Geitz returns to Diamonds squad in race for Gold Coast selection

Former Diamonds captain Laura Geitz has officially rejoined the national squad as she seeks to become the first mum to play for the Diamonds, and defend her gold medal on home turf.

Former Diamonds captain Laura Geitz has been elevated back into the national squad after 18 months away from the sport, a key step as she seeks to complete a last minute comeback in time for the Commonwealth Games.

Geitz was given the opportunity to opt out of selection after training with the squad at the AIS last week, but decided to throw her hat in an already very crowded ring.

She has not played any elite netball for 18 months, after stepping away to give birth to son Barney, who watched his mother train from the sidelines at last week’s camp.

The star goal keeper said that although she “enjoyed” being back in the team, she hasn’t got a grip on a Diamonds bib just yet.

“I absolutely have no expectation of being in that team, right now looking at the girls involved they’re unbelievably capable of doing the job. They’ve proved that.”

But defending the gold medal she won four years ago, this time on home turf, remains a clear aspiration for Geitz.

“If I didn’t want to be in the team, I wouldn’t have gone to the training camp,” Geitz said.

Diamonds head coach Lisa Alexander said that Geitz performed well at camp, but needs to keep working hard to “reach the level needed”.

Timing on court is a key focal point, as is the physical demands of returning from having a child.

“Coming back from having a baby, you have to treat it like coming back from an injury. You have to be kind to your body and let it recover,” Geitz said.

Despite the optimism in the wake of last week’s camp, Geitz definitely isn’t ahead of schedule.

She now has a handful of weeks left training with the Queensland Firebirds before the Commonwealth Games is announced in February.