Calum Giles

Sport

Hockey

Nickname

Stiggi

Favourite quote

You don’t stop playing because you get old, you get old because you stop playing!

Biography

I started my hockey career at the age of five playing for OPCS in Portsmouth. I made my National League debut at the age of 18 playing for Havant Hockey Club in 1991 and my international debut at the age of 23 playing for England in 1995. I have played club hockey in England and the Netherlands.

I retired from international hockey in 2000 to pursue a coaching career and become a full-time player coach to Oxted. After several years I helped the club gain promotion to the National League for the first time in their history.

Following my time at Oxted I re-joined my childhood team Havant as player coach where in just two years I managed to take them back into the pinnacle of English hockey for the 2007/2008 season and managed to end the season fourth in the Men's Premier Division.

Who is your role model?

Tiger Woods

Who was your biggest influence?

 Russell Garcia

What is your proudest moment?

My first Olympic goal.

What is your top tip for young people wanting to participate in sport?

To be the best you have to make sacrifices and tough decisions, it’s the athletes who are prepared to do this that succeed.

What is your favourite music/band?

The Eels and Blink 182

What is your favourite food?

Mexican or a jacket potato with cheese and beans!

What is the best piece of advice you have been given?

You will be given lots of advice in life, the secret is to work out what advice to use and what advice to ignore.

International Achievements

• European Cup Bronze medal 1995 Dublin, Ireland
• European Cup top goal scorer 1995
• European Cup Bronze medal 1999 Padova, Italy

Club Achievements

• European Cup B Division Champions
• 2 x Premier League Champions
• South Premier B Division Champions
• South Premier A Division Champions
• National League South Champions
• National League Division 1 Champions