Rockettes Pro-Dance Team get down and dirty in aid of charity!

In an attempt to get super-fit for their charity swimwear calendar the Rockettes, the official dance squad to the Scottish Rocks pro-basketball team and the Edinburgh Rugby pro-rugby team, endured the rigours of an army-style assault course.

More renowned for their perfect appearance, sparkling white boots and smiles, the UK's hottest dance squad were far from glamorous when they were put through their paces in the muddy tracks of the TA training camp in Garelochhead.

Courtesy of JJB Fitness coach, and ex-army physical instructor, Will Robb along with the Royal Highland Fusiliers the girls were to be pushed to the limit in order to see just how FIT they are! Will served with the British Army in both the 1st Gulf War and the Bosnian conflict so he knows the stamina level required to tackle this type of course and thought this would be the perfect fitness test for the dancers.

Carole Anne Deeney, Dance Team Manager was understandably apprehensive. "We were actually really quite nervous. These army instructors are genuinely intimidating, especially when they are shouting in your face, I think we may end up with a few girls in tears! Also the thought of being cold, wet, exhausted and covered in mud was making us feel rather queasy and uncomfortable to say the least! Then again maybe all that mud will be good for our skin, saving us a fortune on face masks at the beautician!"

The Rockettes Charity Swimwear Calendar is now in its fifth year and proves hugely popular, raising all important money for the charities Cash for Kids and CHAS.

The dance team is determined to look in their best shape ever and will go that extra mile to make sure the bikini shots are the best yet. "Being photographed in a swimming costume or a bikini leaves you nowhere to hide! Our dance training and gym workouts keep us in pretty good shape anyway, the girls spend a lot of time at JJB to ensure we remain the UK's top Pro-Dance Team but it will be interesting to see just how we shape up on the assault course!" Claire Nimmo, 4th year veteran dance team member.

The cheerleaders crawled 'commando-style' through mud-filled trenches, scaled 12ft walls, careered across water-filled ditches on hanging ropes as well as braving the treacherous conditions, and we have the photographs to prove it! Sergeant Major McNally said "We were really impressed; each girl gave us 110% and should be proud of what they accomplished out there. A few of the girls were forced to confront their fears, overcoming them to complete some of the obstacles – I can tell you that's not always the case, usually 25% of cadets who tackle this course decline at least one of the obstacles!"

3 hours later the girls left the Army base, filthy, exhausted and desperately looking forward to relaxing in a hot bubble bath!



Photo Gallery (click to open)

(Photos courtesy of David Cruikshanks, photographer of the Scottish Rockettes Charity Swimsuit Calendar)