Defending champion St John’s College is focusing on retaining their title in this year’s Fiji Secondary Schools Hockey competition. The under-19 team demonstrated their determination by winning their opening match against Tilak High School and securing a 1-1 draw against St Thomas High School in their second pool match.
Head coach Metuisela Masi expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance against St Thomas, noting the match was a challenging one. “The match was great; St Thomas gave us a good run, but we are happy with the result,” Masi stated.
He pointed out the challenges of transitioning from grass to turf, emphasizing that the team’s preparation had been adequate, but training conditions are quite different. “We are getting used to the turf and enjoying it,” he added.
Masi highlighted the team’s commitment to learning from their mistakes as they prepare for upcoming matches. “We will be working on our mistakes and improving in our next matches,” he remarked, while also reassuring that the boys are performing well.
Despite the challenges posed by having many novice players, he remains optimistic about their chances in the tournament. With only four teams in the U19 category, St John’s College is hopeful of claiming the title again.
Masi also expressed gratitude to the parents, supporters, and teachers at the college in Suva for their continued support. The tournament is set to conclude tomorrow at the National Hockey Centre in Suva.