Beth Mead: "I won the Euros on my period" - BBC Bitesize

"Beth Mead: I mean, I have actually won the Euros while on my period and probably half the team probably were as well. So, win things while you're on your period-who cares? Tess Howard: I said, I want to go to the Olympics in shorts. A very bold statement. Get picked and change the policy. But they came back and said, yes."

"Khadijah Mellah: I'm a Peckham girl from a Muslim background and I felt completely out of my depth. But we won the race. Tess Howard: 64% of girls drop out before 16, and when you find out that a third of those girls drop out because of kit, that's an easy fix. Why don't we just fix the kit?"

"Olivia Smith: Being young, it's scary at first. Like you don't know what really to expect. Everyone has a different experience with their periods. Khadijah Mellah: Hijabs are girls with an article of clothing on their head. There's talent there. There's still so much that we have to offer. Tess Howard: It's not your fault that you don't know what sports bra to go and get. There's not the resource there."

"Prof Kirsty Elliott-Sale: Bleeding once a month-it has some challenges associated with it. You know, we can't lie about that. Prof Joanna Wakefield-Scurr: Why do we need a bra? What are they? How do they work? Dr Norah El-Gohary: If I introduce the sports hijab to the girls, it's going to transform their sports experience. Beth Mead: Being on your period isn't weird. It's okay. It's normal. It happens. It's life. It's a good thing that it's happening. Tess Howard: But you know what? You're going to go and change it. The future is brighter."

Menstruation should be normalized in sport and does not prevent athletic success; athletes can and do win while on their period. Lack of appropriate kit and resources contributes to high dropout rates, with 64% of girls leaving sport before 16 and a third citing kit as a reason. Accessible sports bras, choice of shorts, and sports hijabs can remove barriers and increase participation for diverse backgrounds. Monthly bleeding presents practical challenges that require honest information and solutions. Policy change and inclusive equipment lead to greater confidence, retention, and opportunity for young female athletes.

Read at BBC Bitesize