Wales Women: Gemma Grainger says squad to hold talks about changing shorts colour due to period concerns
By Wales Women: Gemma Grainger says squad to hold talks about changing shorts colour due to period concerns
England’s new home kit features blue shorts after player concern over wearing white while on periods; while the Republic of Ireland has chosen to stick with white, Scotland are in discussions about changing to a darker colour and Man City switched to burgundy earlier this season
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Wales players plan to hold talks over wearing white shorts due to period concerns
Wales manager Gemma Grainger says her squad plan to hold talks over wearing white shorts due to period concerns.England’s new home kit, launched on Monday, features blue shorts after player concern over wearing white while on periods.
While the Republic of Ireland has chosen to stick with white, Scotland are in discussion about changing to a darker colour and Manchester City women’s team switched to burgundy earlier this season.
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Wales manager Gemma Grainger says she wants her squad to feel comfortable
“We haven’t had that conversation with our group yet and that is something we will do,” Grainger said ahead of Wales’ home friendly with Northern Ireland on Thursday.”As the manager, I want to listen to the players and ultimately want them to be comfortable, because from a performance perspective that’s what I demand from them.
“So, ultimately if they are comfortable that’s key. We haven’t had those discussions yet, but we will.
“My focus with those discussions is very much listening to the players’ needs and making sure they are able to perform to the best of their ability.”
- Lionesses switch to blue shorts after concerns over periodsWhat is the Women’s World Cup schedule?Get Sky Sports | Download the Sky Sports App
Wales captain Sophie Ingle echoed Grainger’s desire to hold conversations around white shorts.”We probably do need to discuss it as a team,” said Chelsea midfielder Ingle.”The first few days of camp are always very busy and we’re focusing on the game, but sometimes we have to look at things away from the training pitch and what’s going to work for us as a team.”I don’t know until I speak to the whole team how everyone feels about it, and I think it’s going to be a very individual-based feeling.”But I know the FAW (Football Association of Wales) will be very supportive of whatever our decision will be to do with white shorts.”Wales suffered World Cup play-off despair last October, losing to a last-gasp Switzerland winner, before returning to action at February’s Pinatar Cup.Grainger’s side finished second in the four-team competition after beating the Philippines and drawing with Iceland and Scotland.
“We saw Northern Ireland at the European Championship last year and they are great opposition for us,” said Grainger, whose side play a second friendly during this international window in Portugal on Tuesday.”We’re looking ahead to that Nations League draw on May 2 and we know our 10-day windows will have home and away game elements, so this gives us a chance to rehearse and get in to the swing of that.”Record goalscorer Helen Ward is set to receive a send-off from the Cardiff City Stadium crowd after announcing her international retirement in March.Grainger said: “It feels different for us all that Helen is not here. But it’s great to know that Helen is coming to the game and we are going to take the opportunity to celebrate her.”She is a big part of who we are moving forward, although not as a player, and we’ve got plans for her in an off-the-pitch perspective that I know she will be just as passionate about as when she was playing.”England to wear new kit with all-blue shorts
England released their new kit ahead of the Women’s World Cup on Monday, with both home and away strips featuring blue shorts after players raised concerns over wearing white shorts while on their periods.They will wear the new kit for the first time against Brazil and Australia during this current international break and will go on public sale in June.While the FA did not provide a reason for the switch in its media release, kit manufacturer Nike announced their 2023 women’s teams’ kits will include leak protection technology. It has been a move welcomed by a number of current and former England players.West Brom switch from white shorts to navyWest Brom, who currently play in the third tier of the women’s game, have historically worn white shorts, but earlier this season they changed their home kit from white to navy shorts after consultation with the playing squad regarding issues wearing white while on their period.It’s a move that the club said will remove stress and anxiety for their players.Man City stop wearing white shortsManchester City also announced last year that they would no longer wear white shorts as part of their home kit to help players “perform at their highest level”.In a joint statement, the club and kit manufacturer Puma announced City would find an alternative colour scheme starting from next season after discussions with the players, but the club brought forward that decision and now wear their burgundy away shorts with their home shirt.
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