5x60

5X60 Programme

The new 5X60 programme intends to make significant inroads into the Welsh Assembly’s target of 90% of secondary pupils achieving 60 minutes of physical activity five times a week by 2020. Based on the success of initial pilots, the Welsh Assembly Government plans to invest some £7.6 million over the next 3 years and aims for every secondary school in Wales to be involved in the programme by 2009.

5x60 is set to change the face of provision of sport in schools and transform playing fields and sports halls into hubs of bustling activity from daybreak to nightfall. 5x60 officers will be based in secondary schools and it will be their role to consult with the pupils, listen to their needs and the barriers which prevent them from participating in activity. They will timetable a programme of activities that suit the pupils’ needs. These activities can take place before school during lunch after school and at weekends. The activities will be mainly targeting individuals that currently do not participate or who are in danger of losing interest.

The types of activities that have been successful in the pilots have been;

• Traditional competitive activities. This would be a continuation of the types of activities that they have already enjoyed through Dragon Sport. These activities can be offered through inter house/form competitions and, in the pilots, many more pupils remained involved.

• Recreational activities such as dance, aerobics, fitness, trampolining; these types of activities have been in high demand in previous programmes.

• Coached activities in a more informal setting giving pupils the opportunity to achieve a reasonable amount of skill and therefore enjoy the game a little more. One good news story in the pilots illustrated links with a tennis club so that the pupils had the opportunity for some coaching in order to be able to play tennis in the school tennis ladder.

• Activities in the Outdoors. Wales has a huge natural resource that is available to everyone. It is hoped to offer opportunities involving the outdoors to many more young people.

Finding suitable deliverers will be a large part of the 5X60 officer’s role. They will provide training opportunities for the older pupils in the school; this will then support the delivery of the programme. The training will provide the pupils with a qualification and enable them to contribute to the workforce in this capacity. Volunteers and coaches from the local community will also be involved in delivering the programme.

Providing club links and exit routes for the pupils will be vital to make the programme sustainable. It is expected that 5X60 will develop more interest in sport and physical activity in a variety of forms. The 5X60 officers will need to make the links with the community and sports development teams to be able to meet this demand.

It is anticipated that through this programme the pupils will have the opportunity to try a range of activities that are not currently available to them in school at present. The young people will have ownership of the programme and will be able to shape it to suit their needs. The ethos of the 5X60 is similar to Dragon Sport in that the main target is for pupils to have fun while taking part. If this happens and the pupils really enjoy the opportunities, then they are more likely to continue to participate in activity throughout their lives.

A dedicated 5x60 website has been developed to explain more about the 5x60 scheme.