Carlisle netball star Helen Housby will be heading to Australia for next season.

Housby, 21, has joined NSW (New South Wales) Swifts in the National Netball League.

Young England star Housby has committed to the club alongside Trinidad and Tobago’s Sammy Wallace, joining Diamonds mid-courter Paige Hadley and a core of youthful newcomers at the new-look club.

NSW Swifts announced the signing of Carlisle-born Housby as they began to reveal their roster for the 2017 season.

Australia’s National Netball League season will start in February 2017.

“The 2017 National Netball League represents a new chapter in Australian netball history, and I think this playing group perfectly articulates the new journey our club is about to embark on,” head coach Robert Wright told the NSW Swifts website.

“They’re a young, incredibly talented group who show a lot of potential.

“We’ve taken a real long-term view on building our 2017 roster and see these athletes as the perfect role models to do so.

“We have a rich history at NSW Swifts, and I’m excited to see what these players do to write their own chapter.”

He added: "I have unshakeable belief in what the club is creating for the long-term.

"We’re not after a quick fix; this process will take time.

"But I truly believe these players are the group to lead us forward. They’re the future of international netball, and the future of this club.

“For me, it isn’t what happens to you for what you get remembered – it’s what happens afterwards.

"We’re in a re-building phase and an exciting journey, and we can’t wait to share the adventures with our incredible members and fans."

Housby is a regular in the England national netball team, competing at the 2014 Commonwealth Games where she made her debut in a game against Wales, and also represented England at last year’s Netball World Cup.

She enjoyed another superb season for Manchester Thunder, as they finished top of the Superleague but narrowly missed out on being crowned champions.

Cumbrian native Housby had been studying Zoology at Manchester University and had been expected to graduate in 2017 - but it is not yet clear what the move Down Under will mean to her degree.

She has a close link to England head coach Tracey Neville, sister of former Manchester United and England footballers Gary and Phil.

The pair were together at Manchester Thunder and Neville now coaches Housby when she plays for England after Neville was appointed as the head coach of the England netball team on a permanent basis in September 2015, replacing Anna Mayes.

England Netball took to Twitter to congratulate Housby on the move.

They said: "Congratulations to Helen Housby for being named in the NSW Swifts squad for 2017.

"All the best in Australia, Helen."

NSW Swifts are one of eight teams to contest the new Australian-only competition alongside Adelaide Thunderbirds, Melbourne Vixens, QLD Firebirds, West Coast Fever, Collingwood Magpies Netball Club, Sunshine Coast Lightning and Giants Netball.

The current NSW Swifts roster is Paige Hadley, Helen Housby, Sarah Klau, Abbey McCulloch, Claire O'Brien, Maddy Proud, Amy Sommerville, Emma Tickner, Maddy Turner and Sammy Wallace.