Diamonds star creates undershorts to help girls navigate periods in sport

Australian Diamonds star Kiera Austin has unveiled a purpose-built range of athletic undershorts, aiming to stem the tide of adolescent girls abandoning competitive sport due to menstrual challenges. The World Cup winner’s initiative addresses a long-standing barrier in the female sporting pathway, providing a practical solution for athletes navigating their developmental years.

Austin’s venture stems from her own experiences as a young netballer, where she felt forced to use adult hygiene products before she was ready just to remain on the court. Recent data suggests a significant portion of Australian teenage girls drop out of organised physical activity during puberty, frequently citing the anxiety and physical discomfort associated with their monthly cycles as a primary deterrent.

“The integrity of the female sporting pipeline depends on our ability to remove the silent barriers that have historically forced talented young athletes to choose between their comfort and their passion.”

By focusing on apparel that integrates modern protection with high-performance fabric, Austin is tackling a systemic issue that peak sporting bodies have struggled to address. This move reflects a broader trend in Australian sport towards destigmatising biological realities, ensuring that the next generation of athletes can focus on their performance rather than their personal management.