Former GB Lioness says finding Rugby League changed her life - and she has a police officer to thank for it

Former GB Rugby League Lioness Chantel Patrick was living in foster care in Bramley when local officer PC Webb encouraged her to take part in team sports.

Chantel, 46, said: “I’ve got PC Webb to thank for both my sporting and police careers. A lot of the young people at that time ended up shoplifting or pinching cars, and he suggested sport to give me something to focus on.

“Rugby League gives you courage, strength, and a team ethos. This moves in to policing in the same way. It gives you that humility as well, especially when you lose. It’s character building and, without it, I probably wouldn’t be the person I am now.”

Chantel initially joined Stanningley Ladies where she met Rugby League trailblazer Mandy Green, who gave her a lot of encouragement. Mandy could immediately see how quick Chantel was and persuaded her to join Dudley Hill in Bradford at the age of 13.

Six members of the Dudley Hill team were eventually picked to play for Great Britain, including Chantel. She said: “We were 17 or 18 and had just left school. Women of that age normally drop out of sports and start going out drinking. But we were all into our sports and we trained really hard.”

Alongside training, the GB team had to fundraise to pay for their trips abroad through bucket collections. “It was a massive struggle to earn that money just to get over there,” she said. “In the end everything came together – we formed a bond because of the training and the fundraising.”

Chantel and the GB team went on to play against Australia in 1996 and 2002 and New Zealand in 1998.

Now a Chief Inspector working in Gipton and Harehills, Chantel understands how young people can find themselves in trouble, especially if they come from a broken family or are struggling financially.

She said: “One person had a massive influence on my life and that was PC Webb, by getting me interested in sport. But then it was up to me. You have to find decent people who you either look up to or they influence you.

"I now have a great job and a great family. As a child I didn’t really have those choices so I’m proud of myself.”

Chantel will be attending a special Pride of the Lionesses dinner at Headingley Stadium on Wednesday November 9. The event will recognise women who have made outstanding contributions to Rugby League, with more than 100 former GB and England Lionesses who played in the 1990s and early 2000s to be honoured. They will also receive their caps and heritage numbers for the first time.

The dinner will be supported by two women who have also been pioneers in televised sport in general, and Rugby League in particular – Clare Balding CBE, and Tanya Arnold.

Tickets to the event cost £50, including a two-course meal and a match day ticket for both Canada versus Brazil at 5pm and England versus Papua New Guinea at 7.30pm. Contact [email protected] or call 07740 634082 to book.