💞 An essential initiative for athlete well-being (S2.22)
- janie724
- Jul 26
- 2 min read
Updated: Aug 18
Episode of February 17, 2024
Sandrine - TR Cheer
In Episode 22 (Season 2) of the Kick's Cheer Podcast, the team welcomes Sandrine, co-owner of the TR Cheer club in Trois-Rivières, to discuss a subject that is still too often overlooked: menstruation in the world of cheerleading. And above all, a simple yet powerful initiative implemented in her gym.
🧼 Free menstrual products in gyms: a feel-good initiative!
TR Cheer has made a decision that we hope will snowball across Quebec: offering free menstrual hygiene products to its athletes. Pads, tampons, panty liners—everything is there, in the gym restrooms, ready to be used without stress.
The goal? For every menstruating person to feel comfortable, confident, and supported in an environment where they spend several hours a week.
“For us, it’s like toilet paper. It’s a basic need.”
💬 A subject that is still taboo
Even in 2025, talking about menstruation remains a sensitive topic, especially among younger people. This silence can lead to stress, embarrassment, and even absences in practice. With this initiative, TR Cheer aims to normalize the topic and remove this unnecessary stress.
“The goal is for our young people to know that their gym is a safe place where they will not be judged.”
💡 An easy idea to implement
The most impressive thing? This initiative costs almost nothing to set up. A box, a few products, a small poster to explain... and that's it! Sandrine claims to have received no negative reactions from her athletes, parents, or colleagues—quite the opposite, in fact.
Even concerns about potential abuse quickly dissipated. The young people respect the equipment, as they do any other service offered.
💥 Why isn't this already the norm?
One of the big questions raised in the episode is why isn't this idea present in every gym? We're talking about a sport that's 95% female! So the team challenges other gym owners : take the plunge and offer this service to your athletes.
“It’s not an expense. It’s an investment in the well-being of our young people.”
🎉 And in competition?
Another great idea that came up was offering these products during competitions as well. Even if space is limited, having a small basket in the coaches' area or VIP room is one more step towards supporting athletes during the long days of competition.
🙌 One simple action, huge impact
Initiatives like this show how a small gesture can change lives. It's about providing comfort, dignity, and inclusion to all athletes, regardless of age. TR Cheer did it—who's next?
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