The Marist Hockey Club (MHC) is preparing to host the Eastgate Memorial Hockey Open tournament, returning after a four-year hiatus. This marks the 27th edition of the tournament, which honors the contributions of Reginald and Dorothy Eastgate.
MHC president Paul Fraser expressed excitement about the tournament’s return, noting that the last event took place before the COVID-19 pandemic. He highlighted that renovations to the facilities also contributed to the delay in resuming the tournament.
The Eastgate Memorial tournament is scheduled to kick off on the evening of Friday, September 27, and will conclude on Sunday, September 29. It holds a prominent place on the Fiji Hockey Federation calendar as the only club-hosted event in Suva, attracting talent from across the region.
According to Fraser, 14 teams will participate, with the exception of Levuka. This year’s competition will include eight men’s teams and five women’s teams, featuring international participants such as the Australian Wanderers. The men’s division will showcase local clubs like Suva’s Stingers and Ventures, as well as Nadi Stingers, all competing for the top prize. The defending women’s champions, Marist, will face strong competition from Ventures, Mates, and the Australian Wanderers.
Fraser also mentioned that the host men’s team comprises both scholarship players and key members from their junior program, intent on making a significant impact in the tournament. He expressed his enthusiasm for what promises to be an exciting weekend of hockey.