Dirty Gals

A photography series by Raegan Hodge, debuted at the Lock In Gallery at Photo Fringe in Brighton.

Whether a nurse, an accountant, a house cleaner or mom, the Black Widows grind out their daily stresses into the mud of the pitch. They do not shy away from physicality: Black Widow player Lisa Alldred says, “I like being strong and smashing into people.”

Shelley McComiskey, a long-time member of the club, speaks of an added sense of confidence as her main benefit of playing rugby. “It gave me the confidence to get out of a troubled relationship. I can credit rugby for the life I have now.”