Touchlines of Fortitude - launch

Welcome to Touchlines of Fortitude: a creative celebration of female strength, resilience and  expression in all its forms – and there has never been a more relevant time to talk about what women’s strength means, and how we can keep the conversation around it alive and vibrant.

With the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup shining a global spotlight on women’s sport – and aiming to be the most inclusive women’s sporting event in history – Touchlines of Fortitude’s extensive programme of art exhibitions, vibrant creative workshops and engaging community events is a chance to expand and amplify the boundary of the conversation beyond the pitch – offering a unique cultural response, and letting us explore how resilience, teamwork and creativity connect sport, art and everyday life.

Creativity is a powerful tool for self-expression and building confidence – helping us boost our mental health, empowering women to build resilience, and nurturing the opportunity to be part of a like-minded community of artists and storytellers. Equally, art and storytelling also offer a chance to highlight underrepresented voices – from female athletes to neurodiverse artists and community leaders—sparking broader, richer conversations around what strength means and why it matters.

Our ultimate aim for Touchlines of Fortitude is to inspire and empower future generations of girls and young women to have the confidence to think differently, break boundaries and to tell and share their story –  making this not just a moment, but a movement.

Finally, I’d like to thank some of the amazing organisations who have provided valuable support to help us in our goals for Touchlines of Fortitude – especially Arts Council England for their invaluable funding, Hobbycraft for acting as a valued sponsor and providing materials to our artists and events, and The Beach Gallery for hosting our exhibitions, workshops and awards evening.

Agnieszka Lokaj

Touchlines of Fortitude event organiser