Fiji Hockey is actively seeking to strengthen its junior development pathway after facing challenges in retaining under-15 athletes due to a scheduling conflict with the peak athletics season. This period coincides with the visits of international hockey teams, posing a significant hurdle for the sport in preparing age-grade teams.
Development officer Fatima Mario highlighted that the overlap between overseas hockey tours and Fiji’s busiest time for athletics presents ongoing difficulties. She noted that this year, many promising young hockey players shifted their focus to track and field, proudly representing their districts such as Suva and Tailevu.
“A lot of our athletes, we lost them… not in a bad way, but they joined the athletics teams,” Mario explained, acknowledging the challenges while also expressing pride in the athletes’ achievements in athletics.
Despite these hurdles, Fiji Hockey has managed to retain a talented group of players for another season. With an eye towards the future, Mario indicated that the federation is looking to realign its preparation schedule to better accommodate the athletics calendar in 2026. This strategic adjustment aims to foster a more robust pool of young hockey talent in Fiji, highlighting the federation’s commitment to the development of the sport despite current challenges.