A fresh outdoor display is bringing attention to females in rugby this week.
Unveiling on Monday, March 23, at Brighton and Hove’s Seafront Gallery, the showcase forms part of the city’s initiative to establish itself as the nation’s leading location for women and girls participating in athletics.
The collection showcases powerful photographs of athletes from Hove Rugby Club alongside those from the University of Brighton, captured by lens-based artists Bx Webb and Mo Tyrrell.
Brighton and Hove City Council leader, Councillor Bella Sankey, expressed that the display honours the dynamism, power and bravery of women who play rugby, those who have discovered the sport and those who have found happiness and community through it.
She noted it extends beyond current players, aiming to motivate others to take up the sport and become involved.
She described the photographs by Bx and Mo as excellent, reflecting the core values of their Sport Lifts Her Higher initiative.
The showcase seeks to encapsulate the spirit of women’s rugby through visuals that communicate athleticism, resolve, team spirit and happiness.
The local authority intends to build upon the enthusiasm generated by the Women’s Rugby World Cup, which featured two capacity crowds at The Amex and saw the Red Roses achieve a landmark victory.
Partnering with Strive ’25, the tournament’s legacy programme, the council has introduced its Sport Lifts Her Higher campaign to tackle persistent inequalities in sports involvement.
The display also aligns with the council’s drive to enhance the profile of female sportswomen and prompt additional women and girls towards physical activity.
Support comes from Hove Rugby Club and the University of Brighton, with funding provided by Strive ’25.
Since the championship concluded, more than 2,600 women and girls have participated in over 70 rugby training sessions across the region, backed by upwards of 20 clubs and groups.
The showcase also complements Brighton and Hove’s Let’s Get Moving strategy, a decade-long plan to encourage exercise across all age groups.
The exhibition continues through April 26 at The Seafront Gallery, situated between the Brighton i360 and the inverted house.