Local soccer players are set to head to Fiji to test themselves against the island nation’s best youngsters in the country’s Ultimate Soccer Cup
The cup has been held for 14 years and was developed by the Fiji Football Association with the intention of helping develop Fiji players.
The Fiji players are coached throughout the year before taking on Australian and New Zealand players to determine their skill level.
Selectors do not choose specific teams, instead they select age groups and players from across the country who can come together to create a team and play in several tournaments.
The local players who will be travelling to Fiji next month for the tournament include Ethan Harleigh, Angus Troebinger, Samuel Swiggs, Liam Badsese, Bailey Vorwerk, Tyge Leecher and Hamish Harleigh.
The under 19 boys will be playing against the Fijian under 20s side which has recently returned from the under 20 FIFA World Cup in Argentina.
The under 15 girls side will face Fiji’s under 16s side which finished second in Oceania recently and are likely to be playing in the World Cup next year.
The senior side will play Fiji’s under 19 side which will contest next year’s FIFA under 19 World Cup.
Ultimate Fiji Soccer Cup director Bruce Tilt, who visited Mount Gambier this week to present playing kits to the locals selected, said the players selected would have an immersive experience.
“Fiji football is on a high at the moment and we are looking forward to taking these boys and girls over and to experience not just their culture and how they live but also take on the Fiji kids and see how they perform in their backyard,” he said.
Tilt said the improvement in Fiji’s soccer standard was remarkable thanks to the program.
“There is a very strong side now over there, they get better and better every year,” he said.
“Fourteen years ago they did not have much coaching and were pretty ordinary and very individualistic, now they’re learning about teamwork and combinations.”
One of the challenges the Australian players face is they will not play as a team until they are in Fiji, meaning they have to adapt quickly and gel with their new teammates.
The Australian players will be coached by coaches involved with Matildas programs as well as A-League club Sydney FC.
“These coaches are trying their best to impart their knowledge on the kids over a week so when they come back to Australia they can share what they learnt with their teammates, so we certainly believe it benefits everyone involved,” Tilt said.
“You could be playing in a stadium then the back of a school, which I think is a great challenge for the young kids to realise that you have to work hard and not everything is given on a plate to them.
“Football is what it’s all about, I’m there to help the Fijians get better but I think it’s good for these kids to see Fijians in their natural environment and how they live.”
Tilt also believes the experience helps the Australian kids to get a better understanding of how Fijians live and appreciate that.
“The learning experience for the Australian kids is the Fijians are very happy, they love their lifestyle and it rubs off on the Australian kids,” he said.
They are also taking an over 30 women’s side to Fiji with hopes of creating more roles for women in Fiji in coaching and administration and boost the numbers involved in the women’s game.
