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Huge win for AFLW players as league announces it will stop forcing visiting teams to wear white shorts at a ‘peak moment’ in Aussie rules history
White shorts have been phased out in the AFLW to ease anxiety for menstruating players.
The move, announced on Thursday, will take effect immediately in all women’s competitions organized by and associated with the AFL.
The league is following similar measures that have been implemented in tennis (Wimbledon), cricket (Test matches) and soccer around the world.
AFLW players will no longer have to wear white shorts at a “peak moment” for the sport
“While this is a policy change for women and girls in AFL-organized competitions, the ripple effect for community sport for women and girls is immense – we want to lead in removing any barriers that prevent women and girls from girls participate in Australian rules football,” said AFLW boss Nicole Livingstone.
“This is a pinnacle moment in AFL history, the creation of a uniform policy that reflects the modern needs of female athletes.
“There has been a movement in women’s sports globally to address the anxiety of athletes about wearing white shorts/shorts during menstrual cycles. We have listened to our players and industry experts and have created a best practice policy to ensure we are removing any barriers to participation or performance.”
All 18 AFLW clubs will continue to have colored shorts for home games and will be able to wear them to any game throughout the season.
But the clubs will also have another set of colored shorts to wear if there is a clash over kits.
AFLW boss Nicole Livingstone hailed the move to alleviate anxiety surrounding players’ menstruation
“Putting the health and well-being of our players first and supporting everyone to play Australian rules football is central to everything we do in the AFL,” said Kate Hall, the AFL’s director of mental health and well-being.
“This policy is to ensure that women and girls can confidently play and enjoy Australian rules football, free from the impact of period stigma.”
Richmond star Gabby Seymour revealed that the players were relieved by the kit change.
‘[While white shorts] they weren’t going to stop anyone from playing, we have enough things to worry about, so it’s nice to have an extra stressor removed,” he said.
“We want as many players as we can get, so if that’s something we can do to make the girls more comfortable playing, then I think that’s an incredible result.”