"The scheme, which started as a pilot project in Ysgol Gyfun Penweddig in 2007, has now expanded into all seven secondary schools in Ceredigion and 99% of secondary schools across Wales.

Activities on offer as part of the 5x60 scheme include street dance, dodgeball, surfing, climbing, swimming, mountain biking and trampolining to name but a few.

The aim of this scheme is to get more children taking part in sports activities as well as targeting those pupils who don't normally participate in sports. Children should be taking part in 60 minutes of physical activity, five times a week.

The sessions are all about having fun and creating a non-competitive environment for children to feel comfortable in. It's important that pupils have options and variety when it comes to sports activities, because not all of them will enjoy the traditional sports such as rugby or netball.

Most of the schools have had their fair share of success this year, with Aberaeron Comprehensive clinching 5x60 School of the Month as well as Officer of the Month in the space of four months.

Tregaron and Lampeter Secondary School were among ten schools to have been selected to represent West Wales in the Welsh Inter High School Street Dance final in Cardiff in January. The other schools were from Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire.

The School of the Month title was also awarded to Penglais Comprehensive in March and for the efforts of Catrin Jones, the 5x60 officer, who has created a climbing, yoga, badminton and table tennis club since being in post.

Article written by James Owens