9 October 2024

Ultimate Judo: A Period Positive Club Committed to Supporting Female Athletes

At Ultimate Judo, we are dedicated to creating an inclusive, welcoming environment where all our athletes can thrive—on and off the mats.

We are proud to announce that our dojo is officially a Period Positive Club, with free period products available in our bathrooms. This initiative reflects our commitment to addressing period poverty and supporting the unique needs of our female members.

What Does It Mean to Be Period Positive?

Becoming a Period Positive Club means that we are taking action to break down the barriers that menstruation can create for athletes. Periods should never be a reason to miss out on training or feel uncomfortable while participating in sports. At Ultimate Judo, we believe that everyone should have equal opportunities to excel, regardless of their menstrual cycle.

By providing period products in our dojo, we aim to:

• Support our athletes so that they never have to miss a class or competition due to lack of access to menstrual products.
• Reduce stigma by encouraging open and honest conversations about periods in sports, ensuring no one feels embarrassed or unsupported.
• Create a safe space where menstruation is normalized, and athletes know they are cared for and supported in all aspects of their health.

Understanding Period Poverty in Aberdeen

Period poverty is a pressing issue, both globally and locally. In Aberdeen, the impact of period poverty is felt acutely, with many individuals unable to afford basic menstrual products.

• Research shows that 1 in 10 people in Aberdeen who menstruate struggle to afford period products, forcing them to use improvised solutions or skip school, work, or sports altogether.
• Many young people miss out on important opportunities, such as education and physical activities, due to a lack of access to menstrual hygiene products.
• The emotional toll of period poverty can also be significant, contributing to feelings of shame, isolation, and anxiety.

By making period products freely available at our dojo, we aim to remove this barrier and ensure that no athlete at Ultimate Judo is held back by period poverty.

The Impact of Period Poverty on Sports

In the world of sports, period poverty can have a profound effect on athletes, particularly women and girls. Menstruation can already present challenges for athletes due to symptoms such as cramps, fatigue, or hormonal changes, but the inability to afford period products adds another layer of difficulty.

Some ways period poverty can impact sports include:

• Missed training sessions: Athletes without access to proper period products may feel they have no choice but to skip practices or competitions.
• Discomfort and anxiety: The fear of leaks or discomfort during training can distract athletes from focusing on their performance.
• Reduced participation: Over time, the challenges related to menstruation can lead to reduced engagement in sports, limiting opportunities for growth and success in athletics.

By addressing these issues, we ensure that no one at Ultimate Judo is sidelined by their period.

Coach Gordon’s Commitment to Female Athletes

To further support our female members, Coach Gordon has completed a specialized course run by Sport Scotland on training female athletes. This training has provided him with a deeper understanding of the physical, emotional, and social boundaries that can impact female athletes’ performance in sports. The course covered key areas such as:

• The physiological differences that can affect training for female athletes, including how hormones and the menstrual cycle influence strength, endurance, and recovery.
• Understanding mental health challenges linked to periods, body image, and self-esteem in female athletes.
• Learning to create a supportive environment where female athletes feel comfortable discussing concerns related to their health, training, and performance.

This training allows him to better understand and respond to the unique needs of female judo players, ensuring that they feel supported, heard, and empowered to reach their full potential. This initiative is part of Ultimate Judo’s ongoing commitment to inclusivity and excellence in sport.

Breaking Barriers for Female Athletes

At Ultimate Judo, we recognize that the sports world has historically been male-dominated, and female athletes have faced unique challenges. Our goal is to change that narrative by fostering an environment where all athletes feel empowered to succeed.

Our Period Positive initiative and coaches specialized training are two key steps in achieving this. We are committed to promoting equal opportunities for all members, ensuring that female athletes receive the same attention, support, and understanding as their male counterparts.

Whats next?

Ultimate Judo is proud to be a leader in promoting gender equality and period positivity in sports. We hope that by taking these steps, we inspire other clubs in Aberdeen and beyond to take similar actions. Together, we can break the stigma surrounding menstruation in sports and ensure that everyone, regardless of gender, can participate fully and confidently.

We’re excited to launch a few female-only courses to encourage more women to get involved in judo. Together, we can keep building a strong, supportive, and inclusive community for everyone.

Ultimate Judo: Where everyone is welcome, and every athlete is supported.

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