Fiji Prepares for Return of Oceania Pacific Cup Hockey Tournament

The Fiji national hockey teams are gearing up for the return of the Oceania Pacific Cup, a tournament that has been absent from the region’s sporting calendar for six years. The event is expected to attract seven countries and 16 teams competing in both men’s and women’s divisions.

Fiji Men’s Hockey Team Face Mixed Bag of Preparation

Head coach Shaun Corrie described the team’s preparation as a “mixed bag,” citing challenges such as players from the West who do not have access to synthetic turf facilities like Laucala Bay, where the tournament will be held. Work commitments also keep many players off the grass and turf.

“Preparation has been tough, with the boys coming back from the World Cup and getting back into their normal daily lives,” Corrie said. “The boys out in the West are without a turf and we have had a delayed season. We had a delayed season, so trying to get everybody back into the groove and trying out for fives has been tough for us.”

Despite these challenges, Corrie expressed optimism about the team’s chances, stating that they will select players who can fit into their game plan and produce results on the pitch.

Fiji Women’s Hockey Team on Track

Coach Alison Southey reported that her team is “on track” with preparations, citing a strong support team and successful training sessions. The women have also benefited from having players who come out of the Hockey League season, which has helped to ease their transition into national requirements.

“Preparations have been very good,” Southey said. “We’ve had the women come out of the Hockey League season as well as the last Marist tournament. And you know, having them at that certain level and moving into national requirements has had its challenges the last five weeks.”

Teams Competing in the Tournament

The Oceania Pacific Cup will feature seven countries competing in both men’s and women’s divisions. The teams competing this year include Fiji Nationals, Fiji Warriors, Vanuatu, Tonga, Samoa, PNG, Solomon Islands, New Zealand Fijians, and NZ Heritage Pacific.

Tournament Details

The tournament will take place from 9-12 December, providing a thrilling opportunity for the participating teams to showcase their skills and compete at the highest level.

Conclusion

Fiji’s national hockey teams are gearing up for the return of the Oceania Pacific Cup, a tournament that promises to be an exciting and competitive event. Despite facing challenges in preparation, both the men’s and women’s teams are optimistic about their chances of success, with Fiji Warriors looking forward to defending their title.