Tonga

LATEST NEWS UPDATE Oct - Dec 2021

COVID Stops All Sporting Activities. Tonga has been free of the virus until the 29th Oct and so all hockey activities have been able to go ahead freely but unfortunately the lifting of travel restrictions saw their first case arrive and so the Government has acted swiftly to lock the nation down. OHF hopes that our hockey community takes all the appropriate precautions to keep safe.  

Watch here for more updates 

HISTORY & GOVERNANCE 

Hockey was originally introduced to Tonga by the King in the late 1990s. It was designated as a sport for girls and the sport was administered and competitions delivered by the Free Wesley Church out of Nuku'alofa, Tongatapu. 

The National Women's Team played their first international series against Fiji Women in 2002 in Suva and have continued to feature in Oceania regional events since that time. 

Hiko Fungavaka, was employed by Oceania Hockey Federation, as a full time development officer in 2014 and the growth in participation programs and competitions has been dramatic. In 2014 a new constitution was adopted  and the Tongan Hockey Federation began administering its own organisation. An office was established at the Tongan Olympic Committee (TASASNOC) Headquarters.  The National Men's team made its first appearance in Fiji in 2012 and competed in their first Pacific Games in 2015. 

Fortunately the Tongan Govt closed the borders early in 2020 and so COVID has not stopped any activity until Nov 2021.

2021  THF Executive 

President : Mrs Kinia Onivalo   Email: onivalotuiileila@gmail.com

 President Kinia presented the Girls SS Championship Cup to Tailulu College Captain in Oct 2021

 Development Officer : Mr. Hiko Fungavaka  Email: fungavakaa1@gmail.com

PARTICIPATION PROGRAMS 2021 - Hiko is well supported by an enthusiastic group of volunteers, mainly national players who are giving back.  

• School Visit Program   Jan- Dec. Kindergarton and Primary schools are the focus for the first 5 months of the year. 10 primary schools were involved in 2021. From August to late October there has been a focus on Secondary Schools culminating in the first National Secondary School competition where 6 schools took part, in both girls and boys divisions with Tailulu College winning the Girls championship and Liahona HS winning the boys. By the start of November 2021 13,040 school participants have had a hockey opportunity this year which is outstanding.  
• Para Hockey - The development team have worked closely this year with Ngele'ia Inclusive School to provide children with a disability a hockey experience. Modified equipment is used to make moving the ball easier and safer.

• Kau Mai Village Program - This is a program run in conjunction with the Government where hockey is taken out to outreach villages providing them with an introduction to sport, increasing physical activity, health outcomes and social interaction.
• Fiefia Adult Social Friday Nights - This a 6-8 week Friday night program run for adults and involves 5 sports. Corporate teams move around each sport and play another team. Great social activity. 
• Festival Days - THF takes part in celebrating Womens Day ( March), Olympic Day ( June), Childrens Day ( Nov) Disability Day ( Dec)   

COMPETITIONS

National  & Club 

The main format used is Hockey5s for all adult and secondary school competitions. 

International 

Tonga Men and Women  compete in :

Oceania Intercontinental Hockey 5s

Youth Olympic Games Qualifiers

Pacific Games 2003, 2007, 2015 and preparing for 2023 in  Honiara SI.