Transcript
HECTOR SMITH JUNIOR: I think we just really need to figure out ways of getting more analysis on our games, getting more technical [help] because other teams have guys who are cameramen up in the stand speaking to each other - something we haven't done yet. We're looking into that and also to try and figure out what other ways we can improve our skills because unfortunately we don't get that type of international level of games but hopefully we can try and input that back into our game back at home and get better.
VINNIE WYLIE: I know that last time there was no team from the Pacific that was able to go to [World Hockey League] Round 2 because of finance. I think Fiji won those tournaments and wasn't able to go - and then Papua New Guinea was the same - so that was a couple of years ago right?
HS: That's correct.
VW: So at least this time around, at least you've found the funding to get there but, as you say, it's an ongoing challenge?
HS: The only way we can improve ourselves is actually to participate in tournaments like this. Yes it's hard but without this type of experience we cannot really gauge where we are in the world and coming away from this tournament we definitely know that we need to work even harder. I think there is certainly technology that we might need to invest in to help assist, to analyse our games because I can see everybody is doing it and we still are yet to tap into that.
VW: So what is the next international sort of competition for Fiji - is there something in the Oceania or Pacific region that's coming up?
HS: There's a tournament - the World Cup qualifiers - that will be held in Sydney, which will be New Zealand, Australia and Vanuatu. That will be the next challenge that we would have. As for the World [Hockey League] Series, this actually is the last World Series that will be held. They're actually stopping it so this is like another way of qualifying. We'll be having the last World Series games going on and now it will be like the World Cup qualifiers but it will be against New Zealand, Australia and one other Pacific Island team.
VW: So that means even less games at the top level for a country like Fiji?
HS: Yes, unfortunately yes. Something that our management was thinking of was trying to see [if we could play more in] the Asian region because finance wise it would be something maybe to look at, going to have games in that particular area. The travelling would be much easier because the countries are close by and then see how it works out
that way. I think we just need more exposure in order to improve our hockey at home.
