NSW Swifts imports Helen Housby, Natalie Haythornthwaite, Sam Wallace at home in Super Netball

They have a special understanding on the court that requires no words but off it the Swifts foreign contingent admits some things get lost in translation.

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They have a special understanding on the court that requires no words but off it the Swifts foreign contingent admits some things get lost in translation.

English Stars Helen Housby and Natalie Haythornthwaite and gregarious Trinidad and Tobago shooter Sam Wallace are part of a potent attacking arsenal the Swifts are hoping will see them crack the top four in Super Netball this season.

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Off it they are flat mates, sharing a home and their off court lives while playing professional netball.

Helen Housby, Samantha Wallace and Natalie Haythornthwaite at home in Sydney. Pic: Justin Lloyd.

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Housby, the woman who shot the winning goal for England in last year’s Commonwealth Games gold medal match against Australia, says living together helps keep home sickness at bay for the three foreigners but can also be interesting in terms of communication.

Housby, who admits she has struggled with the Australian slang of her Swifts teammates, says it has also taken time to understand speed-speaking Wallace.

Helen Housby in action against Vixens defender Jo Weston.

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“When I first came out I couldn’t understand her but I probably understand her the best of anyone now,” said Housby. “It’s the speed of the way she talks as well. I tell her to talk slow.

“But when she is face-timing her family we can’t understand a thing. It just sounds like a crazy conversation.

“I would enjoy myself here half as much without them. We are a little family and it is so nice to come home and have people who understand what you do.”

Helen Housby, Samantha Wallace and Natalie Haythornthwaite have become like family at the Swifts. Pic: Justin Lloyd.

Housby says she is also bemused by Australian slang and love of nicknames.

“You use a lot of slang and shorten things like arvo, servo and then you have things like hard yakka. It took me a while to understand,” she said.

“And my nickname, Houso, it’s doesn’t make sense because it’s not like it’s any shorter or easier to say. It’s crazy.”

But where it matters most - on the court - the Australians and imports are in perfect synch.

In total there are 21 imports playing in Super netball this season along with 59 Australian players.

Every team has at least one international with the imports hailing from England, New Zealand, Jamaica, South Africa, Malawi, Uganda and Trinidad and Tobago.

The NSW Swifts will play their second game of Super Netball against the Adelaide Thunderbirds at 3pm on Sunday at the Quaycentre.

Fellow NSW side, the Giants, head south to take on the Melbourne Vixens in their Sunday match-up at 5pm.