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If chasing the PWR title wasn’t motivation enough, Ella Cromack is driven by a deeper desire every time she pulls on a Harlequins jersey.
That is to give her all and play the best rugby she’s capable of in front of her father while she still can – and the 20-year-old is grabbing every chance to do so.
On 16 November 2023, Ella's dad Simon was diagnosed with Glioblastoma, an incurable form of cancer.
But despite the news, the Cromack family continues to fight, with Ella, who is also an England U20 international, raising over £15,000 when she smashed the record for the most conversions in 24 hours in May.
She slotted the ball between the posts a staggering 3,850 times - blitzing the previous benchmark of 1,598, set by New Zealand legend Dan Carter.
The money helped towards the funding of specialist treatment Simon requires in Cologne, Germany; something he undergoes every six weeks in a bid to extend his life for as long as possible.
And Ella explained that while she hasn’t fully come to terms with her father’s diagnosis, she is determined to make the most of seeing her dad in the crowd watching her perform.
“Having my dad there gives me that extra boost,” she said. “I know that when I’m playing, whether he’s in the crowd or watching from home, I’m giving 110% for him.
"Being able to see him after the game always makes me emotional. Seeing him there at the end is all I want. I just want him to be happy.
“Grief and loss are things life doesn’t really prepare you for, but my sister and I have had to learn quite quickly how to deal with that. We’re just so grateful for the time we have.
’I’m so proud of him. He’s taken things by the scruff of the neck and keeps doing what he wants - going to the gym, going to physio, going to games - even when he perhaps shouldn’t.
"He doesn’t want to be restricted; he wants to live life to the fullest. His positivity makes us proud, and we try to mirror that for him.”
The knowledge that her dad doesn’t want anything to impact her career on the pitch helps Ella, who is currently in her first year studying Sport and Exercise Science at St Mary's University in Twickenham, perform to her best despite the tragic situation she and her family find themselves in.
“I probably still haven’t fully processed it,” she continued. “When you first find out news like that, it feels like everything stops around you, even though it doesn’t. Rugby kept going, so I had to keep going.
“Dad wants me to train and play. I live away now, but I go and see him as much as I can.
"My support system - friends, family, coaches, and teammates - has been amazing. Every day isn’t easy, but you’ve still got to train and keep going.”
Ella was part of the England U20 squad at this summer’s Six Nations U20 Women’s Summer Series in Caerphilly.
The age-group Red Roses recorded wins over Scotland and Italy, but lost to France, whilst in South Wales with Ella featuring in all three encounters – starting in the final two.
And with the likes of Millie David and Sarah Parry, who both played at the U20 tournament, receiving call ups to the senior squad, Ella is eager to follow in their footsteps and earn a senior cap in front of her dad.
“I don’t think I could describe how special that would be,” she said. “Everyone in this sport wants to represent their country, and I want to play at the highest level, which is the Red Roses. I know it won’t be easy, but knowing my dad would be in the crowd would make it even more special.
“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to be involved in the next World Cup. I know that’s four years away, so I’d need to break in before that.
"My main focus right now is on Quins and getting as many minutes as I can. I don’t have a specific date in mind, but I want it to happen soon, and once I get there, I want to stay in that white jersey for as long as possible.”
Ella has enjoyed a promising start to the season for Quins, scoring 13 points in the PWR Cup final defeat to Saracens in October, while she has also come off the bench to feature in the first two rounds of the new PWR season.
Quins have welcomed back 15 internationals from the World Cup, including Ellie Kildunne, and Ella is hoping this year can be the campaign where she can establish herself in the starting XV.
She added: “I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to play in the PWR this year.
"I want that number 10 shirt, and I want to work hard for it and make it mine. I want to play my own game and bring that into Quins’ style as well. I want to get as many minutes as I can in the PWR, but I know competition is going to be high for selection.
“That’s why the experience I gained in the PWR Cup was so important. It gave me and the other youngsters a feel for finals rugby which will only help me moving forward.”
