Netball superstar Laura Geitz announces retirement

Netball legend Laura Geitz has announced her retirement from the game, ending the career of one of Australia’s very best.

The 30-year-old captained Australia to victory at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and the 2015 World Cup, before giving the game away for the birth of her son Barney in 2017.

She made a successful return for the Commonwealth Games earlier this year, and was a part of the Queensland Firebirds squad that made the semi-finals of the just-completed Super Netball series.

Former Australian captain Liz Ellis says Geitz will be remembered as one of the superstars of the sport.

“Laura will go down as one of the greats of Australian netball,” Ellis told Wide World of Sports.

“Her ability to win back the ball in crucial moments is something that has been so great for Australia and the Firebirds over many years.

“She has been a matchwinner for such a long period of time.

“She’s not only a great player but a great leader as well, she’s so highly regarded not just on the court but off it as well.

“They won that 2014 Commonwealth Games title by a huge margin and we haven’t seen anything like it before or since in a major final. Winning the Commonwealth Games and the World Cup in 2015 is certainly an extraordinary achievement for any captain.”

Ellis says Geitz has laid the platform for sustained success at the Firebirds.

“In her wake she leaves a Firebirds team that’s full of confidence and one that should be contenders for years to come,” Ellis said.

“She’s been instrumental in shaping that next generation within that team, and especially their young defensive line.

“For those young players having had the benefit of playing with Laura it will be so beneficial as they move forward with their own careers.

“But her biggest legacy is being one of those players who has shown you can come back and play top level netball after having a baby. She’s a real role-model, not just for netballers but for the general population at large in showing just what can be done.”

Geitz retires having played 169 national league games, and 71 Test for the Diamonds.