The countdown is on for the FIFA Women’s World Cup, which will kick off in July in Australia and New Zealand. The co-hosts have already made history by becoming the first southern hemisphere nations to host the tournament, but they have also made a bold statement with their new kits, which are designed to address a sensitive issue for female athletes: period anxiety.
The Matildas, Australia’s national women’s team, have unveiled their new home and away kits, which feature period protection in the base layer under the shorts. The innovative design, created by Nike, is the result of extensive research and feedback from female players, who often face discomfort and embarrassment due to menstrual leakage during matches.
The period-conscious shorts have a double-layered material that acts as a liner and absorbs, wicks and holds menstrual fluid, with another layer that acts as an anti-leakage barrier. The protection is thin and discreet, only the thickness of a 10 cent coin, and follows the contours of the body. The aim is to alleviate players’ period anxiety and allow them to focus on their performance.
New kit vibes 🔥 #WeAreMatildas | @nikefootball pic.twitter.com/zJ5QQ4LtYj
— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) April 3, 2023
The Matildas are not the first team to address this issue. The England national women’s team and clubs such as Manchester City have also moved away from white shorts due to potential blood leakage. The Ireland women’s rugby union team have done the same. But the Matildas are the first team to integrate period protection into their kit design, making it a standard feature for all female players.
The vice-captain of the Matildas, Steph Catley, said she was proud of the new kits and what they represent. “It’s something that we’ve never had before and it’s something that I think will make a huge difference to not only us as players but also young girls who are aspiring to be Matildas one day,” she said.
The New Zealand women’s team, known as the Football Ferns, have also made a change to their traditional kit. They have swapped their white shorts for teal blue ones, which match their away jersey. The move was welcomed by striker Hannah Wilkinson, who said it was “fantastic” for women with period anxiety.
Time to make the black kit the primary one. pic.twitter.com/U5955Vhdn1
— Phillip Rollo (@ByPhillipRollo) April 3, 2023
“It’s always something that women athletes, not just footballers have had to deal with,” she said. “It just helps us focus more on performance and shows a recognition and appreciation of women’s health.”
The new kits are not only functional but also fashionable. They feature vibrant colours and patterns that reflect the culture and diversity of Australia and New Zealand. The Matildas’ home kit has a green and gold design inspired by wattle flowers, while their away kit has a navy blue base with pink and yellow accents that evoke the colours of the sunset. The Football Ferns’ home kit has a black base with silver fern motifs, while their away kit has a teal base with Maori patterns.
The kits are part of Nike’s most comprehensive football team collection created for women, with the fit and material catered to the specific movements of female sports-players. They are also made from recycled polyester fabric, which reduces environmental impact.
The vice-president of Nike Pacific, Ashley Reade, said the new kits were a celebration of diversity and women’s sport in an “accelerating year” for football. “The kit designed for the Matildas represents our diverse and beautiful game and the country that we call home,” he said.
The Matildas and the Football Ferns will wear their new kits for the first time in friendly matches this week. They will then prepare for the World Cup, which will see 32 teams compete across nine cities in Australia and New Zealand from 20 July to 20 August.
