‘World-class’ Cumbrian star Helen Housby will head to the Netball World Cup after an award-winning season.

She has been named most valuable player at her club New South Wales Swifts.

Housby, from Drumleaning near Wigton, was also named members’ player of the year at the Australian club.

It followed a stellar campaign where the 28-year-old and her team-mates reached the Suncorp Super Netball grand final, where they lost narrowly to Adelaide Thunderbirds.

The award, backed by sponsors QBE insurance, went to Housby for the first time since her move to Sydney six years ago.

“Helen has been in outstanding form this year and her clutch performances were key in returning the Swifts to a fifth Grand Final in nine years, and a third in the Super Netball era,” Swifts head coach Briony Akle said on the club’s website.

“She is a world-class player who stands up in big moments, and it is really fitting that her name is now up there with the likes of Maddy Proud, Liz Ellis, Sam Wallace and Cath Cox as a Club MVP.”

Housby was also named in the Super Netball team of the year, and will be in the England squad who will aim for World Cup glory this summer.

The tournament gets under way in South Africa on July 28.