Laura von Bertouch

Laura von Bertouch (born on 4 December 1980 in Adelaide, Australia) was a player for the Australian national netball team and was captain for the Adelaide Thunderbirds in the Commonwealth Bank Trophy (Australia's Netball league). She was a mid-court player and plays either Centre or Wing Attack.

Laura is the older sister of Natalie von Bertouch who also plays for Australia and the Adelaide Thunderbirds.

At 167 cm tall, Laura isn't as tall as most other netballers but is certainly, along with her sister, one of the quickest players in the game. Her speed and agility around the court are her greatest strengths along with her determination and strong combination with her sister.

Laura has been in the Australian national netball squad, on and off (as a result of sustaining playing injuries), since 2003 and made her international debut for Australia against New Zealand in July 2006. After a nervous start for the Australian team, Laura has risen to become a reliable Wing Attack for her country. She was an important contributor in Australia's win against New Zealand in the trans-Tasman Test series in October 2006.

Laura's future goals are to continue to play for Australia and to win a premiership with the Adelaide Thunderbirds.Her most memorable moment in Netball is winning the ETSA Contax premiership in 2005.

Laura's father is Terry von Bertouch, a former Australian rules football player in the SANFL, who she describes as the most influential person in her netball career.

On the 21st of November, 2007, she announced her retirement from all forms of the game, due to being "burnt out" and to concentrate on her career as an Occupational Therapist. She has not ruled out a return to playing in the future but she will take at least a year away from the sport.