Geitz taking time out from netball

Australian captain Laura Geitz won't play netball for at least the next year after it was announced she's pregnant with her first child.

Netball Australia revealed on Sunday that Geitz will miss the upcoming Constellation Cup against New Zealand and next year's new national netball season.

The 28-year-old two-time world champion is putting her career on hold to have a baby, due in March.

"This is incredibly exciting news for Laura and (husband) Mark, we are absolutely thrilled for them," said Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander.

Geitz captained the Queensland Firebirds to a double extra-time trans-Tasman netball league grand final win over the NSW Swifts at the end of July when she was nine weeks pregnant.

Geitz has racked up 64 Test caps for Australia, including only three losses in 29 matches as skipper.