Staying in the Game

Team sports require strength, determination, and grit but, it gives a lot more than it takes. We talked to some of the best in the biz, Laura Geitz and Gretel Bueta about what kept them coming back for more on the court.

Even as a professional netballer, the moments she shared with her teammates on and off the court was what kept Laura coming back every season.

“Even now when I look back on my career, it's not the wins that I remember the most. Obviously, they are a big part of it, but it's all the funny little things that happen along the way that you just talk about for years and years that come to mind”, says Laura.

“I've obviously been out of the game for a while now, but when I think back to what netball gave me, it's all the little moments away from the court. The moments that bond you aren’t always the biggest or most memorable, but that's what friendships are based on. I think that's a great thing about netball.”

For Gretel, the same sense of camaraderie rings true.

“Netball is the ultimate team sport. You need the whole team doing their job to be successful. I love that about netball. You build a special bond with all your team mates. I am so grateful for the friendships I have built through sport”, says Gretel.

Aside from friendship, the confidence and resilience netball has given Gretel and Laura has been game changing.

“If I look back to when I was younger, it just gave me confidence to be happy in my own skin. Netball gave me confidence and a strength of character which I never knew I really had in me”, says Laura.

“Netball pushes you to your limits on a daily basis. You’re giving direct feedback to one another and it kind of takes you to a place very quickly where you become more resilient than you can imagine”.

“The confidence it gave me was huge. At school, I was a big, tall, lanky girl that just stood out like a sore thumb. I didn't want to talk up in front of a crowd or be noticed more than I already was. But in sport you embrace that, which is really special”, says Gretel.

Just like Gretel and Laura, at Suncorp we know that every girl’s endgame is different. And we’re here for all of them. That’s the Suncorp Spirit.
 

Read more:

• Suncorp Australian Youth & Confidence Research 2019
• In Their Corner with SSN Stars
• Committed to keeping girls in the game

If your child, or anyone you know is having issues with self-esteem, confidence or mental or physical health, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800.

This content includes the views and opinions of a third-party, and does not necessarily reflect the views of Suncorp.