Abbie Lees

My name is Abbie Lees. My final project as a 3^rd year Design for Event, Exhibition and Performance student was the perfect forum to showcase my skills and promote a wider discussion about women’s rights within football. The Female Game: Forgotten Stories is a performative exhibition journeying through the history of women’s football, highlighting often unknown and hidden narratives. The audience enters the lobby, which features replicas of famous female footballers’ shirts, a replica of the UEFA Women’s Euro trophy, and football stadium seating. The first scene, Early Days, introduces visitors to women’s football in the 1800s and the first recorded women’s match through a silhouette performance set in a Victorian coffee shop. Visitors then move to the World War One section, where a performance inside the Dick, Kerr munitions factory explores the formation and success of the Dick, Kerr Ladies football team. Next, they enter a Football Association meeting room and witness the FA’s decision to ban women’s football. Despite the ban, silhouette performers continue to play around the audience in the adjoining park. In the Rebirth area, visitors participate in a protest against the ban before watching a silhouette performance telling the story of Patricia Gregory. They then have the opportunity to view footage of the women’s game from the 1970s. The Modern Growth section explores the development of women’s football from the 1990s to 2025 through displays of replica kits, medals, boots, and magazines. Finally, the Future area encourages reflection and participation by inviting visitors to predict the future of women’s football. I achieved my aim for my exhibition of celebrating the resilience and progress of the female game, while encouraging consideration of its future potential and evolution.