Loughborough Lightning captain Nat Panagarry has labeled the persistent taboo surrounding periods in sport 'unacceptable', highlighting data showing it remains the biggest barrier preventing secondary school girls from participating in physical activity. Speaking to Sky Sports, the 35-year-old, who has played for Lightning since 2015 and reached 200 Super League games, expressed deep sadness that young athletes still face the same worries about leaks, cramps, and heavy bleeding she experienced two decades ago. 'It does make me really sad because it feels like it was something that I was worrying about when I was 14/15 and I'm 35 now, we're 20 years on, and the young girls coming through are still having that feeling,' she stated. Panagarry emphasized the need for older women to lead conversations so the next generation doesn't feel periods stop them from playing sports like netball, hockey, or football.