Fulton Looks to Cultivate a Strong Core Group Post Hockey Nationals
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Synopsis
Craig Fulton, head coach of the Indian men's hockey team, expresses optimism about the depth and quality of talent showcased at the 15th Hockey India Senior Men National Championship 2025. With the Asia Cup 2025 on the horizon, a training camp is planned to form a robust core group.
Key Takeaways
- Craig Fulton sees great potential in the talent pool.
- Focus on specific roles rather than age in player selection.
- A training camp with 54 players will help form a core group.
- Defensive strength is a priority in scouting.
- Physicality and game intelligence are essential traits.
New Delhi, April 19 (NationPress) After the conclusion of the 15th Hockey India Senior Men National Championship 2025 in Jhansi, the head coach of the Indian men’s hockey team, Craig Fulton, expressed his positive outlook regarding the depth and quality of talent showcased during the event as the team gears up for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025.
Fulton, who closely observed the tournament, emphasized the intense competition witnessed during matches between leading teams. “When we pitted strength against strength, the games were incredibly close,” he remarked. “There’s good depth - particularly in goalkeeping and across the team - which was wonderful to see. It was also encouraging to identify players who hadn’t participated in the league before.”
Discussing regional performances, Fulton noted that while the champions Punjab excelled with a significant number of international players, the top four teams displayed a commendable balance and quality. “Certain regions were indeed stronger than others. Punjab, for example, distinguished itself with the most international players, giving them a competitive advantage. Nonetheless, there was an admirable balance of talent across the top four teams. Beyond that, however, the depth and overall quality did decline a bit.”
As a new core group is being established for the Asia Cup cycle, Fulton stressed that the focus is not on age but on selecting the right players for specific roles. “It’s not merely about injecting more youth - it’s about identifying the right players for the right positions,” he stated.
A training camp with 54 potential candidates is set to take place soon, from which a core group of 40 players will be chosen. “We’ve been discussing the importance of creating depth for a while now. The next 18 months are critical for assembling a squad with adequate bench strength,” Fulton elaborated.
The coach also shared insights into his scouting criteria. “We evaluated individuals, of course, but also their performance within their team’s tactical framework. The most significant attribute we assessed was defense - both one-on-one and group defense.”
Regarding positional gaps, Fulton acknowledged a need for enhancement in scoring field goals and managing various tactical situations. “We seek players who can effectively move the ball against both man-to-man and zonal defenses, press intelligently, and outlet under pressure,” he remarked.
Physicality and game intelligence were identified as essential traits. “Versatility isn’t the main priority - it’s more about athleticism, game awareness, and the capacity to swiftly adapt to new tactics,” Fulton noted.
With PR Sreejesh being the only retirement following the Paris Olympics, Fulton confirmed that the core group will largely remain unchanged, with the focus now on enhancing strategic depth to maintain performance through the Asia Cup and beyond.
