The Fiji men’s hockey team is gearing up for the challenging Oceania Pacific Cup scheduled for next month. With just days to go before the tournament begins, the team is set to compete against eight other teams, including the Fiji national team, Fiji Warriors, New Zealand Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Samoa, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu.
Coach Shaun Corrie expressed his satisfaction with fielding two men’s teams, which will allow more players the chance to hone their skills in a competitive setting. He noted that the competition is likely to be fierce, particularly with the New Zealand Fiji team, which features players from the New Zealand National Selection Squads, including Zander Fraser, Aidan Fraser, Rocco, and NZ-based Fiji representative Khelvin Ratubuli.
“We anticipate a tough challenge from the fast-paced Solomon Islands team, especially with the establishment of their High-Performance Unit Institute. Tonga and Samoa tend to draw players from Australia and New Zealand, making them unpredictable opponents. Moreover, Vanuatu, known for their hockey5s facility, and PNG, with its artificial turf, are also teams to look out for due to their distinctive playing styles,” explained Corrie.
As the full squad is still being finalized, with some players in the West awaiting leave from work to assemble in Suva, training sessions are ongoing. The team remains hopeful of having everyone together by the weekend, providing them with two weeks to prepare. Coach Corrie emphasized the importance of focusing on daily trainings, improving fitness levels, and refining both offensive and defensive strategies despite the limited preparation time.
The team is grateful for the support from various sponsors, including Fiji Sports Commission, Fiji Sports Council, Motibhai, Asco Motors, Vodafone, and Digicel, among others, which has helped them prepare for the competition.
The Pacific Cup will be held at the National Hockey turf in Laucala Bay from December 9-12, and the Fiji team is optimistic about making a strong showing.
This tournament presents an excellent opportunity for the Fiji team to showcase their skills and resilience against tough competition, fostering growth and camaraderie among players. The upcoming event could serve as a catalyst for the development of hockey in Fiji, inspiring the next generation of athletes.
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