The England national netball team, also known as the Vitality Roses, represent England Netball in international netball tournaments such as the Netball World Cup, the Commonwealth Games, the Netball Quad Series, the Taini Jamison Trophy, the Fast5 Netball World Series and the European Netball Championship. They have also competed at the World Games. England made their Test debut in 1949. Their best result in a major tournament is a gold medal in the 2018 Commonwealth Games. As of 17 October 2024, England are ranked second in the World Netball Rankings.

History

Early tests

England made their Test debut on 7 May 1949 during a series that also featured Scotland and Wales. Both matches were played at the General Electric Company ground on Preston Road, Wembley. England won both matches 25–3. The match against Scotland is believed to be England's first international. In 1954, England played Northern Ireland for the first time. On 12 May 1956, England hosted a touring Australia. It was the first time England played an overseas team. Australia won 14–11 at Harringay Arena before a crowd of more than 5,000. Later in 1956, England played an away series against South Africa, winning all three tests.

Tournament history

Netball World Cup

England have competed at every World Netball Championships and/or Netball World Cup since the inaugural 1963 tournament. Their best performances have been in 1975 and 2023 when on both occasions they finished second. Source:

World Games

Between 1985 and 1993, England competed at the World Games. Source:

Commonwealth Games

England have competed at every netball tournament at the Commonwealth Games. Between 1998 and 2014, Australia and New Zealand contested every final and won every gold and silver medal between them. However, in 2018, England caused a major surprise when, with a team coached by Tracey Neville and captained by Ama Agbeze, they defeated Australia in the final. Helen Housby scored in the final second to give England a 52–51 victory. As a result England became only the third team to both reach the final and win the gold medal. At the 2018 BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards, England's last second win over Australia was voted sporting moment of the year. England were also named Team of the Year. Sources:

Taini Jamison Trophy

Since 2008, Netball New Zealand has hosted the Taini Jamison Trophy series. The series features New Zealand playing against visiting teams. England competed in the inaugural 2008 series and have been regular participants ever since. In 2021, they won the series for the first time. It was the first time that England had won a series in New Zealand. The England team were coached by Jess Thirlby and captained by Serena Guthrie. In 2024, England won the series for a second time. The team was again coached by Thirlby and this time captained by Fran Williams.

Netball Quad Series/Nations Cup

Since 2016, England have competed in the Netball Quad Series, playing against Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

Fast5 Netball World Series

Since 2009, England have played in the Fast5 Netball World Series. In 2011, with a team coached by Anna Mayes and captained by Jade Clarke, England defeated New Zealand 33–26 in the final to win their first major tournament. In 2017 Fast5 Netball World Series, with a team coached by Tracey Neville and captained by Ama Agbeze, England won the series for a second time. In the final they defeated Jamaica 34–29.

European Netball Championship

England have regularly played in the European Netball Championship, playing against teams such as Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. England are the competition's most successful team. Source:

Notable players

Current squad

Notable past players

England Netball's Hall of Fame

The following England netball internationals have been inducted into England Netball's Hall of Fame. Sources:

Tournament winning captains

2018 Commonwealth Games gold medallists

The following England netball internationals were members of the squad that won the gold medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. At the 2018 BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards, they were also named Team of the Year.

Head coaches

Honours