Fiji’s national junior tennis team is in high spirits as they conclude their training in Suva before heading to Vanuatu for the West Pacific Regional Qualifiers Championship next month.
The 22-member contingent including a manager and two coaches, will depart for Port Vila next week to compete against top players from the host country Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, and Papua New Guinea. They will vie for spots in the West Pacific squad that will represent the region at the Pacific Oceania Junior Championship (POJC) in July.
Team coach Andrew Mailtorok shares his thoughts on the upcoming tournament, expressing hopes of securing at least two players in each category for U14 and U16 boys and girls, and for the U12 category, which is a team event, to make it to the POJC.
The traveling squad comprises a mix of experienced players, with at least four having previously competed in the West Pacific. The tournament, Mailtorok says also presents an opportunity for the players to experience top-level competition and opens pathways for scholarships that allow them to continue playing tennis while pursuing further studies.
The POJC is scheduled for 10-19 July in Lautoka, where the West Pacific team will compete against teams from the North Pacific and East Pacific.
The East Pacific concluded their regional qualifiers in Apia, Samoa today, while the North Pacific qualifiers will take place next week in Guam.
Fiji National Junior Team
Head Coach: Andrew Mailtorok
Assistant Coach: Sumit Lal
Team Manager: Noelani Politini
U12
Girls – Alex Chand, Tabitha Speed, Davina Mailtorok, Sala
Boys – Netani Drauna, Liam O’Donnelle, Zaraan Singh, George Draunidalo
U14
Girls – Niconia Wivou, Malia Bossley, Elizabeth Qaqaturaga
Boys – Uraia Biauniceva, Aryan Lal, Rezwan Khan, Frank Sun
U16
Girls – Josephine Grace, Sina Izumi
Boys – Deevansh Singh, Roko Siale Draunidalo, Bing Low, Joon Jung, Vignesh Dass
Photo: Suva Tennis
