In training: Zak Stolz, Charlie Robbins and Troy Cullen, all contestants on the television show Australian Ninja Warriors, have signed up to become ambassadors for this year’s Arthurs Seat Challenge. Picture: Steve Brown

THREE of the contestants from this year’s Australian Ninja Warriors contest have now swung their training towards scaling Arthurs Seat.

Charlie Robbins, who won the grand final of the latest Channel 9 series, and fellow “warriors” Zak Stolz and Troy Cullen have been named as ambassadors for this year’s Arthurs Seat Challenge.

All three coach gymnastics in Rosebud and are training at The Compound at Tuerong as part of their preparations for the next Ninja series.

“With the roads being such a dangerous place, we need to help improve knowledge and attitudes, especially with phones,” Robbins said when asked about the importance of the Arthurs Seat Challenge which raises money for Fit to Drive workshops at secondary schools.

Mt Eliza Secondary College principal, Angela Pollard, said the three Australian Ninja Warrior contestants were ideal ambassadors for the challenge.

“As young people who live a fit and healthy lifestyle, they wish to encourage others to take part in this event and challenge themselves as we have seen the warriors do so successfully,” Ms Pollard said.

Robbins, Stolz and Cullen grew up on the peninsula and all attended Rosebud Secondary College where they completed the Fit To Drive workshop.

Robbins visited students at Sorrento and St Joseph’s primary school soon after his grand final win and he plans to visit to Rye Primary.

Cullen and Robbins started doing gymnastics at a young age, along with fellow warrior Ashlin Herbert. Stolz was a self-taught gymnast who teamed up with his mates four years ago.

One year later, they were all introduced to the intense world of ninja training at The Compound by Herbert.

While making their way up the 6.7-kilometre course to the top of Arthurs Seat does not include any ninja obstacles, they see it as a different sort of challenge – helping to raise awareness of the Fit to Drive program.

The Arthurs Seat Challenge 6.7km fun run and walk starts at 8.30am Sunday 10 November near Rosebud Primary School. Register online at www.arthursseatchallenge.com.au

First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 15 October 2019