It started with three female Celtic fans and a dream to have free sanitary products for supporters at their favourite club. 

Eighteen months on and their dream has evolved into a movement with 100 clubs now on board. They call themselves On The Ball and they’re exactly that.

Period poverty is a serious issue in this country. A survey in 2017 by Plan International found that as many as one in 10 girls and women aged between 14 and 21 in the UK were unable to afford sanitary products, with 12 per cent having to improvise with toilet roll, socks and even newspapers.

A similar study by the Big Bloody Brunch found that more than one-quarter of women had been forced to miss work or school because they could not afford the necessary products.

Where better to start solving the problem, thought Erin Slaven, Orlaith Duffy and Mikaela McKinley, than football? Lifelong followers of the Parkhead club, the trio launched a petition in March 2018 and shortly afterward received word that Celtic Park would be “On The Ball”.

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 From there, they’ve reached clubs across the world – including LA Galaxy, Altonear FC in Germany, Rangers, Liverpool, and West Ham – hitting the magic 100 mark thanks to Irish side Droghheda United.

“We never imagined we’d get to 100 clubs on board,” said Ms Slaven, a 22-year-old social sciences graduate from Glasgow Caledonian University.

“I remember getting to five clubs and being so surprised, but it’s just spiralled out of control and it’s such a thrill. We said from the start that we hoped football leading the way would get people taking our campaign into their own lives and implement it in whatever way they can – in pubs and restaurants and things like that.

“We always get asked things like, ‘If you can afford a ticket, can you not afford tampons?’ but we feel like football is such a big business, it’s all about money and influence, so why not use that influence to make a difference.

“Football clubs taking a lead on this puts the spotlight on period poverty and makes people aware of what is a real complex issue for many people.”

The group focused on four main campaign aims – to get clubs to provide free period products; increase the visibility and voice of female fans; remove the stigma around periods; and raise awareness of period poverty.

Their success has not come without a cost – with the group being tormented on social media at times.

“Football is traditionally a male-dominated sport, so we thought if we can work with other fans who are predominantly female to make a change to increase the visibility of them and their needs,” Ms Slaven continued.

“I think the needs of female fans has been overlooked until we stepped up and put it on their radar.

“We knew it was a bit radical to go into a male-dominated environment and talk about periods, but we thought it would be effective and help remove the stigma and put it into public consciousness. We have had some really mad comments – people asking things like, ‘Where is my shaving foam, where’s the free pints and the pies?’ These are all things woman use as well, might I add. 

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“Sometimes we reply to comments, but we approach it in a way to educate people and share our views while acknowledging the fact they won’t always agree.

“By doing that, we’ve actually managed to change some peoples’ minds after getting into healthy debates. For modern day social media that is amazing   – people don’t admit that they’re wrong or have changed their minds.”

News that the group hit 100 clubs came exactly six months on from a new world-leading government scheme to provide free sanitary products in schools, colleges and universities.

In that time, more than eight million products were handed out – backed by £5 million of government funding.

Since its inception, On The Ball has had the backing of Labour MSP Monica Lennon – who, as Ms Duffy put it, is “leading the charge” in terms of period poverty in parliament.

Monica Lennon MSP said: “Access to period products at football grounds is the new normal thanks to the tenacious On the Ball campaign.

“I congratulate them on this big milestone – 100 clubs in such a short space of time is a fantasticachievement.

“The clubs themselves should be applauded for signing up to this. My member’s bill to make free universal access to period products the law in Scotland will be considered by MSPs soon and it’s exciting to see progressive social change already happening in our communities.”

The group are now taking steps to venture away from just football – spreading their message to youth groups and community clubs, as well as getting bars and restaurants “On The Ball”.

READ MORE: Scotland could be 'world leader' by offering free sanitary products​

Ms Slaven continued: “We’re so passionate about making this an example of bottom-up change and the fans have made this possible.

“What we’ve loved about the campaign is to be able to work with other fans and keep it as grassroots as possible. 

“The past year or so we’ve increased our amount of work in communities too so we want to keep doing that, working with fans and local communities and youth groups too and just to help raise awareness about the issue. 

“We’ll still be focusing on football but we’ve had people come to us from various bars and pubs and we’ve worked with them as well. As football fans they’ve seen the impact its had there and wanted to implement it in their workplace - and we’re always more than happy to work with them.”

Commenting on the success of On The Ball, after giving them the drive to progress to other clubs, a spokesperson from Celtic added: “When we were approached on this issue we were delighted to engage with the group on this project and of course we are delighted to become the first Club in the UK to offer such a service.

“We congratulate Erin, Mikaela and Orlaith for all their work in this area and wish them every success on their wider, ongoing campaign.”