Helen Housby has big aspirations for England in their Vitality Nations Cup campaign and is already eyeing up a place in the final.
Housby and Net Metcalf both return to the set up after taking extended breaks following the World Cup last year and will play against Uganda on Saturday at Wembley Arena, which is live on Sky Sports Mix.
The 28-year-old was awarded an MBE after being named in the New Year Honours list for 2024 for her services to netball. The 28-year-old was named Player of the Tournament at the Netball World Cup 2023 as she helped England make history in reaching their first-ever final where they finished as runners up to Australia.
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“We’ve got the mindset that we want to win every game, whether it’s against Australia, New Zealand, or another team,” Housby said speaking exclusively to Sky Sports.
“The minimum is making the final. That’s something we really want to focus on and then you get to practice how finals feel and the nerves that come with it.
“Every game we're just going out like it’s our last and just trying to enjoy it. We’ve got nothing to lose essentially. I think Australia have more pressure on them because they’re upholding this winning run that they’ve been on and they’re taking home every trophy. But for us, we’ve got absolutely nothing to lose.”
England won gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in Australia
Housby currently has 98 caps for the Vitality Roses and is expected to receive her 100th during England’s much-anticipated encounter with Australia.
The Roses beat Australia 56-55 in a close contest earlier in the World Cup but the Diamonds won the crucial match on the biggest stage.
“We’ve developed quite a good rivalry, especially now since the World Cup when we had a win again them and then they got us in the final, so it’s going to be very interesting," Housby said.
“I’m sure they’re going to have a fantastic squad and they always put their best foot forward. It will be weird seeing my New South Wales Swifts team-mates Paige Hadley and Sarah Klau there. I feel like I know the entire squad pretty well now.
“For us, it’s very exciting. We’ve got young girls who won’t have many caps and some of them don’t have any caps against Australia. To be able to get this experience quite early on is very cool. I'm just trying to think about playing well and going for the win.
"Australia are the best team in the world and especially in the last two years they've pretty much taken everything home. It's almost like we want a bit of what they're doing. Every time you come up against them, it's an awesome test."
Helen Housby joined Australian side New South Wales Swifts for the 2017 season and was part of the Swifts team that won the Suncorp Super Netball in 2019
Housby made her Vitality Roses debut aged 19 at the 2014 Commonwealth Games. Four years later at the same tournament in Queensland she netted the winning goal as England snatched gold from Australia in an intense 52-51 clash.
“Every time I see that game come up on my Twitter or Facebook, it always gives me goosebumps. I haven’t rewatched the game in full, I don’t think I could handle it. I get too excited even though I know what’s going to happen,” Housby remembered.
“It’s something that you want more of once you’ve had it happen once and I don’t want England Netball to be a team who got gold once and then sink away.
“I’d really love to be able to back it up and getting into the World Cup final was definitely a step in the right direction. Getting another gold is definitely the aim.”
Housby is one of the more experienced players on the team meaning she has naturally shifted into a leadership role and takes pride in being able to guide younger members of the team.
"I'm trying to lean into that leadership space. I feel like a bit of a dinosaur to be honest. I'm used to being like the young one in the squad and now suddenly I'm not," Housby said.
"I've got a lot of experience playing against Australia so hopefully I can impart some wisdom to the girls, but I think more than anything, I'm just embracing it.
"The quality is absolutely there. Just tale a look at Eleanor Cardwell, she's an absolute gun and that's the beauty of England netball now, we're starting to get some good depth.
"Being one of the older leaders it does feel quite rewarding to see these girls have the mentality that they expect us to win."
England will face Uganda at the OVO Arena Wembley in London on Saturday 20 January live from 2.30pm-7.30pm on Sky Sports Mix.
Schedule
All fixtures will be available on Sky Sports Mix and to stream on Sky Sports YouTube
Saturday 20 January - OVO Arena Wembley, London
Watch live from 2.30-7.30pm
Australia vs. New Zealand: 3pm
England vs. Uganda: 5pm
Sunday 21 January - OVO Arena Wembley, London
Watch live from 1.30-6pm
New Zealand vs. Uganda: 2pm
England vs. Australia: 4pm
Saturday 27 January - First Direct Arena, Leeds
Watch live from 2.30-7.30pm
Australia vs. Uganda: 3pm
England vs. New Zealand: 5pm
Sunday 28 January - First Direct Arena, Leeds
Watch live from 1.30-6pm
Third-place play-off: 2pm
Final: 4.15pm
All fixtures will also be available to watch on Sky Sports Arena and to stream with NOW.
Vitality Roses 14-player squad
- Halimat Adio, London Pulse, GK/GD
- Imogen Allison, Manchester Thunder, WD/C
- Eleanor Cardwell, Melbourne Mavericks, GS/GA
- Amy Carter, Manchester Thunder, C/WD
- Funmi Fadoju, London Pulse, GD/GK/WD
- Sasha Glasgow, Melbourne Mavericks, GA/GS
- Helen Housby, GA/GS
- Hannah Joseph, Loughborough Lightning, WA/C
- Nat Metcalf, Manchester Thunder, WA/GA
- Berri Neil, London Pulse, GA/GS
- Jayda Pechova, Team Bath, GD/GK
- Razia Quashie, Saracens Mavericks, GK
- Ellie Rattu, Saracaens Mavericks, WD/C
- Fran Williams, West Coast Fever, GD/GK/WD
