No matter which health statistics you look at, there is a recurring theme running throughout: Our kids are too fat.
Obesity caused by lack of exercise and bad diet is set to become the health problem of the 21st Century with the modern way of life not always conducive to a fit and healthy population.
But one initiative has become hugely successful in Welshpool, encouraging the new generation to switch off their Playstations and head out to the playing fields for regular exercise that will bring benefit throughout their lives.
The 5x60 scheme is a Welsh Assembly initiative which has been designed to encourage young people who are not involved in any extracurricular physical activity to take part in 5x60 minutes of exercise, outside of school lessons, per week.
Welshpool High School’s 5x60 officer is Aled Williams who has been charged with getting youngsters on the move who may otherwise fall through the cracks and miss out on any leisure activity.
“My role at the High School is to organise activities for the pupils to take part in at breaktimes, after school, on weekends and during the school holidays,” said Aled. “The 5x60 scheme offers the pupils the chance to decide on what kinds of activities they want to try, and also to decide on how they want the sessions to run. For example, some sessions allow the pupils to Turn Up and Play whereas in other sessions, a coach from a local sports club is hired to carry out a proper session.
“This leads to a broad range of activities available for pupils to try; anything from football and hockey to Kayaking and Table Tennis.”
Aled explains that the scheme is successful because it addresses the barriers that some people face when considering taking part in exercise. These are addressed by sessions that are put on for certain age groups, or different sessions for boys and girls.
“Many of the Turn Up and Play sessions are run by volunteers, such as 6th formers who are willing to give up their lunch times to support the scheme. This allows them to gain valuable experience in working with young people before they leave school and enter work or further education. The scheme also offers the chance for these volunteers to gain some qualifications in coaching and sport leadership, all of which will be useful for them in later life.”
The scheme is starting to reap dividends. A team from Welshpool High School entered the
Welsh Schools Cyclo-Cross Championships in Brecon last month and returned home as Welsh champions in two age groups.
“All the Welshpool High School riders performed extremely well in their first taste of the cyclo-cross racing format and enjoyed the experience,” said Aled.
The training is held in conjunction with the Fl;ash Leisure Centre which makes its facilities available for the 5x60 scheme.
The after school activities provided at the Flash include:
Tuesday: 3.30 - 4.30pm, free gym sessions for yr 10 & 11 Girls
Tuesday: 3.30 - 4.15pm, free after school swimming club for all ages
Wednesday: 3.45 - 4.30pm, £1 after school spinning yr 7 to 13
Thursday: 3.30 – 5.00 , free badminton for yr 7 to 13
The Flash also provides inductions for Welshpool High School pupils aged 14+ at a reduced cost of £5.
For further information please contact either:
Aled Williams (5x60 officer): 01938 552014
The Flash Leisure Centre: 01938 555952 or visit the website