Jake Fulton: Legacy of Hockey and a New Dream for Ireland

Chennai, Dec 5 (PTI) - Jake Fulton, with hockey running deep in his veins, is following a path well-trodden by his parents, Craig and Natalie Fulton, both Olympians from South Africa. Yet, Jake's dream takes him to a different flag - Ireland's.

Craig, the current head coach of India's men's hockey team, made a mark representing South Africa at the 1996 and 2004 Olympics, while Natalie showcased her prowess at the 2002 World Cup and the 2004 Athens Games. Remarkably, they were the first married duo to don South Africa's colors at the same Olympic Games in 2004, a fact that resonates through Jake's early affinity for the sport, starting at just two years old.

"Hockey definitely came from my genes. I began playing young, absorbing the legacy from both my parents who dedicated their lives to the sport. It's had a profound impact on me. I love it," Jake shared with PTI, currently representing Ireland in the FIH Junior World Cup.

Despite idolizing his father, Jake's conversations with Craig, often over phone, are limited as he resides in Ireland.

Born in 2008, while Craig was assisting Ireland's men's team and playing for Pembroke Wanderers, Jake's course was set for Ireland from early childhood.

"I embraced Ireland from an early age, trained there, and couldn't switch to South Africa for training. So, my allegiance is with Ireland," Jake explained.

"Though I haven't planned extensively, I see myself continuing with Ireland, potentially reaching the Olympics. At 16, with school and everything, there's still lots to figure out," he candidly added.

Absent from his side during the tournament, Jake admits missing his father, busy in Malaysia with the Indian team for the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup.

"I miss him tremendously, not just as my father but as my role model. Scheduling is just unfortunate," Jake noted.

While discussions with his father often revolve around hockey, tips about Indian grounds were sparse, focusing instead on embracing the vibrant and passionate Indian crowds, as Jake discovered during the 2023 Asian Champions Trophy in Chennai, where India emerged victorious under Craig's leadership.

(Only the headline of this report may have been reworked by Editorji; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)