if u need

Girls’ and women’s rugby was booming: girls were regularly training and improving, there were matches to play and leagues to top.  James then came across problem number three.  Periods.

During a match, a player simply stopped what she was doing mid-game and walked off the pitch.  James was coaching the team and had no idea what was going on.  Why had she walked off without saying anything?  Was she injured?  

The player was in the women’s changing room.  

James could not enter.  

Worried, he shouted through the door to ask what was wrong.  

You guessed it.  Mid-match, the player had started her period.  She could feel it and knew she had to do something to stop an embarrassing situation on the pitch.  She told James what had happened.

James didn’t know what to do.  He asked her if she had what she needed.  

No.

He didn’t know where there were any period products in the club.  What was she going to do?

She was going to have a look in other people’s bags and hope to find something.  Otherwise, she wouldn’t be able to go on playing in this match.   

Thanks to this scenario, and with a little inspo from We are Girls in Sport, James created the ‘Here if u need’ campaign.  This campaign provides free period wear in not just Eccles Rugby Club but he has encouraged the other clubs in the network to do the same.  

As well as the campaign, James designed the branding too.  Posters are around the rugby clubs showing girls that they are period-friendly, and therefore girl-friendly, places.  Stickers show exactly where the free period wear can be found.

James understands the importance of free period wear.  

He understands that girls and women go through this every month.  

He understands that periods can be a barrier to sport and wants to make it easier for girls to be active.  

He understands that girls and women are sometimes unprepared or ‘caught short’ when they have their periods.  

He understands that some people may find it hard to afford period wear but still want to play rugby.  

We consider James to be a male ally of girls’ and women’s sport thanks to his work with rugby for women and girls in his area, and especially for his work providing free period wear and helping girls play on. Amazing work James!

If you want to make a difference at your club, it can be done! Free period wear works in dispensers, in baskets in the changing rooms, in ‘dignity boxes’ and even in ‘period first aid kits’ that are taken match to match! What works for your club?