Fiji Hockey, Potential to Climb the World Rankings 

According to the latest International Hockey Federation (FIH) world rankings, Fiji’s men’s outdoor 11 aside field hockey team is currently ranked 57th, while the women’s team sits at 42nd in the world. In the outdoor five-a-side format, Fiji fares even better, the men’s team is ranked 15th, and the women’s team an impressive 13th globally.

These rankings reflect Fiji’s growing presence on the international stage, but also highlight the resilience of a sport that continues to thrive despite significant challenges. With rugby dominating the country’s sporting landscape and government funding priorities, hockey struggles to receive the same level of financial support and attention.

Across Fiji, the sport faces constraints in facilities and development funding, with only one artificial turf located in Suva. Teams from other districts such as Nadi, Lautoka, and Ba still play on grass, making it difficult to compete evenly with Suva-based teams who have regular access to turf. Yet, the game continues to be widely played across the country, driven by passion, community effort, and a loyal base of players.

Despite a small player pool, hockey in Fiji has shown tremendous potential. Its recent participation in the 2024 FIH Hockey 5s World Cup was a turning point, marking a strong performance on the global stage. Former Fiji coach and national representative Hector Smith told The Fiji Times in 2024 that Fiji’s showing proved it can compete with the best.

“I believe Fiji can be up in the top 20 in my opinion,” Smith said. “In the World Cup, we were tied for a quarter-final spot with Malaysia. We lost on a countback on goals — that’s an indication of progress because Malaysia used to run all over us before. They had to catch up in the last second to stay in the competition and draw with us — not beat us.”

Smith’s words underline the country’s growing competitiveness and potential for rapid improvement if given the right resources and support. He and other hockey advocates believe that more game time, exposure, financial support and structured development programs are key to taking the sport to the next level.

Events such as the Pacific Cup and Intercontinental Cup, held in the Pacific region, continue to provide valuable opportunities for Fijian players to compete against international teams. These tournaments serve as crucial preparation for larger events, including the Pacific Games, where Fiji continues to dominate.

At the 2023 Pacific Games, Fiji reaffirmed its regional supremacy by winning gold in both the men’s and women’s hockey categories, maintaining its status as the number one hockey nation in the Pacific.