Chantelle Crowl ready to hit career milestone

This weekend, Chantelle Crowl celebrates her 100th game for St Helens - the first women's player at the club to achieve the feat.

Before joining Saints ahead of their inaugural season in 2018, the Rugby League standout had already enjoyed an impressive career – captaining Lancashire, representing the England Lionesses, and earning selection for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.  

And this Saturday, Saints' Betfred Women's Super League clash against Barrow Raiders, will mark another significant chapter in Crowl's journey as she reaches yet another career milestone.  

We caught up with her to see how she was feeling ahead of the big game: 

“It feels incredible. These girls are my family so to celebrate it with them it’s just every girl’s dream. 

“You never know when your sports career is going to end or whether you’re going to make it to 100 games or even more. To do it with the girls that I’ve been playing with for years it’s such an amazing feeling, I’m absolutely buzzing.” 

Crowl has seen the sport go through many a change during her time at the club, from the growth of the women’s game, to new teammates, coaching staff, and moments that have shaped the team’s identity. 

“I’ve been with Saints from the start and looking back, I remember our first kit. It used to hang off us, it was like three times too big. We didn’t get much; we didn’t even play at the stadium. And then to now, going through absolutely amazing memories from open top buses with the men to playing at the Totally Wicked Stadium.  

“To see where the game was to where it has gone, and the big one – getting to Wembley, it’s just absolutely amazing. 

“St Helens are just a great club and even if someone offered me something else at another club I just would never leave.” 

The 32-year-old has been integral to many of Saints’ successes, including playing a big part in the Red V’s treble-winning season in 2021 and winning the Player of the Match award in the Women's Grand Final. But surprisingly, her favourite game is not a trip to Wembley, but part of the journey she went on to get there. 

“There are so many memories about the Wembley games, but I think it’s got to be the drop kick from Faye Gaskin and beating York in the semi-final to get to Wembley. 

“It was seconds before the timer went, and Faye kicked this magnificent drop goal, and we were all just absolutely stoked. 

“The feeling around the team for the next couple of weeks going into the finals, it was just immense and that is one memory I take with me everywhere. It’s unforgettable. 

The Red V are currently undefeated and sit second in the Women’s Super League table, with just one point separating them from leaders Wigan Warriors. The two meet again two weeks from now and the prop believes that it's these close call match-ups where she really gets to test her strengths.  

“It’s amazing because you don’t know when your career is going to end. To play in these massive games and finals it’s so good. 

“Having these battles where women can showcase that they’re these strong athletes that we always knew we could be and having this help around us it’s growing the game and making it a proper challenge and competition. 

“That’s what we fight for – to prove to everyone else as women that we are strong, we are tough. 

“Wigan have come up fighting this year and that’s what we want, that’s what I enjoy playing against. It’s a better game because you’ve battled it out for the win.” 

What’s especially important to Crowl is any opportunity to grow the game and to inspire the next generation of women’s players.  

“It’s massive. We’ve got players who have been international players, we’ve got two England captains. We’ve got people who’ve got so much experience, but we’re not done yet. 

“We want to make it clear that we’re still hungry for the game, we’re still fighting strong.” 

“Seeing this next generation of girls coming through and what they can achieve now, with the positions and scenarios they can be in. It’s so nice to see that you’ve left your shirt in a different place and you’ve done well to bring these girls on and help the women’s game.” 

For now, she plans to celebrate this next achievement with her St Helens teammates before getting ready to face The Final Charge in what promises to be a tough battle for a spot in the Grand Final.  

“The girls are keeping the celebrations a surprise for this weekend, so I actually don’t know what’s planned but I know it’ll be good – anytime with the girls is good.” 

“Bring it on, I can’t wait.”