Free Period Products at the National Centre for Bowling
Bowls Scotland are pleased to share that period products are now available at the National Centre for Bowling, Ayr. These products are free and can be found in all of the toilets around the facility and in the foyer.
Working in partnership with South Ayrshire Council, the period products will be regularly re-supplied as we look ahead to a busy summer of bowls on the South West coast. Northfield will once again be home to a number of major bowls events on the 2024 calendar, including the Bowls Scotland National Championships, Bowls Europe Championships and European Open Pairs.
Speaking on this project, Roz Asli, Bowls Scotland’s Equality, Inclusion and Welfare Manager, said: “I am really pleased that we are a part of this initiative that can support our staff and visitors at the National Centre for Bowling, and the wider community.
“We are committed to providing a positive, comfortable, and inclusive workplace environment and with 56% of our staff team female, as an employer it was important for us to provide period products without any barriers.
“The products are developed by HeyGirls, who manufacture sustainable products using materials without any hidden chemicals and are responsibly sourced, which fits in with our commitment to reduce our carbon footprint.
“I look forward to working with and strengthening our relationship with South Ayrshire Council, to provide free period products at all our events that we host in Ayr. Feel free to pop into Centre during opening times to access these products.”
In partnership with Fab Little Bag, we are also pleased to be providing free period products throughout 2024 at our Podium Open events, Coach Education courses and supported Try Bowls events. Our coaches, tutors, Try Bowls Activators and National Development Officers will be able to provide more details when they are out visiting your local club.
Also commenting on the importance of such initiatives, Bowls Scotland’s Coach and Volunteer Manager, Adam Martin, added: “We want to ensure there is no barrier to access period products whether you’re attending a competition, Try Bowls event or coaching course.
“We know some of our clubs are already providing period products for members, like our first gold accredited BowlsMark club, Freuchie Bowling Club, and bronze accredited BowlsMark club, Balgay Bowling Club, who recently hosted our Q&A session in Dundee.
“To help gather more information in this area, we will launch a short club survey in the coming weeks and will continue to work with local authorities and national partners to help source avenues of funding and education resources.”
Martha Silcott, CEO of Fab Little Bag, added: “We are immensely proud to welcome Bowls Scotland into our Period Supportive Movement.
“Working with Roz has been an absolute pleasure and it is clear that Bowls Scotland share our passion to make sports as inclusive and welcoming to all as possible. By providing the workforce with Fab Little Bag Coach’s Bags at Bowls Scotland supported events, the organisation are taking steps to reduce barriers to participation for women and girls.”