Why Helen Housby missing the Commonwealth Games doesn’t have to mean bad news for England Netball.
England netball standout star Helen Housby has officially withdrawn from the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow due to an ongoing lower back stress fracture. When a player of Helen Housby’s calibre is missing from the England squad ahead of one of the sports biggest tournaments, it’s natural for fans to feel concerned. She is one of the biggest names in world netball, a proven match-winner, and the scorer of that unforgettable final goal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Now ruled out through injury, Housby leaves a significant gap in the Roses squad ahead of the tournament. But history tells us that this doesn’t have to be bad news for England Netball. England have been here before.
An opportunity.
Ahead of the 2022 Commonwealth Games, England suffered a major setback when experienced wing defence Beth Cobden was ruled out through injury. Cobden had been a key part of England’s success over many years, including winning gold at the 2017 Fast5 Netball World Series and helping the Roses secure their historic Commonwealth Games triumph in 2018. Losing a player of her experience and quality could easily have been seen as a disaster. Instead, it became an opportunity.
A few years ago, Team Bath mid-courter, Imogen Allison, was viewed as a promising Roses squad player rather than a guaranteed starter or future star. Originally drafted as a reserve for the 2022 Roses Commonwealth Games squad, Allison was unexpectedly elevated to the final 12-player roster after Cobden was forced to withdraw due to a calf injury. What followed was beyond anything anyone had anticipated.
Newcomer steps up.
Imogen grabbed the opportunity with both hands and exploded onto court, becoming one of England’s standout players during the tournament. The Commonwealth Games subsequently became the launchpad for Allison’s journey to becoming one of England’s most important and influential players today. Allison’s performances on the international stage quickly established her as a key figure within the Roses setup, with her rise even taking her to Australia’s Suncorp Super Netball competition, widely regarded as the strongest domestic league in the world. What initially looked like a setback in losing Beth, ultimately helped accelerate the development of another outstanding player in Imogen. Her rise is proof that when opportunities arise unexpectedly, talented players can seize the moment and transform their careers.
When one door closes, another door opens.
England’s squad today is packed with talent. The pathway system is stronger than ever, players are gaining experience in the Netball Super League and overseas competitions, with numerous athletes waiting for their chance to prove they belong at the highest level. England Netball has repeatedly shown that it can develop talent capable of stepping up when needed. Rather than focusing on what England has lost in Housby, perhaps the more exciting question is this: who will be the next player to seize their moment? If the Roses’ recent history has taught us anything, it’s that some of the biggest opportunities emerge from the most unexpected circumstances.
Every major tournament creates new heroes, new household names, and stories that nobody saw coming.
2008. Beijing Olympics. Rebecca Adlington.
2012. London Olympics. Jessica Ennis-Hill
2016. Rio Olympics. Simone Biles.
2018. Commonwealth Games. Helen Housby.
2021. Tokyo Olympics. Keeley Hodgkinson.
2021. U.S Open. Emma Raducanu.
2022. UEFA Women’s Euro. Chloe Kelly.
2024. Women’s 6 Nations. Ellie Kildunne.
2025. UEFA Women’s Euro. Hannah Hampton.
Who will be the hero of the Roses’ Commonwealth Games campaign this summer?
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