Allora’s Laura Geitz can now boast a world championship win in by far the best season she’s had in her netball career.
True to form, the Australian Netball Diamonds and New Zealand Silver Ferns had another epic battle in the gold medal playoff match at the 2011 World Netball Championships held in Singapore on Sunday.
The Diamonds were down by six goals at half-time but, with the introduction of Geitz as goal keeper and West Coast Fever’s Caitlin Bassett as goal shooter in their first ever world championships, the Australians were able to quickly score to equalise with the Ferns before finally taking the match in extra time 58-57. The Diamonds reclaimed their number one world ranking as a result of this win.
In the leadup to the final, Geitz continued her superb form, taking eight intercepts and 15 rebounds in a player of the match performance against Northern Ireland. Allora received a mention during the broadcast.
After the final whistle of the World Netball Championships, Geitz sent a text to her mum Juanita, saying “I can’t describe what I’m feeling now”.
Both Mr and Mrs Geitz were in Singapore to cheer on their daughter.
“It was very special. It was just the best fun. We’ve come home with the gold and we won with the Queensland Firebirds (in the 2011 ANZ Championship),” Mrs Geitz said.
She urged netball fans to attend the next world championships in Sydney in 2015 to experience the amazing atmosphere for themselves.
Story: Rebecca Brown
