Netball World Cup: England's Helen Housby gunning for glory
Sunday 12 July 2015 21:19, UK
Helen Housby says the England netball team are ready to right the wrongs of the Commonwealth Games and go for the gold at next month's Netball World Cup.
Housby, who plays her domestic netball for 2014 Superleague champions Manchester Thunder, is part of Tracey Neville's squad of 12 which will travel to Sydney for the 10 day tournament for the world's best teams.
The 20-year-old's rise up ranks of netball has been fast, and after her excellent performances under Neville at Thunder, she was included in England's squad for the Games in Glasgow where then coach Anna Mayes' side failed to win a medal.
Now, with Neville stepping into the national coach role, Housby says the squad are ready to avenge the anguish of disappointment from their failed campaign at the Commonwealths.
"We are confident. On paper we've got one of the strongest squads in the world," said Housby. "Especially after the Commonwealth Games where we came so close and it was quite heart-wrenching.
"I think there's a lot of players out here that want to right that wrong.
"We really want to go for that gold and especially go for the final. We're gunning for it.
"I don't think we'd be happy if we didn't get to the final and that's credit to the team's spirit and the team's determination that we want to be in that final and winning that gold medal."
Housby is the youngest member of the squad and will play alongside two 100-capped internationals in Geva Mentor and Pamela Cookey, and ANZ Championship stars Jo Harten, Jade Clarke and Serena Guthrie. She admits, despite being slightly starstruck at first, she now feels part of the team.
"In 2011 when England won the FastNet I was in the crowd watching them and I got picture with Jo Harten and now we're in the same team - it's a bit surreal," said Housby.
"A few years ago when I was just coming in to this I was very nervous but they're just normal people and now my friends.
"I love the team ethic."
England will need to be at their best during the competition. The world No 1 ranked side Australia have the crowd on their side and the experience of some of the best players in the business, and Housby is relishing the chance to get up against them.
"I'm so excited because I love Australia," said Housby. "I've only ever been with netball - it's given me a travelling lifestyle and I love it.
"I'm looking forward to getting out there and hopefully getting on court and putting out some good performances and showing everyone why I'm in this team.
"I'd like to come against Laura Geitz and Sharni Layton. They're incredible and world renowned defenders and I would quite like to put myself up against them. But, anyone that I come up against would be a bonus because then i'll be on the court. I'm looking forward to any match."
The recent success of England women's football team at the World Cup has also inspired Housby and the team. They want the country to back them for glory in Sydney and in return they'll show how determined they are to win.
"I'm a massive sports fan and especially football, I used to play it when I was younger so seeing the Lionesses out there doing so well was great," said Housby.
"For them it went past the results they were putting out there because everyone has seen their passion and determination more than anything else and that's something we would like to take from them. Really show England the rest of the world what we've got."
