The Australia Football League (AFL) Fiji Tribe team has set their sights in winning the Pacific Cup in Brisbane, Australia, from November 14 to 24.

This was revealed by head coach Alipate Navuso during the presentation of their training kits from their sponsors yesterday.

“It’s been seven weeks of solid training and we’ve been training everyday till Saturday as Sunday is a rest day,” he said.

“The structure of the team is that we’re made up of eight experienced players who have represented Fiji in the 2011, 2014 and 2017 world cups.”

Navuso said there are nine players that were groomed in the AFL Fiji pathway programmes.

“That includes the Under-14, 15 and 17 and now these players have made it to the senior team for the first time,” he said.

“We have 11 new players that were introduced to the sport recently and will represent Fiji for the first time.”

Navuso said the team often finds it difficult to recruit sponsors as AFL is regarded as a minor sport in the country.

“Flame Tree came on board to sponsor us which we are grateful for,” he said.

“The skillset that the eight experienced players and the nine players possess is our greatest strength.”

Navuso said they have been focused on the fundamental skills of the AFL and their fitness level.

“The other eleven players are underdogs, and they are there to prove themselves on the field,” he said.

“I’m impressed with the players’ commitment as there’s been no absenteeism in the seven weeks of training.”

Navuso acknowledged the sponsors and the families of the players that supported them in their preparation.

“We’ve been forking money out of our own pockets and western players paid their own fares when they travelled down to Suva to train on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday,” he said.

“They camped here in Suva and paid for their food as well.”

Navuso was grateful for the players’ sacrifice in their AFL Pacific Cup preparation.

Feedback: ioane.asioli@fijisun.com.fj