Gladiator School visits

            PlayerLayer Understands the Importance of Motivating and Inspiring Young People

PlayerLayer have been sending one of their ambassadors, the gladiator Spartan, into schools to talk to pupils about the importance of taking part in sport and of having pride in their school teams.  He has been sharing his experiences of sport from school to international level and PlayerLayer hopes that these visits will encourage pupils to get involved in more sporting activity, whatever form it may take.

Below is an article written by one of the pupils at Ranelagh School following a training session with Spartan.


WE ARE THE SPARTANS!!!!

On Wednesday the 1st July Spartan from Sky 1’s ‘Gladiators’ came to Ranelagh School and taught some students American Football.  It was a very enjoyable session, for the football to be taught by a celebrity.  Throughout the session we did a number of scoring manoeuvres and also some wacky celebrations, but we also had some time to ask Rod ‘Spartan’ about his life outside of Gladiators.

Rod was willing to answer all of our questions and I think the answer everyone enjoyed the most was his answer to how he got the job for Gladiators. His answer was long and very funny. He said that he was staying in the same hotel that Ian Wright was staying in (presenter of Gladiators) and overheard Ian telling his friend that he was going to be the presenter of the new series of Gladiators. With Ian being one of Rod’s heroes Rod approached Ian and asked him if he could get him an audition for the show. A few days later Rod got a phone call saying he has an audition, so he went to the audition and there were loads of huge guys strolling about like they own the place and looking at him thinking “oh he is no competition he wont get through.”

They had lots of tests including sprints and diving about and half of the men were too big so they left. Soon after, they all got told they will be taking drugs tests, so a load of them went “oh” and walked out.  Then after a while it came down to Rod and his fellow Gladiators getting through.  After the question time some girls came along screaming and hiding behind a tree taking pictures and when they plucked up the guts to go and talk to him one of them used the poor and obviously not true excuse of

 “My best friends brother wants your autograph, please can I have it.”

            After a few more drills and funny poses came the time we were all dreading, the time for the training session to finish, but a few of my friends and I took advantage of Rod not needing to leave for a while and took some pictures with him.  Once Mrs Gough left a few of us took the liberty of  asking him if we could take some pictures  of him doing his signature pose and one boy asked him if he could touch his muscles.  Rod said yes, but of course I had to as well, and then everyone joined in.  Don’t be fooled by his looks they aren’t that muscular.  NOT!!!  His muscles are HUGE!!  Its like he has strapped American footballs to his arms!!

   

After that three of my friends and I had a long chat with him where he was extremely funny telling us about himself and what he thinks of his fellow Gladiators, and told us who is favourite female Gladiator is. He is not just an amazing American football player and a GLADIATOR, he is also an extremely nice guy. He must have to be very patient, I wouldn’t of been of been able to last being him having people taking pictures of you all the time, people asking to pose with you and girls screaming and staring at you all the time.  Well maybe I wouldn’t mind the bit about the girls.  I would just like to thank Mrs Gough on behalf of the people that did the session for getting Spartan/ Rod to come to our school.  It was a once in a life time experience (well I hope not) and thank you Rod for coming and for being so funny and patient with us.