Fiji v New Zealand Barbarians. 2014 (file image) Photo: Facebook / Oceania Hockey Federation
Fiji's preparation for the 2024 Oceania Pacific Cup hockey tournament at the Laucala Hockey Turf in Suva, starting Monday, has been a mixed bag.
The event, which has attracted seven countries and a total of 16 teams competing in the men's and women's competition, is making a return after a lapse of six years.
With the shorter, five-a-side version, there is excitement as the competing teams get into their final preparation before competition begins.
The Fiji men's hockey teams are racing against time to be ready for the tournament, as they round up the preparation of their two teams, the Fiji nationals and the Fiji Warriors.
Men's team work hard
Head coach Shaun Corrie said they hope to be ready for the challenge, as they have had some challenges, especially with players from the West who do not have the privilege of training on a synthetic turf like the one in Laucala Bay.
Work commitments keeps most of the players off the grass and turf too.
"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.
"The guys in the West, a lot of them work shift work, and they don't have a proper facility like this. The guys that were in the squads for Pacific Games and the World Cup just getting back after two years in training and it's been tough trying to get them back here, but we're moving along slowly.
"Hopefully we we can prepare well enough for the tournament."
Core said as a result they have had to select players they know will fit into the game plan and produce the results on the pitch.
"Because of the lack of time, we selected the core group of players from districts that we knew could fit the Fiji standards, to come and try also, so we giving them that opportunity," the former Fiji national rep said.
"So with two Fiji teams been given spots to play in the tournament, we're very happy and pleased that we're able to expose more players to this fold, and the new, young players, coming to the fold and getting exposed
to the standard Fiji training is also exciting for them.
"So we've brought in also some juniors and exposed them to give them a taste of what it's like training with the Fiji teams, and we were very pleased with the response that we got from the players."
Fiji women on track
It is a different story with the Fiji women, their coach Alison Southey said they are on track.
She said a lot of things have worked well for the teams and helped made their work easier.
Part of that is the support team she has been able to have, assisting in the preparations.
"Preparations have been very good," she 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 has had its challenges the last five weeks.
"But being where we are right now, with the assistance of a strength and conditioning coach as well as someone helping with skills and drills, I'm really positive and happy with where they are.
"We've been fortunate enough to have the different helps and I'm very grateful for what they bring to the table with all their experience and expertise."
Southey said she is confident the two Fiji teams will be ready to compete and do well against the other competitors.
"It's exciting. I look forward to the challenges that come with it," she said.
"I enjoy coaching the women, and I thank the support from home for all the athletes. This is what makes it possible for us as coaches to come and take them during the sessions, because it's hard work. I mean, if it was easy, every single person, every second person, would be a national rep.
"But because they have the support from home, it just makes it so much easier for us to be able to, you know, coach them and have them on the team. So a special mention to everyone back home, family, friends, employers who make it possible to allow the athletes to come and just focus on what they do best, which is play hockey and represent the country."
The Pacific Cup ran from 2008 through to 2018, starting as an 11 aside competition, which turned into a five-a-side competition in 2017.
Australia and New Zealand sent invitation teams namely the Australian Country Under-21 teams and New Zealand Barbarians and Maori Men's teams, President's and Maori Women's teams.
Teams competing this year
Men's Division
- Fiji Nationals
- Fiji Warriors
- Vanuatu
- Tonga
- Samoa
- PNG
- Solomon Islands
- New Zealand Fijians
Women's Division
- Fiji
- Fiji Warriors
- Vanuatu
- Tonga
- Samoa
- PNG
- Solomon Islands
- NZ Heritage Pacific.
The tournament will be held from 9-12 December.