Beth Mead says that Arsenal decided to keep their white shorts, even though they get the option to change color due to worries over periods.
In 2023, the European Champions switched England from Witte to Blue Shorts, after players had expressed concern for kit manufacturer Nike about wearing white while they were in their menstruation. “It is very nice to have a completely white set, but sometimes it is not practical when it is the time of the month,” Mead said at the time.
With Sky Sports about Persil's every stain should be part of the game campaign, Mead revealed that there was also a proposed change at Arsenal.
“We were given the option whether we had to change or not – I was part of the English team that decided to change the shorts of White.
“We have unanimously decided to keep the Arsenal Shorts white. I think many of us are comfortable in the situation in which we find ourselves – there were a few girls who wanted to change, but of course we went with the team as a whole. We got the option that is really fun.”
The ladies teams of Manchester City and West Brom also switched from white shorts prior to the change of England in 2023.
Mead also explained the importance of normalizing the conversation around periods from a young age to have more confidence in achieving male and female colleagues and family members when they need help.
“We (at Arsenal) have a great relationship with male staff members here at the club and it is normal to talk about it or to ask them a tampon or something,” Mead added. “That's okay.”
The England attacker called Arsenal attacker Ian Wright, who explained how he had found it difficult to talk about periods in the past.
When he spoke with Wright, Mead explained: “If you talk about it, if you normalize that situation – it makes it a little easier for a young girl or woman who tried to tackle that situation.”
Another factor that was emphasized by Mead was how accessible and progressive arsenal in terms of providing period products.
“We got our new facility on the training field and we have access to tampons and pads in the changing rooms. I remember that I came to watch a men's game here (at the Emirates Stadium), sitting in one of the boxes and I was pleasantly surprised that they were there.
“I am happy that we as a club will bring it forward”.
The Persil campaign is intended to normalize the conversation of periods, leaks and stains, with new data through a survey among 1000 teenage girls who participate in sport that reveal too much that too many steps of sport due to fear of periods.
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