Queensland Firebirds former captain Laura Geitz honoured with statue
LAURA Geitz could have nominated the million dollar play.
When suggestions were floating around about how she should be depicted in bronze, one idea was her crowd pleasing defensive intercepts that often got the biggest roars in Firebirds home netball matches.
But the glamour gave way to the grunt. She plumped for the scrap. The contest.
And so sculptor Liam Hardy poured 700 hours into carving out an outstanding work which depicts defender Geitz rising onto her toe tips, right arm stretched to the maximum for a fingertip touch of the ball unveiled by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre at Boondall.
It’s pure desperation which was what her role stood for.
“That pose is the last line,’’ Geitz said.
“It is all up to you.
“I like it because there is a lot of strength behind it. It's the position where you don’t get a lot of credit but it's the hard work that gets the rewards.
“That position in defence is all about strength and anticipation.
“You either reject the shot or make the goal-keeper miss so that ended up being the choice.’’
And it was a good choice too because long after her career ends the statue will be a reminder that, for all of her striking features and country girl warmth, Geitz was at heart a sporting warrior whose grit actually counted for more than her glamour.
Hours before the unveiling Geitz had breakfast with Australian netball coach Lisa Alexander to discuss her future.
Ten week old son Barney went with her as a reminder of her split priorities. She has not played since the Firebirds double overtime win in last year’s national netball championship.
“I am in the process of thinking about it (a comeback). It is all very well to come back and play but I have been out of the game for a year.
“The depth of netball in Australia is so strong that I cannot assume I will just waltz back in. They are discussions I need to have with the coaches. I need to find out where they think I am at and I need to discuss it with my family.
“Netball is a huge part of my life but Barney is now my priority.’’
Geitz, who played a key role in the Firebirds three championships as well as her distinguished national career, was deeply honoured by the statue.
“I thought it was a joke when I was first told. It was only a few days after the grand final and I thought one of the girls was pulling my leg.
“They said you were going to have a bronze statue and I could not believe it.’’
“Initially I was a little bit embarrassed because I play a team sport and am not an individual athlete. So I felt it was not right for just me to be honoured like this.
“But after I had time to think about it represents a hole lot more than just me. It’s family, the Firebirds teammates and the history we have created, the state of Queensland and every little girl who has a dream and wants to achieve it.
“It is a huge honour and a privilege and it represents things much bigger than me and my career. That is what I am most proud about.
Robert Craddock, The Courier-Mail
May 12, 2017
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