Two of Lyneham's Fittest Take on the Best
6th December 2008
A popular saying among those who want to keep really fit is 'there's no gain without pain' and it is exactly what two of Lyneham's sporting personnel have endured for the past few months. The reward for their daily exhausting routine pushing their bodies to the limits, is they have both gained the opportunity to appear on Sky television's top programme's.

A Physical Training Instructor from RAF Lyneham passed through a grueling selection and training process to represent the RAF in a Gladiators Forces Special which will air on Sky 1 in January 2009.

Corporal Claire Leslie travelled to Shepperton Studios in Surrey where filming of the popular Sky television programme Gladiators takes place. Supporting Leslie, was 20 family members and friends, as well as 50 loyal supporters from the Wiltshire airbase.

Prior to the televised event, Claire said: “I am really excited to be involved with Gladiators. I have always kept myself fit and since my primary role in the RAF is to enable the fitness of all service personnel, it is really great that I have this opportunity to show what I am made of!!”

“My training has stepped up since I went through the initial stages of selection for the show. I am only 5 foot 4 tall and when I had to compete against girls who were much larger than me in training, I realised that being quick was not everything. I have since tailored my training programme to include more weights and strength work. The boys at work have all been really helpful and have helped me with my training, although I think they are all jealous that I am going to be on Gladiators rather than them!!”

Claire’s Boss, Flight Lieutenant Mark Colebourn, is the Physical Education Officer at RAF Lyneham. He said:

“We are all really proud of Claire for getting through the selection process. She is a fine example of the excellent young men and women we have in today’s Air Force and I am positive she will do the RAF and RAF Lyneham proud.”

Initial selection entailed various general fitness tests followed by an interview. The next stage involved more contact games such as wrestling, after which Claire was immediately faced with a camera and microphone as would happen during the real competition. After hearing that she had successfully got through to the Forces Special Programme, Claire attended a 10 day training camp for all of those who have been selected to appear in the next series of Gladiators. During the camp, they tried out many of the events they could be faced with on the day and had an opportunity to meet the Gladiators.

Whilst Claire admitted that she was dreading the Dual, she hoped to get the chance to go up against the Gladiators on the wall, pursuit and powerball. She concluded: “The women aren’t that big; I’m not scared of them.”

Claire set her targets high and her endurance training paid off. She ended up in the final "race off " in the Eliminator game, Claire set off 2½ seconds after the Army contender. However, by half way around the course she had caught her and managed to sneak in front. Holding her nerve Claire got herself up the travelator with the Army in close pursuit!! With only the wall to break through at the top of the steep climb travelator, both competitors dived for wall! No-one knew who exactly had won, and they had to go to the video referee for final analysis and confirmation!!! Just to drag the day out a bit more!!!

Finally the Referee provided the news that Claire had wanted, the announcement came as sweet music, she had won! Following Leslie's success she donated the prize money of £5,000 for charity to the Help for Hero's campaign.

Ben's chance to shine!
The British Armed Forces consists of some of the most skilled, brave and toughest men and women in the world. But just who is the toughest of them all? Each week a member of the Army, Navy or Royal Air Force takes to Sky One's Soccer AM car park in the hope of one day being crowned Iron Soldier! Featured this weekend was Corporal Ben Moore from RAF Lyneham who had his eyes set on the event pace maker Para LCpl Lee Fox. Getting away from his daily 'pen-pushing' job as an administrator on the airbase, he mirrored Leslie's targets to be among the best and be fit for the endurance test.

The contenders were required to complete the military designed challenge which tests their strength, speed and agility. The contestant has to carry ten equally spaced heavy power bags space over a course, back to a Land Rover as quickly as possible.

Aiming at a series best time of 1 min 14.16 secs, set previously by Para LCpl Lee Fox, he was just ten seconds to slow to finish with a remarkable time of 1 min 24.56 secs.

"How does it feel?" presenter Helen Chamberlain asked him as he lay panting in the back of the Land Rover against his stacked power bags at the end of the challenge. "My legs are burning." he gasped. Helen quickly past on her sarcastic encouragement and congratulations 'you'll have to push some heavier pens in future!'

Soccer AM is a popular football show being broadcast on Sky television each Saturday morning of the football season since 1995. Presented by Helen Chamberlain and Max Rushden the programme has recently reached a milestone of 500 episodes. The success of Soccer AM has come from an eclectic mix of football, comedy and entertainment every week, and has seen its influence spread well beyond the world of football. Parts of the show have remained since the beginning, whilst new items have been introduced each season, including the gruelling 'Iron Soldier' forces challenge. Every week sees a new group of celebrity guests, generally featuring at least one footballer who is free on the Saturday, and a mix of musicians, TV personalities and other sportsmen.