MIC media and The National Football Museum scoop two awards, ‘Best Podcast’ and ‘Best of The Best’, at this year’s MPA Inspiration Awards, for the ‘Quite Unsuitable for Females’ football podcast. The annual awards recognise the best and brightest in Manchester’s creative, digital and media industries. 

We are over the moon to win ‘Best Podcast’ with the National Football Museum for our production ‘Quite Unsuitable for Females’ at this year’s MPA Inspiration Awards. 

The Quite Unsuitable for Females podcast tells the story of the women’s game, from its early pioneers to the success of today. All told through the eyes and experiences of a team of young producers from the National Football Museum, Uma, Rosy, Debs and Meg. The unique and innovative podcast formed part of a wider project by the museum The ‘Women’s Experience of Football’ and was funded by the Museum Associations.  

What the judges said…

The panel of judges said “Quite Unsuitable for Females is a really innovative concept and very in-keeping with what the world is talking about. It’s a great, impressive, new and big idea. Using young voices and those from the community was an important and lovely touch.” 

We were then, absolutely buzzing for the podcast to be announced as the winner of the ‘Best of The Best’ award. This award, handpicked by the judges, is awarded to the most impressive entry from the winners across all categories. 

Head MPA awards judge Nicky Unsworth adds, “Quite Unsuitable for Females was topical, imaginative, unexpected and effective. It was true to the brand of MIC media and the National Football Museum and delivered some great results. The CSR element was great too. I loved it.”

The MPA Inspiration Awards, hosted by broadcaster Mark Radcliffe and radio star Hattie Pearson, celebrated the success of the podcast, from hitting the podcast charts, helping the museum raise the voices and representation of women in football, upskilling our fab team of young producers and receiving press attention from the likes of The Guardian, The Times and BBC.

Quite Unsuitable for Females

The football podcast series takes its name from a directive in an FA minute book from 1921, in which it is stated that “the game of football is quite unsuitable for females and ought not to be encouraged.” Women were prohibited from playing at FA-affiliated grounds thereafter, hampering the growth of the game.

The ban is just one of the talking points covered in the podcast. The team also look at the game’s early pioneers, international representation, kits through the ages, and parallels with the modern game.

(L-R) Uma and Rosy get to grips with the kit, Meg and Rosy interview the ex-captain of the Afghan Women’s team

MIC media founder and CEO Vic Elizabeth Turnbull is made up that the podcast continues to be recognised and thanks the young team involved, 

“MIC is honoured to work with four amazing and talented community producers to make Quite Unsuitable for Females the hit it is. Their ideas, passion, and willingness to share their experiences of the women’s game shaped this ambitious series with the National Football Museum. This award win is a testament to their hard work and dedication, and it shows that MIC’s commitment to amplifying underheard stories and voices is resonating with audiences. So a huge, massive well-done and thank-you to Uma, Rosy, Debs and Meg.“

A massive well done to all of the winners and nominees and a big thanks to the MPA, the voice of Manchester’s communications community and the panel of judges.