The Marist Hockey Club is preparing to host the much-anticipated return of the Eastgate Memorial Hockey Open tournament, scheduled for next weekend. Now in its 27th year, the tournament pays tribute to the contributions of Reginald and Dorothy Eastgate.
In an interview, MHC president Paul Fraser shared that the long-awaited event is finally happening. “The last time we held the tournament was before the COVID-19 pandemic,” he noted. “We are excited to be back after a four-year hiatus to present this highly awaited hockey tournament.”
Fraser mentioned that renovations to facilities also contributed to the delay of the tournament. The 27th Eastgate Memorial tournament will kick off on the evening of Friday, September 27, and conclude on Sunday, September 29. This event is a key highlight on the Fiji Hockey Federation’s calendar and is the only club-hosted tournament in Suva, attracting talented players from across the region.
“We will have 14 teams from around the country, except for Levuka. This is the largest tournament we have seen, and it feels great to have it back,” Fraser expressed. This year, the competition will feature eight men’s teams and five women’s teams, including the Australian Wanderers, adding an exciting international dimension.
In the men’s division, clubs like Suva’s Stingers and Ventures will compete alongside the visiting Nadi Stingers for the top prize. Marist, the defending champions in the women’s category, will face strong competition from Ventures, Mates, and the Australian Wanderers, raising the stakes for all teams.
The host men’s team aims to make an impact with a mix of scholarship players and members from their junior program stepping up. “It is an exciting time, and we anticipate a thrilling tournament next weekend,” Fraser concluded.