van Dyk's mother passes away

Irene van Dyk's tears after her Magic netball team beat the Mystics last night to get to the final were not tears of joy.

Her mother had died hours beforehand.

Immediately after the match she was very distressed and was comforted by her team mates.

Her mum had been ill for some time and she died at home in South Africa after a battle with cancer.

The Magic are rallying around star shooter Irene van Dyk who's mother passed away in South Africa just hours before the ANZ Netball Championship Preliminary final against the Mystics.

Van Dyk played a major role in the Magic's overtime win and Magic CEO Sheryl Dawson says it was a difficult day.

"It was extremely hard and I really do take my hat off to Irene, the consummate professional, and the rest of the team who just were not going to let anything go."

Dawson says van Dyk's family in South Africa have decided to hold the funeral after Sunday's final in Melbourne enabling van Dyk to play against the Vixens.

Photo: Photosport