“We need to break the taboo, have comfortable conversations around menstruation” – Dawn Scott
“Women are not men and cannot be trained the same!”
Modern day sport is all about fine margins. Athletes push their bodies to the limits while diligently adapting minute changes to their lifestyles in the quest to reach the very top of the pyramid. One person, keenly aware of the margins and complexities that separate winners from runners-up is Dawn Scott.
The England Lionesses’ High Performance Manager was speaking on ‘Women’s Football’ at the AIFF’s three-day International virtual coaching conference.
Scott has been at the forefront of high-performance support in the World of Women’s Football. In a trophy-laden ten-year spell with the USA Women’s National Team (WNT), she played a key role in building a side that won back-to-back World Cups and an Olympic Gold.
Now she’s back home with a new mission, helping England dethrone her former team as World Champions.
Speaking to coaches in India via a virtual presentation, Scott used data from the 2015 and 2019 World Cups to highlight how the women’s game is getting faster and more physically demanding and presented a holistic player development model which helps tackle these demands.
However, one challenge that remains unique to women’s sport and which is often only discussed in hushed tones is “How do we address the menstrual cycle for players?”
“We need to have conversations with players to make them comfortable. Educate, spread awareness and break the taboo.” opined Scott. “Menstrual cycles and hormonal fluctuations can have a significant impact on a player’s performance and needs to be studied in detail with an individualised approach adapted for each athlete.”
While highlighting common symptoms that female athletes face such as heavy bleeding, sleep cycle disruption, joint laxity, etc. Scott accepted that “there is no magic answer right now.”
Dietary changes are known to play a major role in easing symptoms during the menstrual cycle, often helping players avoid medication. But Scott stressed that individual players have different requirements.
What’s vital is developing a culture where players are encouraged to have comfortable conversations that help determine severity and develop specific interventions.
Scott offered the example of how the USA WNT had charts put up around the team hotel with dietary plans broken down into four phases of the menstrual cycle. This contributed to developing a comfort level where three players sent Scott a group picture from the ground, holding up four fingers captioned: “Menstrual cycle phase 4.”
Scott also advocated encouraging players to maintain a menstrual diary and using apps such as ‘FitrWoman period tracker’ to monitor menstrual cycles and gain some level of expert understanding.
More specifically, when quizzed about mobility or strength sessions during the period, Scott advised focussing upon good technique and efficient movement. Helping players look at basic movements, stability, balance, etc. is more important than merely focusing on different phases of the cycle.
CREDITS: AIFF Media
For fixtures, standing and all news on I League 2nd Division – Final Round – Visit here
Also Read: I League Qualifiers Preview – Bhawanipore look to make History
For articles on unknown talented footballers – Visit here
For Trial related updates: Latest trials updates in Mumbai
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League
MYJ-GMSC Completes Unbeaten Season with Draw Against Millat FC
Kartik Strike in the first half seize’s MYJ-GMSC their unbeaten debut season in MFA Premier League In a high-octane Clash at the MFA Premier League, MYJ-GMSC faced off against Millat…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League
MH Oranje FC finish runner-up in Mumbai Premier League
Aimar Adam’s second-half brace secures MH Oranje FC a 2-0 win over MIllat as they finish Runner-Up of Mumbai Premier League 2023-24 season. In a closely contested match in the…
Maharashtra Squad for Swami Vivekananda U20 National Football Championship announced
Maharashtra Squad for Swami Vivekananda U20 National Football Championship announced Maharashtra State U-20 Men’s Football Team which will participate in the Swami Vivekananda U-20 Men’s National Football Championship to be…
Subrata Pal: The playing standard of the Reliance Foundation Development League has improved with every passing year
Anticipation mounts as Reliance Foundation Development League 2023-24 semi-finalists set the stage for the National Championship – Mumbai, May 6, 2024: The Reliance Foundation Development League (RFDL) 2023-24 gears up for…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League
MH Oranje FC Seals Penultimate Game with Thrilling 2-1 Win Over Reliance FYC
Yogesh Kadam’s First-Half Brace Propels MH Oranje FC Toward a Strong Season Finish. MH Oranje FC clinched a significant 2-1 win over Reliance FYC in the penultimate game of the…
Mumbai City FC crowned ISL Cup Winners after remarkable 3-1 comeback win against Mohun Bagan Super Giant
Mumbai City FC crowned ISL Cup Winners Kolkata, May 4: Mumbai City FC beat Mohun Bagan Super Giant 3-1 at the Salt Lake Stadium to emerge as the Indian Super…
SSE BFC to conduct trials for U9 to U17 age group players
SSE BFC Soccer School will be conducting fresh trials this month for players aged below 17 to be part of their football program SSE BFC Soccer Schools is a football…
India Khelo Football Season 3 Trials for Mumbai and Thane are here
India Khelo Football (IKF) is back with Season 3 of its widely acclaimed trials with an aim to cover more than 50 cities this time around. After the resounding success…
Feature / Recommended / Trials
Mastering the Art of Football Trials: Key Pre-Trial Factors to Keep in Mind
Football trials are a critical juncture for aspiring players to showcase their skills and secure a spot in a team. To maximize your chances of success, it’s essential to tailor your approach based on your playing position as well as keeping in mind a few pre-trial factors.
Somaiya Sports Academy to conduct trials for MFA 2nd Division campaign
Somaiya Sports Academy is looking for passionate young football players for the Somaiya Sports Academy Football Team to compete in the MFA 2nd Division League 2023-2024. If selected, you will…
BFC Soccer Schools – Mumbai to conduct trials for U14 & U16 Girls
The BFC Soccer Schools Elite team girls’ trials are coming up in search of talented players from the U14 to U16 (Born 2009 and after) age groups into the club’s…
Opportunity to make the team: U.K.M. Kothrud FC conducts selection trials for girls team
Pune-based U.K.M. Kothrud FC has announced that they will be conducting selection trials for their girl’s team on 15th January 2023 The club welcomes all players to come and showcase…
The Sunday Football League Season 4 is back
The Sunday Football League is back with its fourth season, and it’s shaping up to be the best one yet. With eight talented teams competing at the Kes Kandivali turf, there…
BFC Soccer Schools Elite team trials in Feb
Bengaluru FC launched their Mumbai program last season with the Soccer Schools and Elite programs with its local partner Soccer Schools of Excellence (SSE). Bengaluru Football Club is a professional club…
India Khelo Football Season 2 Trials in Mumbai: A Chance to Kickstart Your Football Career
After conducting trials in 34 cities & villages across India, India Khelo Football is coming to Mumbai to hunt talent on 7th January. India Khelo Football kickstarted its season 2…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League / Trials
Mumbai Customs to conduct trials for Elite League
Former champions Mumbai Customs will be holding open trials for the upcoming MFA Elite Corporate League (Elite Division) The 2019 MFA Elite Division champions Mumbai Customs are conducting open trials…