Calum Giles

Calum Giles is a dynamic and inspiring high performance speaker, currently serving as Head of Hockey and Master in Charge of Golf at Worth School. A double Olympian and one of Britain’s most prolific goal scorers in field hockey, Calum brings a rare blend of elite-level experience, coaching expertise, and neurodivergent insight to his work. His passion lies in unlocking human potential—whether on the pitch, in the classroom, or on stage. His speaking engagements span topics such as the Olympic Games, elite sport, coaching high-performing teams, ADHD, and neurodiversity. What sets Calum apart is his deep understanding of high performance not just as physical excellence, but as a mindset that can be taught, nurtured, and sustained—particularly within teams and individuals who think differently.

Calum’s early career was marked by a rapid rise through the ranks of British field hockey. He made his senior international debut in 1995 in New Delhi and went on to represent Great Britain at both the Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. Along the way, he earned 143 international caps and scored 110 goals, retiring as Britain’s all-time leading goal scorer at the time. His accolades include the Golden Stick Award—becoming the first British player to win it in a major tournament—and medals in multiple European Cups and Champions Trophy events. As a player-coach and later a director of coaching at various clubs, he developed a sharp tactical brain and a strong belief in the power of adaptive coaching styles, which would lay the groundwork for his future leadership roles.

In recent years, Calum has transitioned seamlessly into coaching and leadership. He founded Stickwise, a company dedicated to youth hockey development, and has held key coaching roles including 1st Team Head Coach at Blackheath & Old Elthamians, Hockey Professional at Eltham College, and director-level positions at Kingston Grammar School and Teddington Hockey Club. His success in nurturing young talent and leading high-performing teams is widely recognised across the sporting and educational sectors. His innovative work with neurodivergent athletes and his championing of inclusive coaching strategies have made him a sought-after voice in conversations around performance, mental health, and diversity in sport.

Calum’s keynote talks bring together lessons from the Olympic stage, the tactical world of elite sport, and the often-misunderstood experiences of living with ADHD and embracing neurodiversity. His insights are both deeply personal and universally applicable—emphasising resilience, focus, adaptability, and the importance of nurturing different minds for high performance. Whether addressing corporate leaders, educators, or sports teams, Calum leaves audiences with practical tools, powerful stories, and a renewed understanding of what high performance really means. He is hired not just for his experience, but for his ability to shift perspectives, inspire action, and deliver meaningful change.