One more Fulton: Jake, son of India coach Craig, embarks on hockey journey with Ireland at Junior World Cup
After the win against New Zealand on Thursday, the Indian men’s hockey team is on track to make the final of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2025, which is taking place in Ipoh, Malaysia. As head coach Craig Fulton prepares for the last round-robin encounter against Canada, he will also keenly follow the Junior World Cup taking place in Madurai.
Craig’s son, Jake Fulton, made his World Cup debut with the Ireland junior team when it faced Canada in its opening encounter of the tournament. “It was a mad experience playing here. The crowd was very loud, and had lots of passion. I loved every second of it,” Jake said post-match.
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This is Jake’s first time playing in India, although he had travelled to Tamil Nadu when his father coached India at the Asian Champions Trophy 2023 in Chennai. “A lot of spice, but I like it. I can stick with it,” he said with an outspread smile, about adjusting to the food in the area.
His parents were international players in field hockey, and it was never a doubt that Jake was going to tread the same path. Craig represented South Africa at the 1996 and 2004 Summer Olympics before his sojourn as coach. Jake’s mother, Natalie, also represented the Ama Stokke Stokke and was part of the squad for the 2002 World Cup and the 2004 Athens Olympics. Craig and Natalie were the first married couple to represent South Africa at the same Olympic Games (2004).
Jake was born in 2008, when Craig was the assistant coach of the Irish men’s senior team, alongside his role as a player-coach for Irish Men’s Hockey League side Pembroke Wanderers, which Jake also represents. Despite both parents hailing from the Rainbow Nation, he represents the nation of his birth. “It was a big decision, but I mainly grew up in Ireland and played there all my life. So, there’s no reason for me not to play there,” the Ireland number ‘8’ said.
The extended distance and different time zones haven’t stopped Craig and Natalie from eagerly inquiring about Jake’s day. “There are a lot of phone calls, but I love it. Coming from a hockey family, it’s mostly about hockey, how to play, this and that,” he says.
At 16, Jake is quite young to be playing at Junior World Cup. His only previous experience of playing at a big event was when he won the EuroHockey U18 Championship II 2025 in Alanya, Turkiye, in July.
“There is a big step up to be honest between 16 and 21. There is a big age difference, but if you’re good enough, you can play here,” the Irish player said.
In his first game at the global tournament in Madurai, Fulton Jr. proved to be crucial for his side, playing a part in two goals. A smart, quick flick after receiving the ball inside the striking circle helped captain Louis Rowe reverse-hit one into the roof of the net. He also cleverly shielded the ball away from the incoming defender on the left-hand side, allowing Milo Thompson to run into the circle and hit Ireland’s fourth goal.
More such performances through the tournament and he could overtake Craig to be the most adored Fulton in this part of the country.
Published on Nov 28, 2025