New Coach for India Junior Men's Hockey Team

May 14, 2026, 16:08
EuropeSports

Introduction

Hockey India has a new chief coach for the junior men's team. His name is Frederic Soyez. He replaces PR Sreejesh.

Main Body

PR Sreejesh was the coach in 2025. His team won a bronze medal in 2026. Sreejesh is unhappy. He says the team wants foreign coaches and not Indian coaches. Hockey India says this is not true. They say they chose the best person for the job. They offered Sreejesh a different job, but he said no. Frederic Soyez is from France. He has thirty years of experience. He coached the teams of Spain and France. President Dilip Tirkey says Soyez will help the team play better.

Conclusion

Frederic Soyez is now the chief coach. PR Sreejesh still disagrees with the federation's rules.

Learning

🌍 Where are they from?

Look at how the text describes people and their origins. This is the easiest way to start talking about yourself in A2 English.

Pattern: [Person] is from [Place]

  • Frederic Soyez is from France.

Pattern: [Person] has [Number] years of experience

  • He has thirty years of experience.

πŸ› οΈ Action Words (Past vs. Present)

Notice how the story moves from what happened to what is happening now:

The Past (Finished)

  • Was β†’ PR Sreejesh was the coach.
  • Won β†’ His team won a bronze medal.
  • Offered β†’ They offered Sreejesh a different job.

The Present (Now)

  • Is β†’ Frederic Soyez is now the chief coach.
  • Says β†’ He says the team wants foreign coaches.

Quick Tip: When you see -ed (like offered), it usually means the action is over. When you see -s (like says), it is happening or true right now.

Vocabulary Learning

coach (n.)
A person who trains athletes or a team.
Example:The coach gives the team a practice plan.
team (n.)
A group of people who work together or play a sport.
Example:The team won the championship.
chief (n.)
The main or leading person in a group.
Example:The chief coach is responsible for all training.
new (adj.)
Not old; recently created or started.
Example:He is the new coach for the junior team.
junior (adj.)
A younger or less experienced person in a group.
Example:The junior men’s team plays in the second division.
hockey (n.)
A sport played on a field or ice with sticks and a ball or puck.
Example:Hockey is popular in many countries.
has (v.)
To own or possess something.
Example:She has a lot of experience in coaching.
name (n.)
The word or words by which a person or thing is known.
Example:His name is Frederic Soyez.
replaces (v.)
To take the place of someone else.
Example:He replaces the former coach.
won (v.)
To be victorious in a competition.
Example:The team won a bronze medal.
bronze (adj.)
A color and a medal given for third place.
Example:They received a bronze medal for their performance.
medal (n.)
A small award given for winning or achieving something.
Example:She earned a medal for her score.
unhappy (adj.)
Not feeling happy or satisfied.
Example:He was unhappy with the decision.
says (v.)
To speak or express something in words.
Example:The coach says the team needs more practice.
foreign (adj.)
Coming from another country.
Example:They want foreign coaches for better techniques.
coaches (n.)
People who train athletes or teams.
Example:The club hires experienced coaches.
not (adv.)
Used to negate a statement.
Example:They do not want Indian coaches.
Indian (adj.)
Relating to India.
Example:Indian players are known for their skill.
true (adj.)
In accordance with facts or reality.
Example:The statement is not true.
chose (v.)
Selected or decided on something.
Example:They chose the best person for the job.
best (adj.)
Of the highest quality or most suitable.
Example:She is the best player on the team.
person (n.)
An individual human being.
Example:He is a good person to coach.
job (n.)
A paid position or work.
Example:She has a new job as a coach.
offered (v.)
Presented or suggested for acceptance.
Example:They offered him a different job.
different (adj.)
Not the same as another.
Example:He accepted a different position.
said (v.)
Expressed something in words.
Example:He said no to the offer.
from (prep.)
Indicating origin or source.
Example:She is from France.
France (n.)
A country in Europe.
Example:France has many famous athletes.
thirty (adj.)
The number 30.
Example:He has thirty years of experience.
years (n.)
Units of time, each lasting 365 days.
Example:She worked for twenty years.
experience (n.)
Knowledge or skill gained through practice.
Example:Experience helps improve performance.
coached (v.)
Trained or instructed athletes.
Example:He coached the teams of Spain and France.
teams (n.)
Groups of players in a sport.
Example:The teams compete in the league.
Spain (n.)
A country in Europe.
Example:Spain has a strong hockey program.
President (n.)
The elected head of a country or organization.
Example:The President gave a speech.
help (v.)
To assist or support.
Example:He will help the team play better.
play (v.)
To participate in a sport or game.
Example:They play every Saturday.
better (adj.)
Of higher quality or improved.
Example:She wants to play better next season.
still (adv.)
Even after a change or in the same state.
Example:He still disagrees with the rules.
disagrees (v.)
Does not agree or hold the same opinion.
Example:She disagrees with the decision.
federation (n.)
An organization of groups or clubs.
Example:The federation sets the rules for the sport.
rules (n.)
Guidelines or regulations.
Example:The team follows the rules during the game.