LEVUKA Public School’s Under-19 girls’ hockey team is determined to make its mark at this year’s Fiji Secondary Schools Hockey Championship.
Head coach Simon Vidi saying the side’s main goal is to return to Levuka with something for the school.
Vidi said preparations for the tournament were not ideal, with issues at the school initially putting the team’s participation in doubt. However, an agreement with the school principal cleared the way for the girls to compete.
“We started preparing about a month before the tournament,” Vidi said.
The school has a long association with the national secondary school’s hockey competition, having participated since its early years.
Levuka Public also competed in last year’s Fiji Secondary Schools Hockey Championship, which was hosted in Levuka, although the team did not reach the final.
This year, Vidi said the commitment from the players improved as the tournament approached.
“We started with a small group. Last month, we started getting people coming in, so preparation was good,” he said.
The team suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to St Joseph’s on the opening day, but Vidi said the girls responded positively after a team discussion at camp.
“There’s a big improvement from Day One until today (Thursday). We will improve on the way before the final stages,” he said.
He urged the team’s supporters, particularly former students and the wider Ovalau community living in Lautoka, to get behind the players at Nadovu Park.
“Do come down to support the team,” Vidi said.
“All the Ovalau people out there, make your way down to Lautoka, Nadovu Park. We’ll be waiting.”
Levuka Public School is represented across the competition, with teams in the Under-16 girls’ side as well as an Under-19 boys and girls categories.
Sally Naucukidi (left) in control for Levuka Public School against Tilak High School in the Fiji Secondary Schools Hockey Tournament at Nadovu ground, Lautoka. Picture: BALJEET SINGH
Adi Tui Kubukawa (left) in control for Levuka Public School against Tilak High School in the Fiji Secondary Schools Hockey Tournament at Nadovu ground, Lautoka. Picture: BALJEET SINGH
