NRLW stars reveal huge issue no one speaks about

News.com.au

23-06-2025

An NRLW player has spoken about a topic that most people don't even consider when it comes to their job as professional athletes.
Millie Elliott — formerly known as Millie Boyle — is currently expecting her first child with fellow NRL star husband Adam Elliott.
The 27-year-old rugby league star, who typically plays for the Sydney Roosters, was speaking to The Jimmy and Nath Show with Emma ahead of Wednesday's State of Origin game two when she revealed a unique experience only female players have to deal with.
Elliott, who has played at the Origin level in the past, was asked what it was like to play the sport at an elite level while experiencing her menstrual cycle off the back of fellow NRLW star Jasmin Strange speaking publicly about it.
'It bloody sucks,' Elliott said.
'Especially because there are some days that are worse than others and if you wake up on one of those and it's not timed properly … even training on your period, let alone when you have a game.
'Surely there is something we can do.'
Emma Chow, a host on the show, pointed out it wasn't just the physical side of things when it came to a person's period. It was also pointed out the physical toll of taking birth control and even skipping a period.
Elliott said one small change that has been made is that women play in darker colour shorts.
Appearing on the podcast Burro's Backyard, fellow Roosters player Jasmin Strange asked why nobody talked about the fact that NRLW players would play every fourth game while menstruating.
'That is a lot — 25 per cent of the games we play, we are on our period,' she said.
'You know how you talk about me being in the fight in the grand final? Guess what I was on?
'My period.'
She said a lot of women take the pill in order to be able to 'skip' their period, but this can only be done a certain amount of times.