The Sport Your Period™ initiative aims to
reward period advocacy and normalize the topic of periods in
sports
TORONTO, July 18,
2024 /PRNewswire/ --
- 1 in 2 teens will skip sports or drop out all together because
of their period.
- 99% of athletes have competed on their period at an
international competition.
- 75% of athletes have a fear of leaking while competing.
- Over 64% of athletes have felt uncomfortable talking about
their periods with their coaches.
- Knix will pay eligible athletes who compete at the national or
international level up to $2,000 each
for speaking about their periods and the sport they play.
Category defining intimate and apparel brand Knix wants to pay
athletes to talk about their periods in a bold new campaign
featuring former Olympian and advocate Megan Rapinoe. Periods in sport are still
a taboo topic despite the fact that they are a reality for almost
all menstruating athletes, including those participating at the
professional or world stage level. Knix's Sport Your Period™
initiative was created to encourage athletes to lead by
example, normalize the conversation around periods in sports
and keep more teen athletes in the sports that they love.
"I'm thrilled to be partnering with Knix on this important
campaign. There have been countless times where I've scored
game-changing goals and never ever mentioned that I was on my
period" says Megan Rapinoe. "Yet 1
in 2 teens drop out of sports because of their periods and I can
say that even at the highest level there is still stigma. (From
cycle syncing, the fear of leaking through your uniform, to the
reality of showing up for the biggest game of your career while
managing period cramps, there is a lot we can talk about to help
normalize periods in sports.) Athletes should not feel ashamed to
talk about their periods and I'm looking forward to changing the
narrative this summer and breaking open this conversation with
Knix."
"The facts are simple, women often get paid less to
participate in sports, and compete while managing their periods. So
why not pay them to talk about it?" says Joanna Griffiths Founder
and President of Knix. "It's staggering to see the impact that
periods have in sports and yet unless we see a visceral image of a
marathon runner bleeding through her shorts, or an entire industry
rebelling against wearing white it's not something that is spoken
about. This campaign will make a difference in the way people talk
about periods in sports and Megan
Rapinoe is the perfect person to kick it off."
To support the campaign Knix and CAN Fund #150Women
surveyed 300 athletes to highlight the reality of periods and
sports at the highest level. 99% of athletes have competed on their
period at an international competition. 75% of athletes have a fear
of leaking while competing, and over 64% of athletes have felt
uncomfortable talking about their periods with their coaches. Even
more staggering is the lengths that athletes will go to try and
avoid getting their periods for fear it would hinder their
performance. Cycle synching, birth control (.....) were all listed
as common tactics. Athletes of all levels compete in front of
countless people at any time of the month whether they are bleeding
or not.
Despite significant strides in breaking down barriers, to this
day, periods remain shrouded in stigma. There are even
some states attempting to ban the topic in primary
education. In 2013 Knix pioneered the leakproof underwear category.
Since then the brand has been at the forefront of normalizing the
conversations around periods and has built a wide assortment of
products, including swimwear, workout leggings and shorts that
feature built in leakproof protection to help support teens and
adults through every activity, every day of the month.
How to take part?
The summer season will be
filled with plenty of competitive events, on the global and
national level. Knix is encouraging athletes competing at the
national or global level between July 18 and
November 1, 2024, to share their experiences with their
periods while competing. Speaking publicly about the matter can be
done through press conferences, accredited media interviews, and/or
on personal social media platforms. Eligible athletes can earn up
to $2,000 for speaking about their
periods and the sport they play.
In order to take part visit www.SportYourPeriod.com to
review the rules and regulations to participate. To receive their
payment, eligible athletes can submit their application by visiting
Knix's website. The public is also invited to share this initiative
with their favorite athletes in order to encourage as many
competing athletes as possible to join the movement and break down
the barrier of periods in sports.
To view Knix's and Megan
Rapinoe's announcement video click here.
About Olympian Megan Rapinoe
Two-time World Cup
Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist, Megan
Rapinoe is a fan favorite and soccer legend. A vocal leader
in every aspect of her life, Megan helped lead the USWNT to the
2019 Women's World Cup Championship scoring some of the biggest
goals of the tournament. Megan took home the tournament's two top
honors – the Golden Boot for top scorer, and the Golden Ball for
the best player in the tournament. Megan is a New York Times' Best-Selling author, Time 100 Most
Influential People and recent Presidential Medal of Freedom award
recipient. She is an advocate for equality for all and has been
able to intersect her passion for humanity and authenticity.
About Knix
Knix is a direct-to-consumer category
defining intimates and apparel brand. Through innovative products
and a community-first approach, Knix is on a mission to empower
people at every age and every stage, everywhere to live
unapologetically free. Every product, campaign and image that Knix
puts into the world is tied to this mission that has been embedded
in the company's DNA since day one. Founded in 2013, by
Joanna Griffiths, Knix is the
leading leakproof brand in North
America and is recognized as an innovator and disrupter and
one of the fastest growing intimate and apparel brands in the
world.
To learn more about the Sport Your Period™ campaign and terms
and conditions please click
here.
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SOURCE Knix