More to follow from period supportive campaign, in partnership with FabLittleBag, after successful first event

A portable Coach Bag containing period products and the means of disposing of them in a safe and environmentally-friendly way was made available to players of all participating nations – England, Scotland, Ireland and Northern Ireland – at the tournament held at the National Volleyball Centre in Kettering from 3rd to 5th January. 

Coaches and support staff of all nations were briefed in the technical meeting about the new initiative so that players were aware, while posters were also put up in the changing rooms. 

Coach bags will now be made available at further upcoming events during the rest of the season, including the U18 Super Series, Student Cup Finals, Last 8 matches, Final 4, Play-offs and Cup Finals Weekend.  

Further promotion of the campaign will also be rolled out before and during these events to raise awareness that period products are available for all women and girls who are playing to use, should they need them. 

England Senior Women’s Head Coach, Maria Bertelli, is pleased to see the onset of the period supportive campaign and said: “It’s brilliant that Volleyball England has this partnership with FabLittleBag, and if it can help just a handful of people then it will make a difference.

“As a player and now as a coach you see it very often that players miss a session or game altogether, or it can impact on a session or game. I’m very aware as a coach that it can impact players quite significantly in terms of their performance and their mental state. 

“If we could all talk about it openly and players and coaches are engaging in conversation about it, then that’s only going to help. Naturally, it can be a bit of an awkward topic for some players and coaches, but I think if you understand your players as a coach, then you have the best chance of having a positive impact on their performance. 

“Anything that breaks down a barrier to encourage more people to play volleyball, be active and play any sport is a positive and, for females, this can be one of those barriers.” 

Alongside direct support at major events, Volleyball England hopes to embed the campaign across volleyball’s communities by encouraging clubs at own levels to purchase their own bags to benefit their players. 

For affiliated clubs who sign up to the campaign during the month of February,10 will be selected at random to receive one of 10 Coach Bags, which contain organic tampons, pads and biodegradable FabLittleBags.    

Clubs who join, by clicking here, or through VolleyStore, can also purchase FabLittleBag products at a discounted price. 

Clubs signing up are asked to add 'VE' after their club name, for example, 'Cheltenham and Gloucester VE' to automatically enter the draw for the free coach bags. 

The winners will be announced in early March.  

Volleyball England’s Interim Strategic Manager for Get. Keep. Grow, Hema Choudhary, added: “Making our events period-supportive is an important step towards ensuring that our sport is inclusive, so periods don’t become a reason for girls and women to move away from volleyball. 

“With 47% of junior players being girls and 43% of adult players being women, it is crucial to engage men and boys in fostering awareness, promoting education, and normalising conversations about periods. 

“Through our partnership, we aim to raise awareness and break the stigma surrounding periods, ensuring that women and girls feel fully supported by their coaches, managers, and the wider community.” 

Find out more about FabLittleBag by clicking here.