AN international hockey player was given the honour of officially unveiling a school’s new all-weather pitch.

Jack Waller, captain of the Great Britain under 21 hockey team, cut the ribbon at a ceremony to open the new astroturf pitch at Durham High School For Girls on Saturday.

The new artificial pitch was immediately put into action as the home team took on under-12 and under-13 teams from Dame Allan’s school in Newcastle.

Paula Sunderland, director of sport at Durham High School For Girls, said: “It is wonderful to see this fantastic facility now at the school and I know the girls are really relishing this new opportunity to play on a proper hockey pitch during PE lessons and lunchtimes.”

Alongside the Senior girls, in Junior House all girls from Year Three are now taught hockey with Years Five and Six taking part in competitions.

Jo Coxon, Head of Junior PE said. “The impact it has made on the hockey skills of the Junior girls in just the first eight weeks of term has been huge and the continued progress is really exciting.”