“We will have 14 teams from across the country with the exception of Levuka. This is the biggest tournament in the past and it feels so good to have it back,” Fraser said.
Marist hockey club.
The Marist Hockey Club (MHC) is set to host the return of the Eastgate Memorial Hockey Open tournament, which is set for next weekend.
The tournament going into its 27th year honours the contribution of Reginald and Dorothy Eastgate.
Speaking to SUNsports yesterday, MHC president Paul Fraser said the long wait is over.
“The last time we had the tournament was before COVID-19,” he said.
“Now, we are set to return after a lapse of four years to host the most-awaited hockey tournament.”
Fraser added another factor that delayed the tournament was the subsequent facility renovations.
The 27th Eastgate Memorial tournament starts in the evening of Friday, September 27, and ends on Sunday, September 29.
As a highlight on the Fiji Hockey Federation calendar, this tournament is the only club-hosted event in Suva, drawing significant participation from talents across the region.
“We will have 14 teams from across the country with the exception of Levuka. This is the biggest tournament in the past and it feels so good to have it back,” Fraser said.
This year, the competition will feature eight men’s teams and five women’s teams, including the Australian Wanderers, providing an exciting international flair.
The men’s division will see clubs like Suva’s Stingers and Ventures along with visitors Nadi Stingers as they battle for the top prize. Marist is the defending women’s champions, facing formidable opponents in Ventures and Mates, alongside the Australian Wanderers, raising the stakes for all teams involved.
The host men’s team will look to stamp their mark as they have a blend of scholarship players and core members from the junior programme taking over the reins.
“It is exciting and we look forward to a thrilling tournament next weekend,” Fraser added.
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