By Cpl Alisha Welch
IT IS not all work and no play for Australian Defence personnel deployed on Exercise Long Look, with Sgt Wayne Tolver-Banks competing in a series of triathlons while enjoying the British hospitality.

Holsworthy-based Sgt Tolver-Banks said just after arriving in the UK he competed in the British Army (BA) Sprint Championships but did not perform greatly.

"After the first race I began training to improve my form," he said.

"I competed in another sprint race about two weeks later in a township called Braintree. I had some major improvements - a great swim, an average ride (bike problems) and a good run.

"I'm not sure of my final position but the race was a good training run in order to get used to the British conditions."

He said soon after this he discovered a training team in Aldershot, which boasted a professional swim coach.

"Joining the training team also enabled me to meet some other British Army triathletes. They assisted during training and invited me to attend the BA Long Course Championships in Bournemouth.

"Although I was not happy with my race, I received a runners up trophy as part of the minor unit combined team time.

"I must also complement the other Australian competitor I saw in Bournemouth wearing the ADF triathlon kit.

"I remember exiting the water and making my way to the bike transition and hearing an Aussie accent cheer me on!"

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