NETBALL: Allora goalkeeper Laura Geitz has announced her retirement from international netball after a decade at the top of her sport.

Laura first starred in swimming and athletics before she played her first netball at Allora State Schoool.

She was talent identified while a student at Scots PGC College and made a number of state junior teams.

Laura announced her retirement yesterday at the state age netball titles in Ipswich, the home town of her mother Juanita before she married husband Ross Geitz and moved to Allora.

The Warwick Netball Association has 12, 13 and 14 years teams involved in the carnival in Ipswich where Laura made the announcement.

She and husband Mark Gilbridge own land in the Allora area and regardless of her commitments, they were regular visitors to the Southern Downs.

Laura played 71 games for Australia and also enjoyed success with the Queensland Firebirds.

"I have not only had the great honour of representing Australia in the sport I love, but to get the chance to captain the Diamonds to gold at the Commonwealth Games in 2014 is a moment I will cherish for the rest of my life,” she said in a Netball Australia press release yesterday.

"These 10 years have flown by and been an amazing journey. The team's success on court is only one part of what netball has given me. The experience and people I have met and worked with along the way have shaped who I am today.

"I'm excited for what the future holds for the Diamonds, with a number of talented athletes coming through the ranks. I can't wait to cheer them on during the upcoming International Test Series and at the World Cup next year in England," Geitz said.

Laura won gold at two World Cups and won the Liz Ellis Diamond for best Australian player in 2011.

She took time out from her international commitments for the birth of son Barney and returned to play for Australia in this year's Commonwealth Games at the Gold Coast.

Laura said the chance to compete at a home Games was a real carrot to get back on the court one last time for the Diamonds.

"This type of opportunity normally only comes around once in an athletes career, so to get my body right and be in a position to contribute to the Diamonds was a pretty special opportunity.

"I'm a passionate Queenslander and to have the Games on the Gold Coast was incredible. While the gold medal game didn't go our way, it was a fitting event to finish my international career at.

"I'm really looking forward to what the next chapter in my life entails, with more time to focus on work opportunities and my family," Laura said.

Diamonds head coach, Lisa Alexander, said Laura has been an inspirational leader within the playing group and her presence at camps, on tour and most importantly on court will be missed.

"Laura has been a champion for the Diamonds, the ultimate professional, always setting the bench mark for other players, so they knew exactly what was expected to play at this level.

"Her Diamonds legacy will only grow stronger over the years and no doubt she will continue to have an impact on young players coming up through the ranks.

"Laura is a fantastic ambassador for netball and I personally thank her for the contribution she has made to Diamonds and netball in Australia," Alexander said.