TABOO Period Products now at The Parks and St Clair Recreation Centre

YMCA SA is pleased to share a new collaboration with TABOO Period Products at St Clair Recreation Centre and The Parks Recreation and Sports Centre.

Eight dispensers of period products have been installed across both sites, located in key areas such as change rooms and bathrooms. These dispensers provide free tampons and pads, ensuring that everyone who visits the centres has access to essential period care when they need it. This initiative is part of YMCA South Australia’s ongoing commitment to creating inclusive and welcoming environments for everyone.

A 2020 study by the South Australian Commissioner for Children and Young People found that 1 in 4 girls in South Australia lack access to proper period care, often resorting to unhygienic alternatives.

“By addressing this need, we’re helping to remove barriers to participation in sport, fitness, and recreation—especially for young women and girls.” Says Leeann Ksiezak, Centre Manager at The Parks Recreation and Sports Centre.

TABOO is a South Australian social enterprise that has a mission to end period poverty and stigma, both locally and globally.

“We are so proud to be partnering with St Clair and Parks YMCA on this exciting commitment to provide period products to athletes and visitors at the centres.” Says Eloise Hall, Managing Director and Co-Founder of TABOO.

“This commitment is a reflection of the progress being made in breaking period stigma and normalising menstruation. Periods are a normal physiological process and they don’t stop when we play sport, swim, or work out. It’s great to see these two centres introduce the practical provision of period care to support people who menstruate.”

St Clair Recreation Centre and The Parks Sports and Recreation Centre see large numbers of visitors to programs such as court sports, gym and group fitness, and aquatics programs throughout the year.

“This is a meaningful step toward gender equity in community sport and recreation,” said Tristan Owen, Centre Manager at St Clair Recreation Centre.
“By providing free, accessible period products at two of our largest facilities in the state, we’re not only supporting individual wellbeing but also helping to create a more inclusive and equitable space for approximately 315,000 women each year.”