Irish Rugby announces partnership with Fab Little Bag 

Irish Rugby is supporting the "Period Supportive" movement as they aim to raise standards. 

NEW PARTNERSHIP: Irish Rugby has announced it is partnering with the Fab Little Bag "Period Supportive" movement as part of their series of initatives to make rugby in Ireland more female focused and setting a new start of period care and awareness across affilated clubs. Picture: ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy

Irish Rugby has announced it is partnering with the Fab Little Bag "Period Supportive" movement as part of their series of initatives to make rugby in Ireland more female focused and setting a new start of period care and awareness across affilated clubs.

The movement involves buying Fab Little bag dispensers and period products for teams in the Energia Women's All Ireland League, the Celtic Challenge and pathway teams.

Fab Little Bag was featured in the recent Women's Rugby conference held on September 8 and incorporated the period support ethos into its "Developing Female Players" workshop.

Irish Rugby is supporting the "Period Supportive" movement to clubs over the life of the current strategy as part of its commitment to creating a positive, inclusive and welcoming environment to give women and girls acces to products they need in clubs and venues.

It is an important step for Irish Rugby to work with clubs to sign up and support the movement in creating the right environment. 64% of women and girls have reported that period management has been a factor in them dropping out of sport with 78% report missing training and matches due to a lack of support and facilities when on their period.

Irish Rugby Delighted to Partner with Fab Little Bag!

As part of a series of initiatives in making Irish Rugby more female focused, the IRFU is setting a new standard of period care and awareness across its affiliated clubs.

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— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) October 1, 2024

Irish Rugby will use events like the Celtic Challenge to raise awareness of period positivity within venues and raising standards across female toilet facilities by suppyling dispensers where required and making the events "Period Supportive Events".

IRFU Head of Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity Ann Marie Hughes said "Irish Rugby will supply the Women’s All-Ireland League teams with products and information to launch the partnership. 

"Fab Little Bag, Coach’s Bags containing period products and dispensers for responsible disposal will be supplied along with additional period products that these clubs can make available to female match officials, of home or visiting teams. 

"Fab Little Bag will provide Irish Rugby with information packs for clubs, detailing how they can purchase products and sign up to the movement."

Martha Silcott Inventor and CEO of Fab Little Bag is delighted to work with Irish Rugby "I am so excited that the IRFU are embracing our Period Supportive Movement. 

"Leading by example they will ensure that players, officials, volunteers and supporters all feel welcomed. I always say that small changes can make big impacts and Irish Rugby are doing just that. 

"We look forward to working with the wider club community on the Period Supportive Kitemark scheme after the initial work with the All-Ireland League Teams."