NSW Swifts attacker Helen Housby has been named the QBE Most Valuable Player after a sterling Suncorp Super Netball season.
The England international, who won Premierships with the Swifts in 2019 and 2021, was a standout performer in the Club’s journey to a third Grand Final in five years, which was narrowly lost to the Adelaide Thunderbirds in an extra-time thriller on Saturday night.
Presented by the Swifts and Principal Partner QBE Insurance, the MVP award is the Club’s highest accolade and 2023 is the first time Housby has won it since arriving in Sydney in 2017.
The 28-year-old also picked up the Members’ Player of the Year Award, receiving the accolades at the Swifts’ annual Gala Dinner at Doltone House on Jones Bay Wharf in Sydney last night.
“Helen has been in outstanding form this year and her clutch performances were key in returning the Swifts to a fifth Grand Final in nine years, and a third in the Super Netball era,” Swifts Head Coach Briony Akle said.
“She is a world-class player who stands up in big moments, and it is really fitting that her name is now up there with the likes of Maddy Proud, Liz Ellis, Sam Wallace and Cath Cox as a Club MVP.
“Helen was also named in the Super Netball team of the Year, and we cannot wait to see her take the court at the World Cup in South Africa, along with our Aussie Diamonds Paige Hadley and Sarah Klau, and Romelda Aiken-George with Jamaica, and Kelea Iongi with Tonga.”
Swifts double champion defender Maddy Turner was also a dual winner on the night, taking out the Players’ Player of the Year Award, while she shared the Coaches’ Award with defensive partner Klau.
Club physio Vicki Locke and athlete welfare officer Ash Fong shared the Club Person of the Year High Performance Award while Swifts Events Manager Maddy Tatham took out the Club Person Award for the front office staff.
The next generation of Swifts were recognised with QBE Swifts Academy athletes Ali Miller (Players’ Player) and Jess Conlan (Coaches Award) also honoured.
Swifts Executive General Manager KathTetley said: “While the pain of just missing out on a third Premiership in five years is still there, I think everyone at the Club has been able to reflect on what an amazing journey 2023 was and we are exceptionally thankful for that.
"At the Swifts we have a vision, not to just be NSW’s best, but the world’s best. That is the standard of the people we work with. You can’t teach passion, but you could bottle it at the Swifts.
"This year the entire Club lived up to the mantra of being Inspired by History, Driven by Legacy. Our team did what every Swift does, which is more! And for that I couldn’t be more grateful. Bring on 2024."
2023 Awards Winners
- QBE MVP: Helen Housby
- Players' Player: Maddy Turner
- Coaches' Player: Maddy Turner & Sarah Klau
- Members' Player: Helen Housby
- Club People of the Year: Vicki Locke & Ash Fong (High Performance), Maddy Tatham (Admin Staff)
- Academy Players' Player: Ali Miller
- Academy Coaches Award: Jess Conlan
