Double Swifts Premiership winner and Commonwealth Gold Medalist Helen Housby has been selected for England’s 2023 World Cup Squad.
The 90-Test attacker was one of the first names on head coach Jess Thirlby’s list ahead of the global showcase which takes place in Cape Town, South Africa, later this year.
Also selected are former Swifts Premierships champions Natalie Metcalf (nee Haythornthwaite) and Chelsea Pitman, while another ex-Swift Jade Clarke will travel to her sixth World Cup.
“The global game has moved on since the last World Cup and now more than ever, the margins between the top nations are at their narrowest,” Thirlby said.
“Tournament netball and its conditions are like no other league in the world and it will be important to call upon those varying styles of play within the team in order to help move us closer to breaking into a World Cup final for the first time.
“The team are highly ambitious, hugely supportive of each other and I trust together we will do whatever we can to perform at our best in Cape Town.”
The Roses, who finished third at the 2019 edition in Liverpool, will begin their World Cup campaign against Barbados on Friday 28 July, followed by the Malawi Queens on Saturday 29 July before a Home Nations clash with the Scottish Thistles on Sunday 30 July.
FULL ENGLAND SQUAD
Imogen Alison, Eleanor Cardwell, Jade Clarke, Funmi Fadoju, Layla Guscoth, Helen Housby, Laura Malcolm, Geva Mentor, Natalie Metcalf, Chelsea Pitman, Olivia Tchine, Fran Williams; Reserves: Halimat Adio, Amy Carter, Sophie Drakeford-Lewis
