COMMONWEALTH Games silver medallist Laura Geitz recalled at Saturday night’s Allora welcome the words of her father when she was first asked to be part of an Australian netball squad – “just go for it mate” .

A capacity crowd of 60 attended a dinner organised by the Allora Sports Museum Committee at the Railway Hotel on Saturday night to welcome the Allora goalkeeper home after she won silver in Delhi.

At the age of 17, Geitz was invited to an Australian under-21 camp at the AIS in Canberra and thought she was just there to make up the opposition for squad members.

Towards the end of the camp, Geitz and a Queensland official were asked to meet with Australian netball coach Norma Plummer who invited the Allora player to join the national squad.

“I said I would have to talk to Mum and Dad about it,” Geitz said.

“I rang home and Mum said she didn’t know what to do.

“I was only 17 at the time and still at school. Dad said ‘just go for it mate’.”

She told the audience on Saturday night that the Queensland official was surprised she didn’t immediately say yes. “I don’t think they minded me wanting to ask Mum and Dad,” she said.

Geitz was the new kid on the block for the World Youth Championships that year when Australia won bronze and six years later was the youngest player in the open team that won silver at the Commonwealth Games.

While there were concerns about facilities in Delhi, Geitz said her first Games was an amazing experience.

“They are lovely people in India and embrace you,” she said.

“It was good to see many family friends of Dad and Mum at the dinner who have helped me along the way.”