After conquering the Pacific, Fiji’s national women’s hockey team has turned its focus on the 2016 Olympics qualifiers in New Zealand in October.
Coach Alison Southey said the team would resume training next week.
“We need to do more work on fitness, skills and the basics.”
Southey said improved levels of fitness would be the key when facing professional teams such as Australia and New Zealand in the Pacific Cup, which doubles up as the region’s Olympic qualifiers.
“It will be very difficult because Australia and New Zealand are above our league. Their players are paid to train. They are professionals while for our players the game is a hobby. They are not paid athletes,” she said.
Southey was captain of the national women’s hockey team when it won gold in Suva during the 2003 Pacific Games.
According to her, for Fiji to be able to match the likes of Australia and New Zealand in future, local players needed better training opportunities.
“Harder competition and more opportunities for training are needed,” she said.
The Catherine Thaggard captained side was hosted for lunch in Suva yesterday by accounting firm Aliz Pacific. Managing Partner of Aliz Pacific Dr. Nur Bano Ali said, “It’s a super proud occasion. The ladies worked hard and they pooled own resources. Our firm is truly proud of the girls and the coach”. Southey works for Aliz Pacific as its Practice Manager.
The 2016 Olympics will be held in Rio, Brazil.
