Commonwealth Games gold medal Captain, Laura Geitz has called time on her distinguished international netball career after 71 tests for the Australian Netball Diamonds.
The 30-year-old made her Diamonds debut in 2008 against England and went on to represent Australia at three Commonwealth Games – Delhi (2010), Glasgow (2014) and Gold Coast (2018).
Geitz led her country to victory at the 2015 World Cup in Sydney and the Diamonds to a gold medal in Glasgow, her highlights of a decade in the green and gold.
“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,” Geitz said.
“These 10 years have flown by and been an amazing journey. 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,” she said.
The Queensland Firebirds sensation earned her fairy-tale Australian recall for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, following the birth of her first child Barney in February last year.
“I wasn’t ready to retire, I hadn’t exhausted all my love for the game,” Geitz said.
“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.
“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,” she said.
Diamonds head coach Lisa Alexander said Geitz had been an inspirational leader.
“Laura has been a champion for the Diamonds, the ultimate professional, always setting the benchmark for other players, so they knew exactly what was expected to play at this level,” Alexander said.
“Laura is a fantastic ambassador for netball and I personally thank her for the contribution she has made to Diamonds and netball in Australia.”
LISTEN:
March 9, 2018
Laura Geitz joined us on Gold Coast Gold following her selection into the GC2018 Diamonds team.
