‘Unapologetic: Women in Rugby’ is a photo story showcasing members of the Edinburgh Napier Women’s Rugby team and voicing their thoughts on the sport. The photographer, Abi Avery, is a third year photography student at Edinburgh Napier.
From photographing the team’s matches and practise sessions since August 2021, Abi became integrated into the group and the project's title came about from the team’s rugby coach who made everyone do burpees whenever they said ‘sorry’.
The strength and camaraderie of the girls deserved to be celebrated whether they won or lost, but when they won the BUCS Tier 1 league in April 2022 it added another layer to their story. A lot of work around women in rugby focuses on the difference between the female and male sport, but Abi wanted to devote her time memorialising the women in the team: focusing on the difference would detract from Napier Women's Rugby achievements.
The entire project was taken with 120 Black and White film, a decision taken because the medium format camera allows more intimacy between the subject and viewer.
The series begins with a photograph of the Napier Women’s Rugby team in 2019 and was taken at Holly Falconer’s house on the twelve of April 2022. Numerous prints scattered her paint-splattered walls and after eyeing this one, she took a photograph while Holly answered her questions. The print depicts a younger version of everyone in the project and is a good establishing shot because it encompasses the two parts of the photo story: celebrating women's rugby and the individuals who play it.
More info: abiaverycom.wordpress.com
Unapologetic (1/19) Shows a rugby photograph taken of the Napier Women's Rugby Team in 2019 at Holly Falconer's house, a member of the team. Photograph taken in her family home in Edinburgh.
Unapologetic (2/19) Napier Women’s Rugby Team practising for their match against St Andrews in February 2022, for BUCS Tier 1, which they eventually won.
Unapologetic (3/19) Charlotte Knox, 23, member of Napier Women’s Rugby Team.
Unapologetic (4/19) Photograph taken in the meadows- a large public park in Edinburgh- where she walks most days.
Unapologetic (5/19)
Unapologetic (6/19) The entire series was taken in 120 Black and White Film.
Unapologetic (7/19) Holly Falconer, 21, member of Napier Women’s Rugby Team.
Unapologetic (8/19) Photograph taken in Holly's family home in Edinburgh.
Unapologetic (9/19)
Unapologetic (10/19)
Unapologetic (11/19) Alex Laidlaw, 21, member of Napier Women’s Rugby Team.
Unapologetic (12/19) Photograph taken beside Blackford Hill, where she often goes for walks with Charlotte Knox.
Unapologetic (13/19)
Unapologetic (14/19)
Unapologetic (15/19)
Unapologetic (16/19) Tegan Brooke, 21, member of Napier Women’s Rugby Team.
Unapologetic (17/19) Photograph taken in her shared Morningside flat, Edinburgh.
Unapologetic (18/19) Photograph shows her rugby guard, photographs and birthday wishes.
Unapologetic (19/19)
