2023 Club MVP Helen Housby has committed to the NSW Swifts for another three seasons of Suncorp Super Netball.
The England Commonwealth Gold Medal winner, who joined the Swifts in 2017, is delighted to sign a deal that will keep her at the seven-time Premiers until the end of 2026.
“I love this Club and everyone associated with it, and this was no-brainer for me,” she said.
“I never thought I would be able to achieve so much collectively and individually since making the move down under back in 2017, but the Club has allowed me the opportunity to develop and thrive.
“Sydney has been really good to me and the Club is like a family that I want to be a part of for as long as I can.
“Growing up in England I always viewed the Swifts as the ultimate netball Club in the world, a bit like the Manchester United of netball, with so much history and legacy.
“I feel I’ve been able to play a part in the modern legacy of the Swifts but I am by no means finished yet.
“I want us to be in the running for the title again next year and every year after that. I know we have the means to do it, it’s about rising to the challenge.”
A two-time Premiership winner with the Swifts (2019 & 2021), 2023 was a standout year for Housby and her best in the red dress to date.
The 28-year-old was part of the Super Netball Team of the Year, while she was also named MVP of the Netball World Cup in South Africa, winning silver with the Roses.
With 97 games under her belt already, Housby is in line to join some greats of the Club as a Swifts Centurion in 2024.
Swifts head coach Briony Akle said Housby’s form in 2023 demonstrated her best years were still to come.
“Helen is a world class operator and we’d never have reached three Grand Finals in five years or won two titles without her,” Akle said.
“You need people who relish pressure in key moments and Helen is one of those.
“I have lost count of how many times she nailed a vital Super Shot or won a key turnover to secure vital wins for us.
“What I like most is that even if it doesn’t always come off for her, Helen will step up and go again. It takes bravery to assume responsibility in those key moments and Helen has it in spades.
“She has built a life for herself down here, and it takes a lot of guts to pack your bags and move to the other side of the world, but she’s demonstrated how well it’s worked for her and that’s been of huge benefit to us.”
The Swifts will make further 2024 player announcements in due course.
