Cumbrian Helen Housby’s status as one of England’s leading netball stars has been further underlined by her selection for the Vitality Roses programme for the 2022/23 season.

Housby is one of 24 players named by head coach Jess Thirlby.

It comes ahead of a big season for England, who will defend their Commonwealth Games title in Birmingham this summer as well as heading to Cape Town for the World Cup next year.

Housby, from Drumleaning near Wigton and who plays for Australian club New South Wales Swifts, saw her selection confirmed after what was described as a “rigorous” process of studying the form of all the players.

The Vitality Roses programme runs over 12 months and is made up of UK-based training camps and competitive games, as well as support for players during the domestic seasons.

Thirlby said: “The quality of athletes selected into the Roses programme makes for an exciting year.

“Not only do we see a number of our hugely experienced and familiar names retain their places in an increasingly competitive programme, but also new talent being acknowledged for their continued rise within their domestic competitions.

“I want to thank and congratulate all of the athletes on their inclusion, the domestic clubs both home and overseas and our Roses Academy for helping to allow these athletes to shine.”

International fixtures for the coming year are set to be confirmed soon.