Helen Housby is a “leader”, an “absolute winner” and one of Vitality Red Roses’ “biggest stars”, according to former England international Tamsin Greenway.
Greenway, who has represented her country 67 times, was full of praise for the 30-year-old Housby as she prepares to win her 111th cap against New Zealand on Saturday.
The Red Roses take on the Silver Ferns in the first of three international games, all live Ski Sportsfrom 4:00 p.m., and the second and third games are played on Sunday (2:30 p.m.) and Wednesday (6:30 p.m.).
Helen Housby should win her 111th England cap against New Zealand on Saturday
“It’s just the way she wins games,” Greenway said of Housby’s size when speaking to Ski Sports News ahead of England’s series against New Zealand.
“She was the one who won the Commonwealth Games in 2018 – the first time England had taken home a gold medal.
England won their first net gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games
“It put her front and center of England’s biggest stars.”
“She plays in the circle. She’s always going to score the winning goals and she’s also one of the oldest players on the team at 30. She has so much experience.
“She said mom was on the attack. She’s the leader, the absolute winner.”
“Whenever you have her in the England team, you have full confidence in what this team can do.”
New Zealand series ‘unbelievable opportunity’ for the Red Roses
England failed to repeat their 2018 Commonwealth gold four years later in 2022, missing out on a medal at their home Games in Birmingham after losing to New Zealand.
The two evenly matched teams have played each other nine times since then, with the Red Roses just leading the way with five wins to four, even though they are currently fourth in the world rankings and New Zealand are second.
“It’s an incredible opportunity for this England Roses side,” Greenway added of the upcoming series. “They haven’t faced the Kiwis since last year when they beat New Zealand 2-1.
“To play against the world number two, and with the squad they’ve picked – a blockbuster line-up – (head coach) Jess Thirlby will be ready for the occasion.”
“And they should also be confident. They’ve got people like Sasha Glasgow back, you’ve got Lois Pearson and two debutants. It’s almost the perfect mix – it’s really exciting for all the England fans and for the team itself.”
“We talked to some of the players and they kind of walk into the room and say, ‘That’s it.’ It’s a really good feeling about this group.
“That (the 2026 Commonwealth Games) must be on their minds, although they will play it down and say these results won’t matter.”
“New Zealand are a really unpredictable side, just the way they play. Even in the last series against Australia, they were blown away in the first two games, but then they came back and beat the Aussies convincingly at home.
“You can’t take this series for granted.
Vitality Netball International Series schedule vs New Zealand
Saturday 15 November: Copper Box Arena, London
England v New Zealand, 5pm
Sunday 16 November: Copper Box Arena, London
England v New Zealand, 3pm
Wednesday 19 November: – AO Arena, Manchester
England v New Zealand, 7pm
Vitality Netball Horizon Series Schedule in Jamaica
Saturday, December 6: National Indoor Sports Centre, Kingston, Jamaica
Jamaica v England, TBC
Sunday, December 7: National Indoor Sports Centre, Kingston, Jamaica
Jamaica v England, TBC
Saturday, December 13: Copper Box Arena, London
England – Jamaica, 14.15
Sunday, December 14: Copper Box Arena, London
England v Jamaica, 2pm
Times are subject to slight changes due to broadcast requirements