Laura Geitz
A commanding Australian netball goalkeeper whose fierce defensive prowess and inspirational leadership anchored a golden era for the Diamonds.
Born 1987 (age 39)·Australian netball player·Birthday: November 4·Millennials
Biography
Laura Geitz was the immovable object at the heart of Australian netball's dominance in the 2010s. With a combination of athleticism, tactical genius, and an intimidating on-court presence, she redefined the goalkeeper position. Hailing from rural Queensland, Geitz's rise was swift; she debuted for the national team, the Diamonds, in 2008. But it was as captain from 2014 that she cemented her legacy, leading with a calm authority that belied her fierce competitive nature. Under her stewardship, Australia won the 2014 Commonwealth Games gold in a thrilling final and the 2015 Netball World Cup. Domestically, she was the bedrock of the Queensland Firebirds, captaining them to two ANZ Championship titles. Geitz's game was built on relentless pressure, spectacular intercepts, and an uncanny ability to disrupt the best shooters in the world, making her the cornerstone of every team she led.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Laura was born in 1987, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Laura Was Born
The biggest hits of 1987
#1 Movie
Three Men and a Baby
Best Picture
The Last Emperor
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Laura's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1987Born
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1992Started school
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2000Became a teenager
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Could drive
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2005Could vote
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2008Turned 21
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2017Turned 30
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 39 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Captained the Australian Diamonds to victory at the 2015 Netball World Cup in Sydney.
- Led Australia to a gold medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow as team captain.
- Won two ANZ Championships with the Queensland Firebirds (2011, 2015), captaining the latter victory.
- Awarded the Liz Ellis Diamond in 2014 as Australia's best netball player.
Did You Know?
She was a talented junior basketball player and represented Queensland in the sport before focusing on netball.
She took a year off from international netball in 2016 to have her first child.
She worked as a commentator for Channel Nine's netball coverage after her retirement.
She grew up on a cattle farm in Allora, Queensland.
“My job was simple: stop the shooter and win back the ball for my team.”
