Free period products for sports clubs

Members and supporters of local sports clubs will be able to access free period products through a new £50,000 fund.

Working in partnership with sportscotland up to 500 clubs will receive grants to provide products.

By supporting clubs to offer free products to participants and visitors, the fund will support the Scottish Government’s aims to widen the availability of products beyond education and public sector settings.

Commenting during Scottish Women and Girls in Sport Week, Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell said:

“Since 2018, Scotland has led the world in tackling gender inequality and reducing the stigma of periods by increasing the availability of free period products.

“These grants will increase the provision of free products for players and visitors within hundreds of sport clubs.

“Leading an active lifestyle can improve your health and wellbeing and being a member of a local sports team is a great way to keep fit.

“We want more people to participate in sport and physical activity and don’t want a normal thing such as having your period to get in the way. Providing free products means no one has to miss out.”

Jacqueline Lynn, head of school and community sport at sportscotland, said:

“Sport has a positive impact on people and communities and sportscotland wants to ensure sport is accessible to all. These grants will help clubs across Scotland ensure all members feel included, comfortable and dignified when they take part.

“As we mark Scottish Women and Girls in Sport Week, it is important we continue to celebrate female participation across our world-class sporting system and make sure everyone feels they belong and are welcome to participate in club and community sport.”

Background

Up to 500 sport clubs affiliated with sportscotland will be provided with £100 grants to allow them to provide free period products to their members, participants and visitors.

The Scottish Government was the first government in the world to provide free access to period products in schools colleges and universities.

We took further action in January 2019 providing funding to local authorities to make period products available in more places and buildings for those who need them the most.