Craig Fulton was seated in the stands of the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium, observing the Indian players during a training session for the Hockey India League (HIL) franchise Team Gonasika. The chief coach of India also monitored Paul Revington, who was instructing the players as the head coach of Gonasika.

After the session concluded, Revington approached Fulton, greeting him with a handshake and an embrace before they exchanged friendly remarks. Their relationship spans four decades, originating from their junior playing days in South Africa.

“Craig and I are nearly the same age (Fulton is 50, Revington 51). We grew up competing against one another and briefly played together at the U-21 level. He continued his career at the senior level while I sustained an injury and transitioned into coaching. Throughout our hockey careers, we have followed similar trajectories,” remarked Revington, who served as the head coach for Great Britain and England until the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Having entered coaching at an early stage, Revington eventually became the head coach of South Africa, leading a team that included Fulton for several years, including during the 2004 Athens Olympics. Fulton, on the other hand, began full-time coaching after his retirement, starting at the club level before becoming Ireland’s chief coach and Belgium’s assistant coach, ultimately taking the reins of the Indian team.

“It is remarkable. Craig has achieved great success with Ireland, Belgium, and now India. Like all exceptional coaches, he has integrated various aspects of his own experiences and adapted them across different countries,” stated Revington.

In India, he has accurately assessed the hockey community and the playing style. He has identified the needs of India at the opportune moment and has approached this in his own distinctive and exceptional manner.

It is a common trend for former South African players to transition into coaching roles in other countries. Alongside Revington and Fulton, Greg Nicol serves as the coach for New Zealand. While competing at the elite level allows these individuals to occasionally encounter one another, it also places them in rival positions.

Fulton and Revington have clashed numerous times over the past few years, particularly during India's encounters with Great Britain, most notably in the quarter-finals of the Paris Olympics, where Harmanpreet Singh and his teammates delivered an outstanding performance. Despite being reduced to ten players for three quarters, India remained resilient and ultimately triumphed in the shootout.

“During the tour, it is strictly business. However, in an Olympic year, the atmosphere changes. There is a heightened sense of urgency because you only have one opportunity every four years. It is essential to perform, as another chance may not come. Therefore, the focus is intense and professional,” Fulton remarked.

“Nonetheless, we encounter each other on the circuit and engage in warm-up matches. The teams gain insights from one another, fostering a competitive spirit. Following that, it is refreshing to participate in this (HIL) environment, where the pressure is somewhat alleviated, allowing for open discussions. This aspect is quite beneficial,” he added.

Revington recalls the moment India secured victory in the quarter-finals in Paris, noting Fulton’s enthusiasm during that time.

“I have always held great respect for him, both as a player and a coach. When we find ourselves in opposing dugouts, our desire to win is paramount. In Paris, he performed admirably and ultimately earned a medal,” Revington stated, who also served as a coach in the 2016 HIL.

“His emotions were running high. For me, it was about managing the British team and helping them move forward after a significant disappointment. However, that is now behind us. Currently, we engage in more routine discussions.”

Cricket connection

South Africans are recognized for their engagement in various sports during their formative years, and Fulton and Revington exemplify this trend. In his leisure time, Fulton enjoys playing golf and often tees off with friends. Meanwhile, Revington is an avid viewer of Manchester United matches on television.

Both individuals share a passion for cricket, having participated in the sport during their youth. Notably, Fulton shared a hockey dressing room with Jonty Rhodes until Rhodes opted to pursue cricket, ultimately becoming a key player for the Proteas, particularly renowned for his fielding skills.

“I was part of the (South Africa) squad when he (Rhodes) joined in 1996. However, he had already committed to a contract with Cricket South Africa. We had hoped he would be available for the (1996 Atlanta) Olympics, but that was not feasible,” Fulton recalls.

“He attended training sessions. He was an exceptional player and a valuable teammate. Initially, he was included in the squad. He trained once or twice but could not continue due to his (cricket) contract. Nevertheless, he had a significant background in provincial hockey for Natal.”

Revington has also coached Jonathan Trott, who later represented England in cricket, and has played football and rugby alongside former Proteas opener Herschelle Gibbs.

“I coached Jonathan in hockey while he was in Cape Town, prior to his cricket career in England. He played cricket at school but was also an outstanding hockey player. I have known Jonathan for a long time, as our fathers played hockey together. He is a few years my junior,” Revington stated, expressing admiration for cricketers AB de Villiers and Kevin Pietersen.

“I have known Trott for quite a while. He has achieved remarkable success. He played for Western Province while I was coaching there. He balanced cricket in the summer with hockey in the winter. I also played football with Herschelle, who was an excellent rugby player but chose to focus on cricket at the provincial school level. He was exceptional and attracted interest from clubs like Tottenham and Liverpool.”

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