Friendship, coaching rivalry and cricket connections
Hindustan Times Thane|January 09, 2025
Sitting in the stands of the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium, Craig Fulton was observing the Indian players in a training session of Hockey India League (HIL) franchise Team Gonasika.
Sandip Sikdar

ROURKELA: The India chief coach also kept an eye on Paul Revington as the Gonasika head coach gave instructions to the players.

Following the session, Revington waved and walked up to Fulton, both shaking hands and embracing before exchanging pleasantries. The association between the two South African coaches go back to four decades, from their junior playing days.

"Craig and I are pretty much the same age (Fulton is 50, Revington 51). We grew up playing against each other and briefly played together at U-21 level. He continued playing at the senior level. I got injured and went into coaching. Most of our life, in terms of hockey, has been on similar paths," said Revington, who was head coach of Great Britain and England till the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Since Revington moved into coaching quite early, he went on to become the South Africa head coach, handling the team that included Fulton for years, including at the 2004 Athens Olympics. Fulton took up full-time coaching after retirement, first at club level, then as Ireland's chief coach and Belgium's assistant coach before taking over India. "It is amazing. Craig's done exceptionally well with Ireland, Belgium and now with India. Like all good coaches, he's taken different parts of his own journey and pieced it together in different countries," said Revington. "Here in India, he's read the hockey community and the playing style correctly. He's looked at what India needed at the right time. He's done that in his own unique and special way."

It is common for former South Africa players to move to other countries for coaching. Besides Revington and Fulton, there is Greg Nicol, who is New Zealand coach. Though being in the elite circuit means the compatriots get to meet each other occasionally, it puts them in opposite camps.

Esta historia es de la edición January 09, 2025 de Hindustan Times Thane.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición January 09, 2025 de Hindustan Times Thane.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE HINDUSTAN TIMES THANEVer todo
Hindustan Times Thane

A positive team culture rests on respect, equality

CCI's \"guidelines\" on player conduct during tours is not a polite suggestion but a sharp warning. In one bold stroke, it has downsized the inflated egos of top stars.

time-read
3 minutos  |
January 24, 2025
Hindustan Times Thane

Trump Tells Davos: Make Your Products in the US or Pay Tariffs

President Donald Trump used an address on Thursday to the World Economic Forum to promise global elites lower taxes if they bring manufacturing to the US and threatened to impose tariffs if they don't.

time-read
2 minutos  |
January 24, 2025
Hindustan Times Thane

CCPA Issues Notices to Ola, Uber on Differential Pricing

The Notices to the Ride-Hailing Platforms Came After Consumer Complaints and Viral Social Media Posts

time-read
1 min  |
January 24, 2025
Hindustan Times Thane

Abhishek's attack mode sets him apart

At a time when six-hitting has ceased to evoke the spectacular anymore, Abhishek Sharma's bellicose innings at Eden Gardens on Wednesday offers a fresh perspective to the nouveau concept of batters 'expressing' themselves.

time-read
2 minutos  |
January 24, 2025
Hindustan Times Thane

Netaji's legacy inspiration for achieving Viksit Bharat: Modi

Unity among people is as significant in pursuit of \"Viksit Bharat\" (developed India) today, as it was during the fight for \"Swaraj\" (self-rule) during the freedom struggle, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday, as he cautioned people to stay vigilant against those seeking to weaken the country and break its unity.

time-read
4 minutos  |
January 24, 2025
Hindustan Times Thane

Swinging Keys unlocks first Aus Open final spot, faces Sabalenka

Aggressive American beats in-form Swiatek 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 (10-8) in an epic semi-final in which she kept at it

time-read
3 minutos  |
January 24, 2025
Hindustan Times Thane

Principals and Teachers Oppose State Board's Copy-Free Policy

In a move aimed at ensuring transparency during class 10 and 12 board exams, the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education has decided to appoint external staff, including examination centre directors and supervisors, for schools serving as examination centres for their own students.

time-read
1 min  |
January 24, 2025
Hindustan Times Thane

Razing of 34 illegal buildings in Vasai begins

Residents say they have nowhere to go; heavy police presence deployed in area

time-read
3 minutos  |
January 24, 2025
Hindustan Times Thane

Brand Marketing Stunts Create Noise But Little Else

In Pursuit of a Creative to Go Viral, Brands Resort to All Kinds of Gimmicks. In the Bargain, Brands Can Plunge from the Sublime to the Ridiculous

time-read
3 minutos  |
January 24, 2025
Hindustan Times Thane

Controversial social media bill gets parl nod

Pakistan's lower house of parliament on Thursday passed a controversial bill that will give the government sweeping controls on social media, including sending users to prison for spreading disinformation.

time-read
1 min  |
January 24, 2025