Underdog Toronto coach creates first competitive girls' basketball team in the Greater Toronto Area

Toronto is full of underdog superstars and this former Drake music video model turned basketball coach is one of them.

Chantel Crawford has created a self-sustaining community through her fitness programs and youth basketball coaching in the Greater Toronto Area.

“During the pandemic, I was an active instructor, teaching all over the Greater Toronto Area. At that time, I was teased and bullied. They called me a big coach. I managed to lose 68 pounds, so I was able to help others while getting results at the same time,” Crawford told Now Toronto.

After going through a series of abusive relationships and the death of her father, Crawford realized that taking care of yourself and having a positive mindset was the foundation of any lasting change.

But it wasn't easy. She worked in the financial sector while dabbling in music, even finding herself featured in Drake's “War” music video. She eventually started hosting bootcamps and Instagram Lives for stay-at-home moms to bring their kids.

Because of her consistency, she created Chanty Fit where she developed the Chanty Moves self-care plan to help people incorporate affirmations, breath work, nutrition, and active recovery into their daily routines.

“My goal is to create community. What I really want is for people to not need me. I’m just here to help you figure out what you need for yourself,” Crawford said.

To expand her love for women's empowerment, Crawford coaches various teams in the Greater Toronto Area, including a Muslim women's league at Crescent Sports Club and Point Goddess. Today, she is creating the first ever competitive league for girls under 19.

She also established the Active Stretch Recovery program for the Brodie League, a co-ed recreational basketball league with more than 20,000 athletes in 25 locations across the United States and Canada.

“The mixed teams are also great, but the guys don’t put us forward. A lot of girls I’ve coached go somewhere and it makes me so amazed to see them,” Crawford said.

She remembers there used to be leagues for young girls, but many of them were kicked out because they turned to vaping and smoking weed.

“The old league failed to instill a positive mindset and empower women in sport. I wanted to build a program to protect these areas and create self-esteem to encourage all athletes from different backgrounds,” she said.

“Taking care of yourself is a priority for the longevity of sports athletes, I have seen the lack of priority in this area,” she continued.

Crawford frequently travels to the United States to promote injury prevention and recovery training to WNBA and NBA pre-draft athletes.

With the announcement of the WNBA's expansion, the competitive team is an opportunity for young basketball athletes to have a direct pipeline if they wish to play professionally.

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Crawford has also led senior fitness camps in the city in addition to being a flexologist, sports physiotherapist, holistic sports nutrition coach, mindset coach and occupational therapist assistant.

Next week, she's partnering with Nike for its women's active recovery program, which will be the first of its kind in the Toronto area.

“By persevering and forging your own path, you are a leader, you are first. Once you blaze your trail, you leave a trail where others desire to follow,” she said.