DEREK Hardman and Craig Richards have been appointed as joint Head Coaches of St Helens Women’s team for 2025.

Hardman is the current England Women’s Assistant Coach and led the Saints to a historic treble in 2021, and Richards is a former England Women’s Head Coach who previously served St.Helens Women in a Head of Rugby role too.

Both men have been involved with the club for more than a decade and they succeed Matty Smith who departs for Wigan following two seasons as Women’s Head Coach.

During his previous spell as Women’s Head Coach from 2019 to 2022 Hardman guided Saints to two Challenge Cups, a League Leaders’ Shield, and a Betfred Women’s Super League title.

During his time at St Helens Hardman has also been involved with the club's youth development programmes, and in the last two seasons has led our Reserves as Head Coach taking the team to back-to-back Grand Finals, which included securing the 2024 Reserves Championship title with a win over Wigan Warriors in September.

As England Women’s Head Coach, Richards oversaw the team that broke new ground with a tour of Papua New Guinea, competed in the World Nines competition, and then participated in the Rugby League World Cup in 2022.

In his Club duties, Richards has served in the development of both young men and women players as Coaching Systems & Education Manager, whilst also working as Reserves Assistant Coach.

Richards has also worked closely with our region’s community clubs too, as Saints continue to be a hub for local coaching and player development.

Hardman said: “I am very excited, it’s a wonderful challenge and I’m glad to be back.

"I made memories for life previously, but they are memories, and we are here to make even more moving forward because we want to be just as successful. However, we will take one step at a time, and one game at a time."

“This town is immensely proud of the rugby club, and we are all proud to represent it.

"I feel very privileged every time I put wear the badge, it excites me. It is important that we carry that with whoever we come into contact with.

“My personal goal is to make sure that we create an environment where we can bring youth through our system, we have got a really exciting young group coming through, and my goal is to make sure I can make them the best version of themselves.”

Richards said: “It’s great to be back, I’ve worked with the girls for so many years before, I was missing them! I think it’s great to come into a role I’ll where I think I can make a big impact.

“Dek and I bounce off each other very well, we’re very similar and spend a lot of time together in the way we want the game to be played, and how we want players to be coached.

“The things we always talk about are long-term success goals within a squad, but at the same time, we want to win in the short-term.

"A big thing for us will be bringing through some of the younger players and making sure the success continues; we have some fantastic young players and fantastic coaches doing a great job with them.

“Women's rugby league is growing year on year, and next year will be the same, it will be more competitive, and we want to be at the forefront.”

Mike Rush, CEO of St.Helens R.F.C commented on the appointments of Hardman and Richards: “Both Derek and Craig are two of the most experienced women’s coaches in this country, and we’re delighted to have the pair of them working together with our Women’s team going forward once again.

“The growth of the women’s game continues to be impressive, and our strong set-up will aim to develop future Saints stars and bring home silverware.”

Head of Women’s Pathways and Performance Jodie Cunningham is thrilled to be working once again with Hardman and Richards, adding: “Craig and Derek individually have so much to offer the Women’s game but we are very lucky to have them both working together as the Saints Women’s Head Coaches to push the team to the next level."

“With Derek and Craig’s combined knowledge and experience, 2025 will hopefully be another successful season for our squad.”