Defending champions St John’s College, the under-19 boys’ hockey team from Cawaci, are determined to retain their title in this year’s Fiji Secondary School’s Hockey competition. The team began their campaign with a victory over Tilak High School and followed up with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against St Thomas High School in their second pool match.
Head coach Metuisela Masi expressed his contentment with the team’s effort against St Thomas, noting that it was a challenging match. “The match was great; St Thomas gave us a good run, but we are happy with the result,” Masi remarked.
He pointed out the challenges of transitioning from training on grass to playing on turf. “Preparations leading into the competition were okay, but training on grass and on turf are two different things. We are adjusting to the turf and enjoying it,” he said.
Masi emphasized the importance of learning from their mistakes and improving as they prepare for their next matches. “We will be working on our mistakes and looking to improve in our upcoming matches. Other than that, the boys are doing well,” he added.
Despite challenges related to many players being new to the sport, Masi remains hopeful about their chances in the competition. With only four teams in the U19 category, St John’s College is optimistic about defending their title.
Masi thanked the parents, supporters, and teachers of the college in Suva for their steadfast support throughout the tournament, which is set to conclude tomorrow at the National Hockey Centre in Suva.