Maisie Adam - The Beautiful Game

For Maisie, football has always been there, even when all the signs have been screaming that this wasn’t a sport for her. At school, where the girls curriculum neglected football in favour of the skirt-adorning Hockey and Netball. In the park, where boys wouldn’t pass to girls “because they’ll lose the ball”. And in adult life, where the local sports centre advertises Men's 5-a-side, and women's Yoga.

But it’s a game where all you need is players and a ball. That’s it. Well, we have women. We have footballs. Time to pass the ball, lads.

In this first episode of the series, Maisie looks back on where it all began when she was a kid. She discusses what it was like being the 'girl' football fan, how her school didn't offer any opportunities for girls to play, and when she started to realise that ultimately football was an absolute sausage fest.

Written by and starring Maisie Adam

Producer: Georgia Keating
Executive Producer: James Robinson
Production Co-ordinators: Caroline Barlow and Dan Marchini
Sound editor: David Thomas
Photo credit: Matt Crockett

A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.

This programme was first broadcast in June 2023

Comedian Maisie Adam talks about her love of football ahead of the Women's World Cup 2023.

For Maisie, football has always been there, even when all the signs have been screaming that this wasn’t a sport for her. At school, where the girls curriculum neglected football in favour of the skirt-adorning Hockey and Netball. In the park, where boys wouldn’t pass to girls “because they’ll lose the ball”. And in adult life, where the local sports centre advertises Men's 5-a-side, and women's Yoga.

But it’s a game where all you need is players and a ball. That’s it. Well, we have women. We have footballs. Time to pass the ball, lads.

This week, Maisie reflects on football infrastructure in the UK and why it felt like you had to move to the USA, Bend It Like Beckham style, if you wanted to pursue football professionally as a woman. She's joined by the leading global scholar of women's football, Professor Jean Williams, to help her find out why this was the case for well over a hundred years.

Written by and starring Maisie Adam

Producer: Georgia Keating
Executive Producer: James Robinson
Production Co-ordinators: Caroline Barlow and Dan Marchini
Sound editor: David Thomas
Photo credit: Matt Crockett

A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.

This programme was first broadcast in June 2023.

Comedian Maisie Adam talks about her love of football ahead of the Women's World Cup 2023.

For Maisie, football has always been there, even when all the signs have been screaming that this wasn’t a sport for her. At school, where the girls curriculum neglected football in favour of the skirt-adorning Hockey and Netball. In the park, where boys wouldn’t pass to girls “because they’ll lose the ball”. And in adult life, where the local sports centre advertises Men's 5-a-side, and women's Yoga.

But it’s a game where all you need is players and a ball. That’s it. Well, we have women. We have footballs. Time to pass the ball, lads.

In this episode, Maisie looks back on the best day of her life - the Lionesses winning the Euros 2022 in front of a home crowd. We also hear from some of her own football team who tell us what the beautiful game means to them.

Written by and starring Maisie Adam

Producer: Georgia Keating
Executive Producer: James Robinson
Production Co-ordinators: Caroline Barlow and Dan Marchini
Sound editor: David Thomas
Photo credit: Matt Crockett

A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.

This programme was first broadcast in July 2023.

Comedian Maisie Adam talks about her love of football ahead of the Women's World Cup 2023.

For Maisie, football has always been there, even when all the signs have been screaming that this wasn't a sport for her. At school, where the girls curriculum neglected football in favour of the skirt-adorning Hockey and Netball. In the park, where boys wouldn't pass to girls “because they'll lose the ball”. And in adult life, where the local sports centre advertises Men's 5-a-side, and women's Yoga.

But it's a game where all you need is players and a ball. That's it. Well, we have women. We have footballs. Time to pass the ball, lads.

In this final episode, Maisie looks to the future. What will the legacy be for the women's game after the Lionesses inspiring Euros victory? She's joined by special guest, England World Cup captain Millie Bright, to talk about her Euros victory memories, how far the game has come and the approaching Women's World Cup.

Written by and starring Maisie Adam

Producer: Georgia Keating

Executive Producer: James Robinson

Production Co-ordinators: Caroline Barlow and Dan Marchini

Sound editor: David Thomas

Photo credit: Matt Crockett

A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.

This programme was first broadcast in July 2023.

Comedian Maisie Adam talks about her love of football ahead of the Women's World Cup 2023.

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For Maisie, football has always been there, even when all the signs have been screaming that this wasn't a sport for her. At school, where the girls' curriculum neglected football in favour of the skirt-adorning hockey and netball. In the park, where boys wouldn't pass to girls `because they'll lose the ball`. And in adult life, where the local sports centre advertises men's 5-a-side, and women's yoga.

But It's a game where all you need is players and a ball. That's it. Well, we have women. We have footballs. Time to pass the ball, lads.

In this first episode of the series, Maisie looks back on where it all began when she was a kid. She discusses what it was like being the 'girl' football fan, how her school didn't offer any opportunities for girls to play, and when she started to realise that ultimately football was an absolute sausage fest.

Written by and starring Maisie Adam

Producer: Georgia Keating

Executive Producer: James Robinson

Production Co-ordinators: Caroline Barlow and Dan Marchini

Sound editor: David Thomas

Photo credit: Matt Crockett

A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.

Comedian Maisie Adam talks about her love of football ahead of the Women's World Cup 2023.

For Maisie, football has always been there, even when all the signs have been screaming that this wasn't a sport for her. At school, where the girls curriculum neglected football in favour of the skirt-adorning Hockey and Netball. In the park, where boys wouldn't pass to girls “because they'll lose the ball ?. And in adult life, where the local sports centre advertises Men's 5-a-side, and women's Yoga.

But it's a game where all you need is players and a ball. That's it. Well, we have women. We have footballs. Time to pass the ball, lads.

In this first episode of the series, Maisie looks back on where it all began when she was a kid. She discusses what it was like being the 'girl' football fan, how her school didn't offer any opportunities for girls to play, and when she started to realise that ultimately football was an absolute sausage fest.

Written by and starring Maisie Adam

Producer: Georgia Keating

Executive Producer: James Robinson

Production Co-ordinators: Caroline Barlow and Dan Marchini

Sound editor: David Thomas

Photo credit: Matt Crockett

A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.

This programme was first broadcast in June 2023

Comedian Maisie Adam talks about her love of football ahead of the Women's World Cup 2023.

For Maisie, football has always been there, even when all the signs have been screaming that this wasn't a sport for her. At school, where the girls curriculum neglected football in favour of the skirt-adorning Hockey and Netball. In the park, where boys wouldn't pass to girls `because they'll lose the ball`. And in adult life, where the local sports centre advertises Men's 5-a-side, and women's Yoga.

But It's a game where all you need is players and a ball. That's it. Well, we have women. We have footballs. Time to pass the ball, lads.

This week, Maisie reflects on football infrastructure in the UK and why it felt like you had to move to the USA, Bend It Like Beckham style, if you wanted to pursue football professionally as a woman. She's joined by the leading global scholar of women's football, Professor Jean Williams, to help her find out why this was the case for well over a hundred years.

Written by and starring Maisie Adam

Producer: Georgia Keating

Executive Producer: James Robinson

Production Co-ordinators: Caroline Barlow and Dan Marchini

Sound editor: David Thomas

Photo credit: Matt Crockett

A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.

Comedian Maisie Adam talks about her love of football ahead of the Women's World Cup 2023.

For Maisie, football has always been there, even when all the signs have been screaming that this wasn't a sport for her. At school, where the girls curriculum neglected football in favour of the skirt-adorning Hockey and Netball. In the park, where boys wouldn't pass to girls “because they'll lose the ball ?. And in adult life, where the local sports centre advertises Men's 5-a-side, and women's Yoga.

But it's a game where all you need is players and a ball. That's it. Well, we have women. We have footballs. Time to pass the ball, lads.

This week, Maisie reflects on football infrastructure in the UK and why it felt like you had to move to the USA, Bend It Like Beckham style, if you wanted to pursue football professionally as a woman. She's joined by the leading global scholar of women's football, Professor Jean Williams, to help her find out why this was the case for well over a hundred years.

Written by and starring Maisie Adam

Producer: Georgia Keating

Executive Producer: James Robinson

Production Co-ordinators: Caroline Barlow and Dan Marchini

Sound editor: David Thomas

Photo credit: Matt Crockett

A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.

This programme was first broadcast in June 2023.

Comedian Maisie Adam talks about her love of football ahead of the Women's World Cup 2023.

For Maisie, football has always been there, even when all the signs have been screaming that this wasn't a sport for her. At school, where the girls' curriculum neglected football in favour of the skirt-adorning hockey and netball. In the park, where boys wouldn't pass to girls `because they'll lose the ball`. And in adult life, where the local sports centre advertises men's 5-a-side, and women's yoga.

But It's a game where all you need is players and a ball. That's it. Well, we have women. We have footballs. Time to pass the ball, lads.

In this episode, Maisie looks back on the best day of her life - the Lionesses winning the Euros 2022 in front of a home crowd. We also hear from some of her own football team who tell us what the beautiful game means to them.

Written by and starring Maisie Adam

Producer: Georgia Keating

Executive Producer: James Robinson

Production Co-ordinators: Caroline Barlow and Dan Marchini

Sound editor: David Thomas

Photo credit: Matt Crockett

A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.

Comedian Maisie Adam talks about her love of football ahead of the Women's World Cup 2023.

For Maisie, football has always been there, even when all the signs have been screaming that this wasn't a sport for her. At school, where the girls curriculum neglected football in favour of the skirt-adorning Hockey and Netball. In the park, where boys wouldn't pass to girls “because they'll lose the ball”. And in adult life, where the local sports centre advertises Men's 5-a-side, and women's Yoga.

But it's a game where all you need is players and a ball. That's it. Well, we have women. We have footballs. Time to pass the ball, lads.

In this episode, Maisie looks back on the best day of her life - the Lionesses winning the Euros 2022 in front of a home crowd. We also hear from some of her own football team who tell us what the beautiful game means to them.

Written by and starring Maisie Adam

Producer: Georgia Keating

Executive Producer: James Robinson

Production Co-ordinators: Caroline Barlow and Dan Marchini

Sound editor: David Thomas

Photo credit: Matt Crockett

A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.

This programme was first broadcast in July 2023.

Comedian Maisie Adam talks about her love of football ahead of the Women's World Cup 2023.

For Maisie, football has always been there, even when all the signs have been screaming that this wasn't a sport for her. At school, where the girls curriculum neglected football in favour of the skirt-adorning Hockey and Netball. In the park, where boys wouldn't pass to girls `because they'll lose the ball`. And in adult life, where the local sports centre advertises Men's 5-a-side, and women's Yoga.

But It's a game where all you need is players and a ball. That's it. Well, we have women. We have footballs. Time to pass the ball, lads.

In this final episode, Maisie looks to the future. What will the legacy be for the women's game after the Lionesses inspiring Euros victory? She's joined by special guest, England World Cup captain Millie Bright, to talk about her Euros victory memories, how far the game has come and the approaching Women's World Cup.

Written by and starring Maisie Adam

Producer: Georgia Keating

Executive Producer: James Robinson

Production Co-ordinators: Caroline Barlow and Dan Marchini

Sound editor: David Thomas

Photo credit: Matt Crockett

A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.

Comedian Maisie Adam talks about her love of football ahead of the Women's World Cup 2023.

For Maisie, football has always been there, even when all the signs have been screaming that this wasn't a sport for her. At school, where the girls curriculum neglected football in favour of the skirt-adorning Hockey and Netball. In the park, where boys wouldn't pass to girls “because they'll lose the ball”. And in adult life, where the local sports centre advertises Men's 5-a-side, and women's Yoga.

But it's a game where all you need is players and a ball. That's it. Well, we have women. We have footballs. Time to pass the ball, lads.

In this final episode, Maisie looks to the future. What will the legacy be for the women's game after the Lionesses inspiring Euros victory? She's joined by special guest, England World Cup captain Millie Bright, to talk about her Euros victory memories, how far the game has come and the approaching Women's World Cup.

Written by and starring Maisie Adam

Producer: Georgia Keating

Executive Producer: James Robinson

Production Co-ordinators: Caroline Barlow and Dan Marchini

Sound editor: David Thomas

Photo credit: Matt Crockett

A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.

This programme was first broadcast in July 2023.

Comedian Maisie Adam talks about her love of football ahead of the Women's World Cup 2023.