A FORMER Olympic hockey player who has turned to coaching showed off his skills on a school's new all-weather pitch.

Great Britain and England star Callum Giles, who visited Barnard Castle School, was at the centre of a rules controversy before he retired because of his expertise as a penalty corner specialist.

The laws of the game were changed after he was repeatedly brought on as substitute in high-profile matches, such as the Sydney Olympic tournament, to score after a corner was awarded.

Now player-coach for Oxstead Hockey Club, in Surrey, Mr Giles is on a two-day tour of the North-East.

At Barnard Castle School he trained five and six-year-olds from the prep school and from Startforth Primary School yesterday morning before leading a session with senior pupils.

The girls first team later enjoyed a 4-1 win over Darlington's Queen Elizabeth College.

Girls games teacher Alison Armstrong said: "It was fantastic. We have never had an international hockey player here before. It gave the pupils a sense of the standard of hockey that is expected at international level.