The University of the South Pacific (USP) team won the Men’s and Mixed Netball Inter- District Championship (IDC) U23 category for the first time in Lautoka last Saturday.

The side edged Lautoka 8-7 and also defended their Men’s and Mixed title.

It was an emotional win for the team who were motivated following the death of teammate Mesulame Rarotoga’s mother who was buried on Wednesday.

Coach Gabrieli Qoro said the death of Rarotoga’s mum gave the team an extra boost to win.

“The U23 side dedicated their first win to Mesulame’s mother,” coach Gabirieli Qoro said.

“When we attended the funeral on Wednesday, the team made it an objective to win so they could dedicate it to Mesu and his late mum.

“Everyone really played their hearts out because they have worked so hard to get to this point.”

Qoro said the fact they have won that category for the first time, given all the players are USP students, reflected the standard of netball.

“We are so happy that we made a clean sweep and that we have taken the U23 title away from Nadi for the first time,” he said.

“Our captain Filimoni Mate was an inspiration to a side where all the players are students at USP.

“We would also like to thank our sponsors USP and Newworld for making it possible to travel and compete in the tournament.”

justine.mannan@fijisun.com.fj