Samsung Australian Diamonds goal keeper Laura Geitz has announced she will call an end to her international career after debuting in 2008 and making 71 appearances for the national team.
After ten years of internationally competing, the champion defender, Geitz, said the timing was right to call an end to her Diamonds career. “I have not only had the great honour of representing Australia in the sport I love, but to get the chance to captain the Diamonds to gold at the Commonwealth Games in 2014 is a moment I will cherish for the rest of my life. The team’s success on court is only one part of what netball has given me. The experience and people I have met and worked with along the way have shaped who I am today. I’m excited for what the future holds for the Diamonds, with a number of talented athletes coming through the ranks. I can’t wait to cheer them on during the upcoming International Test Series and at the World Cup next year in England,” Geitz said.
Geitz grew up on a cattle and grain property in Allora, Queensland, with her sister Carla and parents Juanita and Ross. Though the sisters led an active lifestyle swimming and riding horses, a career in netball was never an aspiration for Geitz. It was not until high school that her above average height and natural athleticism began to gain recognition from teachers and coaches, steering her in the direction of playing netball competitively. Since then, Geitz has been involved in two successful Netball World Cup campaigns (2011, 2015) and won Commonwealth Games gold in 2014. She also won the Liz Ellis Diamond in 2011, after a successful World Cup and undefeated domestic season.
After giving birth to her first child, Barney, in 2017, the proud Queenslander returned to the Diamonds squad in 2018 after a year off, to compete at a home Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast last April. For Geitz, the chance to compete at a home Games was a real carrot to get back on the court once last time for the Diamonds. “I’m a passionate Queenslander and to have the Games on the Gold Coast was incredible. While the gold medal game didn’t go our way, it was a fitting event to finish my international career at,” said Geitz. While the last ten years have been a rewarding and “amazing journey” for Geitz, she feels that now is a good time to step back and use her passport for leisure, rather than work. “I’m really looking forward to what the next chapter in my life entails, with more time to focus on work opportunities and my family,” Geitz said.
Diamonds head coach Lisa Alexander said Laura has been an inspirational leader within the playing group and her presence at camps, on tour and most importantly on court will be missed. “Laura has been a champion for the Diamonds, always setting the bench mark for other players, so they knew exactly what was expected to play at this level. Her Diamonds legacy will only grow stronger over the years and no doubt she will continue to have an impact on young players coming up through the ranks. Laura is a fantastic ambassador for netball and I personally thank her for the contribution she has made to Diamonds and netball in Australia,” Alexander said.
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