Helen Housby is hoping for England World Cup success on two fronts in 2019 in a big year for women’s sport.

Cumbrian Housby will go for global glory with her England Roses’ team-mates at a home Netball World Cup in July.

But the 23-year-old Manchester United fan admits she will be keeping a close eye on how England’s female footballers, managed by Phil Neville, the twin sister of her coach Tracey, fare at their World Cup.

Housby and her England netball team-mates enjoyed Commonwealth Games success last year, with Housby netting the winner in the final.

“Last year was an amazing one, the recognition of what the England Roses achieved has been incredible,” said Housby.

“I never thought I would see anything like this in my career for our sport, it has been ground-breaking for netball.

“Hopefully, the World Cup should be even bigger as a tournament.

"It’s going to be an incredible occasion on home soil. Hopefully, with the fans behind us, we can go again for that gold medal.

"And it could be a really big summer for England women’s sport, we will certainly be looking to do our bit at our World Cup.

"That comes just after the football women’s World Cup in France, I’m a big football fan and I will be glued to that watching the Lionesses.

"I hope they can show the way and then we can follow them. I would love to see two sets of gold medals from those World Cups.”

But Housby, from Drumleaning, admitted she felt Neville’s team would still go into their World Cup as underdogs.

She told The Daily Mail: “We know the Australians will come here looking for revenge, they have told me as much, and are still ranked No.1 in the world.

"Going in, we may still have the underdogs tag. But that’s OK because now we know we are capable of beating them and winning a major tournament.

"There are other tough teams - New Zealand, Jamaica - but our confidence is high, and we believe we can win every game.

"Among ourselves as an England team, we know we won’t play forever - so it’s important to leave a legacy.

"When we were athletes at school, there really weren’t that many female athlete role models to look to, especially in team sports. I think we largely relied on male sporting heroes at a young age.

"As a huge football and Manchester United fan, it was David Beckham for me, but also Roger Federer for his brilliance and the way he carries and conducts himself.

"So, it’s really exciting now for me to see where women’s sport is at.” 

Housby yesterday was named in England’s side for the Vitality International Series.