FIVE-TIME Olympic gold medallist Sir Steve Redgrave put Yarm School rowers through their paces with a coaching masterclass.

The legendary athlete shared his wisdom during a two-hour coaching session on the River Tees, before attending a special evening at the Princess Alexandra Auditorium to talk about his career and the highs and lows that come with professional sport.

“It’s great to be at Yarm, which has one of the strongest and biggest rowing programmes in the North with many great athletes coming from the school," said Sir Steve.

“I’ve had an enjoyable afternoon coaching the students and I hope that they can have a chuckle about some of the stories I have told them from my career.”

Yarm headmaster Dr Huw Williams said: “Having Steve Redgrave is a huge point of excitement for our pupils and a real privilege for us as a school to have a five-time Olympic gold medallist to help the pupils hone their technique and raise their aspirations.

“The rowing programme is a very popular and successful part of our extensive sporting and extracurricular programme and has lots of pupils involved, some taking part socially and for fun, and others committing to serious training and competing at a very high standard.”

Deacon Laverick, boat club captain, said: “It was an honour being on the water with Steve and it was very motivating listening to him and hearing how he has progressed throughout his career.”

Annabel Cunningham, boat club captain, added: “It was incredible to watch Steve coach and just to be out on the water with him.”