By Ashlee Tulloch
Just days after losing her mother to cancer, Irene van Dyk is putting on a brave face ahead of the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic's trans-Tasman netball championship final.
Not only did van Dyk play Monday night’s game just hours after being told the news, but she'll wait until after the final to farewell her mum.
The pain is still very real and very raw for van Dyk, but the inspirational shooter is doing her best to hold it together with her teammates by her side.
And despite grieving the loss of her mother, she hasn't once questioned playing in Sunday’s final.
“It is hard when you're in this situation, but you know my mum is the reason why I’m here so I think it’s fitting that I play the last game for her.”
But the support of the Magic is helping her cope.
“We are a bunch of girls who are really close to one another and who would do anything for one another.”
Van Dyk’s mum, also named Irene, helped her daughter move to New Zealand 12 years ago.
The same year fellow South African, long-time friend and team mate Leana de Bruin also made the move.
“It is tough, but you know we've been through a lot together and this is just one little hurdle that we have to overcome again,” de Bruin says.
Van Dyk's performance against the Mystics - just hours after hearing news of her mother - is providing plenty of inspiration for Sunday’s final against the Vixens.
Magic coach Noeline Taurua is feeling confident.
“When we looked at her eyes and the performance that she put on out there on court and knowing definitely what was behind that, man we've just got utter love for the woman, for us it just shows and epitomises her and her character.”
The Magic's first title was the perfect way for the veteran to honour her mother.
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