THE whistle is only the beginning.
Kristelle Sorovaki and Mark Parson know the real test at this year’s Fiji University Sports Association (FUSA) games is happening between the whistle and the final buzzer.
Both wear the University of the South Pacific (USP) colours. Both are captains. But they arrive at the National Netball Centre with different stories and the same responsibility: to lead from the front.
For Sorovaki, university netball is another step in a journey that began long before she entered USP.
The first-year Environmental Science student was introduced to the sport by her mother and has since climbed through school and national junior competition.
Now she is leading the USP women’s side while juggling assignments, lectures, training and competition.
“It’s been trying to balance training and school at the same time,” Sorovaki said.
USP began its women’s campaign with an 11-2 victory over Uni Fiji before drawing 5-5 with Corpus Christi Teachers College.
With the Games finishing today, Sorovaki wants her team to squeeze everything out of its remaining opportunity.
The former St Joseph’s Secondary School student was part of the school team that won last year’s secondary schools netball championship and has since moved into Fiji’s Under-21 squad.
“That experience really taught me a lot, and it really helped me grow my game,” she said.
Sorovaki is still chasing the dream of one day wearing the colours of the Fiji Pearls.
On the other side of the court, Parson understands a different kind of pressure. They are here to defend the title.
USP won last year’s men’s netball category, leaving Parson and his teammates with the challenge of protecting their place.
“We are defending the title for the men’s category. It was never going to be easy anyway,” he said.
Parson said the side was approaching the games one match at a time, concentrating on its structures and processes as it works towards the final.
The competition ends today.
