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Laura Geitz
Laura Geitz
Laura Geitz
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Laura Geitz (born 4 November 1987) is an Australian former netball player and former captain of the Australian national team. Geitz was selected for the 2008 Australian national team,[4] and has won a silver medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, a gold medal at the 2011 World Netball Championships and a gold medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games as captain. In domestic netball, Geitz plays for the Queensland Firebirds in the ANZ Championship.[5] She previously captained the AIS Canberra Darters in the Commonwealth Bank Trophy.

Key Information

Personal life

[edit]

Geitz grew up in Allora, Queensland in the Darling Downs region.[6][7] Her forebears Adam and Annie Geitz settled in the region, after migrating from Germany in 1872[8]. Geitz gave birth to a son on 25 February 2017.[9]

Career

[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Laura Geitz.

In 2011, Geitz played a major role for the Queensland Firebirds in their undefeated ANZ Championship win. In addition, Geitz was part of the Diamonds squad for the 2011 Netball World Championships in Singapore. Although Geitz did not play as Goal Keeper in the first half against New Zealand (Susan Fuhrmann played Goal Keeper for the first half), her impact helped recover a six-goal deficit to force the match into overtime. This move proved to be successful as the Diamonds prevailed over their rivals in a one-goal victory.

Geitz was honoured with the Liz Ellis Diamond in 2011.[3] She has 32 Test Caps for Australia.

In 2013, she led the Australian team for the first time, winning the 2013 Constellation Cup against New Zealand.[10] In 2014, Geitz was named captain of the Australian Netball Team to compete at the 2014 Commonwealth Games. Under her captaincy the team defeated the New Zealand National Netball Team in the gold medal match, ending Australia's 12-year gold medal drought at the Commonwealth Games. In 2015, Geitz captained the Queensland Firebirds to the championship, winning over the New South Wales Swifts to secure the ANZ Championship for that season.

Geitz remained at the Firebirds through the first two seasons of the new Suncorp Super Netball league. She announced her retirement from international team duties in July 2018, having been capped 71 times for her country.[11] Later that year, Geitz retired from domestic netball as well, ending her career with 169 domestic league caps and two Player of the Year awards (2011 and 2014) in the old ANZ Championship competition.[12]

Honours

[edit]

In May 2017, a bronze statue depicting Geitz was officially unveiled by Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre in Boondal.[13] The statue was created by sculptor Liam Hardy who spent 700 hours carving out a likeness of Geitz, depicting her on her toe tips with her right arm stretched for a fingertip touch of the ball.[13]

In 2020, it was announced a 4-foot tall statuette, a replica of the full sized bronze statue, would be unveiled in her hometown of Allora.[14] However, before its official unveiling at Allora's sports museum, the statuette was allegedly damaged by vandals and the ball that Geitz was depicted as touching which was allegedly pried from the statue and stolen.[15]

In 2025, she was inducted into Sport Australia Hall of Fame as athlete member.[16]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Laura Geitz

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Laura Geitz (born 4 November 1987) is a retired Australian player who served as captain of the national team, the Australian Diamonds, and is widely regarded as one of the sport's greatest defenders for her tactical acumen and leadership. Geitz began her professional career with the in the in 2008, making 169 national league appearances and captaining the team to three premierships, including back-to-back titles in 2015 and 2016. She debuted for the Australian Diamonds the same year, accumulating 71 Test matches and earning the Diamond Award in 2011 as the nation's top player. Under her captaincy from 2013, the Diamonds secured gold at the in and the 2015 in , marking Australia's second consecutive world title; she also contributed to the 2011 victory and multiple medals, including silver in 2010. Geitz announced her retirement from international netball in July 2018 following a bronze medal at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, and from domestic play in August 2018 after a decade of service to her state and country. Post-retirement, she has worked as a media commentator for Netball Australia and Channel 9, served as a brand ambassador for organizations like Suncorp and Queensland Country Health Fund, and been inducted into the Queensland Sport Hall of Fame in 2022 and the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 2025. Growing up on a farm in Allora, Queensland, she overcame early homesickness to become a role model for aspiring athletes, with a bronze sculpture honoring her legacy outside Brisbane's Nissan Arena.

Personal life

Early life

Laura Geitz was born on 4 November 1987 in Allora, Queensland, Australia. Geitz grew up in the small rural town of Allora in Queensland's Darling Downs region, a farming community with a population of around 1,000 residents located approximately 150 km southwest of Brisbane. She was raised on her family's grain and cattle farm, where she spent much of her childhood assisting with daily tasks such as mending fences and checking irrigation lines alongside her father, Ross Geitz. This rural environment fostered her down-to-earth personality and provided early exposure to physical activities through family labor and local community events. Her initial interest in netball developed during primary school at Allora State School, where she began playing to build confidence amid her shy nature and rapid growth spurt that earned her the nickname "Little Giraffe" at age 12. Influenced by sibling rivalry with her older sister Carla, who also played the sport, Geitz joined her first club experiences in the Warwick Netball Association around age 13, marking the start of her athletic pursuits. Geitz's parents, Ross and Juanita, played pivotal roles in encouraging her early athletic development, with Ross particularly supportive of her involvement and predicting her future success in the sport. Their backing helped her overcome initial self-doubt in the rural setting, laying the foundation for her dedication to amid broader family-oriented influences.

Family

Geitz completed her secondary education at The Scots PGC College in Warwick, Queensland. In 2013, Geitz married Mark Gilbride, a former rugby player, in a ceremony at the Scots PGC College chapel in Warwick. The couple welcomed their first child, son Barney Ross Gilbride, on 25 February 2017. The birth prompted Geitz to place her netball career on hold initially, as she adjusted to motherhood while contemplating a return to elite competition. She has spoken about the challenges of resuming training amid sleep deprivation and family demands, noting, "Returning to professional netball meant balancing things like not getting much sleep with the demands of elite sport – having to go to training and be switched on, for example – and then coming back home to being a mum." Geitz emphasized family as her top priority, stating, "Family's my priority in life, regardless of where I am in my career. It's always been No. 1 to me," and expressed gratitude for the support from her husband and extended family that enabled her to combine motherhood with her athletic commitments. The couple later welcomed son Frank Gilbride on 25 July 2019, daughter Billie May Gilbride in early January 2021, and daughter Pippa Goldie Gilbride on 2 February 2023. Standing at 190 cm (6 ft 3 in), Geitz's height was an early point of family encouragement regarding her athletic potential, despite initial challenges like at school. Her late father, Ross, a sunflower farmer from their rural upbringing in , helped her embrace her stature, predicting it would become an asset in sports and advising her to "stand tall." This familial perspective shaped her confidence, with Geitz later reflecting on how her physical attributes, combined with family support, fueled her drive in during her career.

Netball career

Domestic career

Laura Geitz made her professional debut with the in 2008, during the inaugural season of the , where she was named vice-captain in her first year. Over her decade-long tenure with the club, she accumulated 169 appearances, establishing herself as a versatile defender capable of playing both (GK) and goal defence (GD) positions. Geitz assumed the Firebirds' captaincy in 2011 following an to predecessor Lauren Nourse, leading the team to its first premiership that season with an undefeated 13-0 regular-season record and a victory over the . Her leadership emphasized intense full-court defensive pressure, which was pivotal in the team's success. Under her guidance, the Firebirds secured back-to-back titles in 2015 and 2016 in the prior to the league's transition to Suncorp Super Netball in 2017; in the 2015 , Geitz's defensive efforts helped secure a narrow 57-56 win against the , while the 2016 triumph came via a 62-58 defeat of the . After taking a maternity break in 2017 following the birth of her son, Geitz returned for the 2018 season, contributing to the Firebirds' defensive unit before announcing her retirement from domestic in August 2018.

International career

Laura Geitz made her international debut for the Australian Diamonds in 2008 against England, marking the start of a distinguished tenure as a goal keeper. Over the course of her career, she accumulated 71 test caps, contributing to Australia's dominance in global competitions. Her early international appearances included a at the in , where she showcased her defensive prowess in high-pressure scenarios. In 2013, Geitz was appointed captain of , becoming the first leader selected by her peers and the first Queenslander in the role since 1999. Under her leadership, secured gold at the in , defeating in the final. She also captained the team to victory at the in , overcoming 58-55 in the championship match to claim 's third world title. Earlier, as a key player, Geitz had been instrumental in the win in , helping orchestrate a dramatic comeback against in the semi-final. Geitz's defensive contributions were pivotal in major tournaments, where her interceptions and court positioning disrupted opponents' attacks while providing vocal leadership to her teammates. Notable moments included her role in the 2013 "Geitz Gate" confrontation during a series against , underscoring her competitive edge. She announced her international retirement in July , following a at the Gold Coast , citing a desire to prioritize family life after the birth of her son and to pursue new professional opportunities.

Post-retirement activities

Motivational speaking

Following her retirement from international in 2018, Laura Geitz emerged as a prominent , leveraging her experiences as captain of the Australian Diamonds to inspire audiences on personal and professional growth. She is represented by several agencies, including Celebrity Speakers, Inspire Speakers, Saxton Speakers, and Keynote Entertainment, which facilitate her tailored presentations for diverse groups. Geitz's talks center on themes of , resilience, and , drawing directly from her career where she led teams to multiple premierships and international successes. She emphasizes adaptability, teamwork, goal setting, and building confidence, often adapting content to resonate with corporate professionals, students, or women navigating challenges. Her engagements span corporate events with partners like Suncorp and Rebel, school programs aimed at young girls, and women's conferences, including appearances at the Women in Sport Congress where she shared insights on leadership in sports. These activities continued actively through 2025, focusing on empowering audiences to overcome obstacles. In media, Geitz has appeared in interviews discussing her retirement transition and work-life balance, such as a 2019 Courier Mail feature highlighting her priorities as a mother and speaker. She also serves as a commentator for Netball Australia and networks like Fox Sports, Channel 9, and in November 2025 joined the Fire5 commentary team. Geitz is widely regarded for inspiring women and girls, with outlets like The Guardian praising her as a leader and "inspiration to her sisters" in the sport.

Netball involvement

Following her retirement from professional in 2018, Laura Geitz has focused on mentoring young athletes through targeted programs and clinics, drawing on her experience as a former captain to foster the next generation of players. Since that year, she has been involved in the rebel NextGen program, a mentoring initiative designed to support emerging female athletes by providing guidance on skill development and personal growth. Her efforts include running annual clinics in regional areas, where she delivers hands-on coaching to junior players to enhance their technical abilities and build confidence in the sport. Geitz has taken on roles in talent identification and training for emerging players, participating in sessions that emphasize strategic gameplay and . As part of these activities, she contributes to programs like Fuel2Fly, which offers young girls instruction in skills alongside workshops on , , and building qualities. In 2024, she publicly endorsed Netball Queensland's strategic priorities document, highlighting her commitment to the organization's vision for talent pathways and statewide development. Geitz has made notable contributions to broader Netball Australia initiatives, including authoring content that promotes the sport's expansion. In a 2025 article, she advocated for netball's inclusion in the Olympics, underscoring its status as Australia's leading women's participation sport with over 1 million players and calling for greater investment to elevate its global profile. She has also served as an ambassador for the Suncorp Team Girls program since its inception around 2017, sharing personal anecdotes on how netball fostered her resilience and encouraging off-season activity to sustain youth engagement. In advisory and capacities, Geitz continues to influence 's growth, particularly for women and girls, by leveraging her platform to support inclusive policies and community outreach. Her ongoing involvement as a Rebel ambassador further amplifies these efforts, focusing on accessible resources for aspiring players. In 2020, she launched Tribal Netball Geitzy, her own activewear brand aimed at supporting female athletes.

Honours

Individual awards

In 2011, Laura Geitz received the Diamond, the highest individual honour in Australian , awarded annually to the most outstanding Australian player across domestic and international competitions based on performance, leadership, and impact. This accolade recognized her pivotal role as a defender for the and the Australian Diamonds, including her contributions to the 2011 victory. That same year, Geitz also won the Australian Player of the Year award, selected by coaches, players, and media for exceptional on-court excellence in the premier domestic league. Geitz earned the Australian ANZ Championship Player of the Year award again in 2014, highlighting her consistent defensive prowess and leadership during a standout season with the Firebirds. This recognition underscored her ability to intercept plays and anchor the team's backline, contributing to her selection as captain that year. In 2022, Geitz was inducted into the Sport and Athletics Hall of Fame, recognizing her contributions to as a athlete. In August 2025, Geitz was inducted into the Sport Hall of Fame as an Athlete Member, one of seven inductees that year, honouring her as a trailblazing defender and inspirational who led through a golden era of success. The induction criteria emphasize sustained excellence, innovation in sport, and lasting contributions, criteria Geitz met through her 71 Tests for , two golds, and role in three medals, including captaining the 2014 gold-winning team. The formal ceremony occurred in November 2025, where her legacy as a respected leader from a small town was celebrated.

Team achievements

Geitz contributed to the ' premiership victories in the in 2011 and in Suncorp Super Netball in 2015 and 2016. With the Australian Diamonds, she was part of the team that won the 2011 in and the 2015 in , where she served as captain. The , under her captaincy, also secured gold at the 2014 in . During her international tenure, the Australian Diamonds achieved victories in the Quad Series in 2016. In recognition of her team contributions, a 2.6-metre statue of Geitz was unveiled in May 2017 outside the . A 4-foot statuette replica, planned for unveiling in 2020 at the Allora Regional Sports Museum to honour her hometown roots, was damaged by vandals prior to the event, with the element stolen; it was subsequently unveiled in July 2022.

References

  1. https://www.celebrityspeakers.com.au/speakers/laura-geitz/
  2. https://qld.netball.com.au/laura-geitz
  3. https://netball.com.au/news/geitz-inducted-sport-australia-hall-fame
  4. https://netball.com.au/sites/default/files/2019-06/Annual-Report-2011.pdf
  5. https://www.espn.com/espnw/story/_/id/24529034/champion-laura-geitz-retires-super-netball
  6. https://qld.netball.com.au/news/netball-queensland-congratulates-laura-geitz-queensland-sport-hall-fame-induction
  7. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/jul/09/laura-geitz-brings-down-curtain-on-glittering-international-netball-career
  8. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-31/netball-champion-laura-geitz-retires-from-sport/10187964
  9. https://engagingwomen.com.au/stories/laura-geitz-australian-diamonds/
  10. https://couriermail.com.au/news/australian-netball-captain-laura-geitz-says-dad-ross-inspired-her-to-reach-the-top/news-story/274a46450cedd7a7e95d7adacc77fa2e
  11. https://www.saxton.com.au/speakers/laura-geitz
  12. https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/warwick/sport/allora-player-makes-the-top-100-in-queensland/news-story/13dfc378bc51b24f4001b84feea7b78b
  13. https://www.facebook.com/laura.geitz/videos/when-i-was-12-my-nickname-was-little-giraffe-due-to-my-height-i-just-wanted-to-b/612925129234699/
  14. https://www.warwickdailynews.com.au/news/laura-geitz-returns-to-school-Games-medal/670207/
  15. https://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/laura-geitz-wedding/image-gallery/2832b1b0aabc8ac93bdf125bafb2f73e
  16. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/lifestyle/article-4269368/Laura-Geitz-gives-birth-baby-boy.html
  17. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-04-03/laura-geitz-motherhood-commonwealth-games-decision/8411614
  18. https://www.athletesvoice.com.au/laura-geitz-professional-sport-parenthood-and-mental-wellbeing-the-great-balancing-act/
  19. https://www.espn.com/espnw/story/_/id/22341235/how-motherhood-empowering-laura-geitz-comeback-commonwealth-games
  20. https://www.couriermail.com.au/entertainment/confidential/netball-great-laura-geitz-welcomes-second-child/news-story/d082f4eb4b9d334a1cf3da35ba23aace
  21. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-9129133/Former-Australian-netballer-Laura-Geitz-announces-arrival-child-husband-Mark.html
  22. https://www.couriermail.com.au/entertainment/confidential/netball-star-laura-geitz-gives-birth-to-fourth-child/news-story/524d4281c86de9bfa3573ba86bd061f5
  23. https://www.news.com.au/national/queensland/firebirds-star-geitz-credits-her-dad-with-helping-her-when-she-was-hassled-over-her-height/news-story/16108b45428b53d380af75373ed0810c
  24. https://www.northweststar.com.au/story/4308640/geitz-speaks-on-aspiration/
  25. https://www.inspirespeakers.com.au/speakers/show/laura-geitz/
  26. https://www.smh.com.au/sport/netball/laura-geitz-reflects-on-firebirds-career-20150327-1m9j03.html
  27. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-05-22/perfect-firebirds-soar-to-maiden-title/2724282
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  29. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/jul/10/laura-geitz-a-leader-of-women-and-inspiration-to-her-sisters
  30. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/jun/21/netball-grand-final-firebirds-deliver-gut-wrenching-defeat-to-super-swifts
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  32. https://commonwealthgames.com.au/geitz-golden-career/
  33. https://www.espn.com/netball/story/_/id/24042813/australia-laura-geitz-calls-international-netball-career
  34. https://www.keynoteentertainment.com.au/speakers/motivational-speakers/laura-geitz
  35. https://womeninsportcongress.com/
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  37. https://www.tiktok.com/@fire5_netball/video/7568605064751779092
  38. https://www.minervanetwork.com.au/team-members/laura-geitz
  39. https://thewomensgame.com/news/geitz-helping-the-nextgen-514494/page0
  40. https://www.queenslandcountry.health/help-centre/about-us/laura-geitz/
  41. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPgVSVE3jzs
  42. https://netball.com.au/news/geitz-netballs-olympic-dream
  43. https://www.suncorpgroup.com.au/news/features/holding-court-team-girls
  44. https://womenshealth.com.au/wh-uninterrupted-podcast-laura-geitz-netball-glory-navigating-change/
  45. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-11-19/geitz-claims-netball-top-honours/3682252
  46. https://www.smh.com.au/sport/geitz-wins-netballs-top-honours-20111119-1noqn.html
  47. https://netball.com.au/history/australian-netball-awards
  48. https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/warwick/sport/laura-geitz-wins-player-of-the-year-award/news-story/69f880cb9ff703cc84d25ff2f57dec1b
  49. https://firebirds.net.au/news/queensland-firebirds-re-name-mv-laura-geitz-medal
  50. https://qsport.org.au/hall-of-fame/inductees/
  51. https://sahof.org.au/sport-australia-hall-of-fame-announces-seven-new-inductees-for-2025/
  52. https://sahof.org.au/events/2025-induction-and-awards-program/
  53. https://www.smh.com.au/sport/anz-netball-championship-grand-final-firebirds-vs-swifts-in-electrifying-finale-20160731-gqhl6b.html
  54. https://commonwealthgames.com.au/cga-welcomes-harcourt-and-geitz-to-sport-australia-hall-of-fame/
  55. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/aug/27/diamonds-shine-netball-quad-series-south-africa
  56. https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/81089
  57. https://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/queensland/warwick/sporting-statue-robbed-before-official-unveiling/news-story/548b235d0d74ebc404c437d66e92c753
  58. https://www.newsregionalmedia.com.au/sport/geitz-statuette-to-stand-proud-in-allora/news-story/97d8ecb0e77b4e4507a5dd646a6f1dce
  59. https://arr.news/2022/07/20/laura-unveils-her-statuette/
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