What they say- behind every man’s success, there is a woman. Well, Julia Reid, the better half of India coach Graham Reid, has played a great role in calming the nerves of her husband and moreover the entire team during the ongoing FIH Odisha Men’s Hockey World Cup 2023 in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela.
Julia is off course the biggest support system of Graham. When the coach came to India back in 2019, Julia played a great role in helping her husband in settling into his important job. As a teacher, she also played a great role in honing the English communication skills of the Indian players.
Now, Julia, dressed in Indian colours, is playing a great role during the World Cup as she is cheering up her husband and the entire Indian team from the stands.
“I have been in India for nearly four years. I have been extending my cheer and support to the Indian team at the Birsa Munda stadium in Rourkela. Now I will go to Bhubaneswar to support my team at the Kalinga Stadium,” said Julia.
“Graham was a bit nervous at the start of the marquee event. However, with India starting well, he is a bit relaxed now. Graham and I got emotional after watching the jam-packed stadium in Rourkela. It was a fantastic experience to watch our team play before 20,000 odd audience and we both are pretty happy,” she said.
Recollecting her days as the English teacher of the Indian team, Julia said she is happy that the guys have crossed that little barrier.
“I used to practice a lot with the guys. Now I am so happy that all of them have improved a lot and speak English so well,” Julia said.
“I will be in Odisha throughout the World Cup to extend my support to Graham and the Indian team,” she signed off.