Schools' sporting activities boosted by new 5x60 officers
The development of an innovative sports scheme has been boosted
in the Vale of Glamorgan by two new "signings."
Appointed to the Vale council sports development team, Ben
Williams and Michelle Davies join Elin Leyshon (Ysgol Gyfun Bro
Morgannwg) as 5x60 officers working in the area's secondary
schools. Ben covers Barry Comprehensive and St Richard Gwyn RC
High, while Michelle will be part-time at Bryn Hafren.
Since its launch in October, 2006, the Welsh Assembly
Government’s £7.6million 5x60 scheme, managed by the Sports Council
for Wales, has successfully helped transform the playing fields and
sports halls of secondary schools. It aims to create opportunities
for secondary school pupils to participate in 60 minutes of
sporting or physical activity on five days of the week.
Ben and Michelle, who have already created plenty of lunchtime
and after school clubs, undertook a consultation survey across all
three schools when students indicated exactly what clubs they
wanted and any barriers to participation.
Ben enthused: “We’ve both received a warm welcome and, despite
the flooding setback at St Richard Gwyn, it has been very exciting
and challenging. I’m sure that, as more pupils get to know what we
can offer, there will be a dramatic increase in physical activity
participation across the schools.”
In addition to existing activities, clubs encompassing
dodgeball, basketball, table tennis, break dancing, football and
trampolining have been introduced at Barry Comprehensive, while, at
St Richard Gwyn, additional opportunities cover rugby, aerobics
(teachers welcome), dodgeball, street dance and football.
Michelle has introduced tag rugby, benchball (similar to
dodgeball) and aerobics activities at Bryn Hafren and, in the New
Year, plans to launch trampolining, basketball and swimming
clubs.
Michelle said: “Like many other clubs we rely heavily on the
support of volunteers to deliver activities so volunteer
recruitment is vital. The 5x60 team would like to hear from anyone
interested in working with us to achieve our vision.”
The new members of the 5x60 team have already organised a
one-day field trip for the first week of December, with 25 pupils
going to an outdoor centre to enjoy the thrills of abseiling and
mountain biking.
Prior to joining the Vale council, Ben secured a BSc degree in
sports science at Portsmouth University and is soon to complete his
Masters degree at the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff. A
semi-professional footballer at Llanelli who captained the Welsh
Colleges, Ben enjoys squash.
With the same sports science degree, Michelle has worked at the
council's Cowbridge Leisure Centre for the past three years with
the reception, recreation and administration teams. She remains a
part-time employee at the centre where she is also a trampolining
coach (Level 1).
Ben and Michelle work closely with existing 5x60 officer Elin
and the council's sports development team.
Welcoming the new recruits, cabinet member for tourism and
leisure Cllr Gwyn John said: “We hope that by 2009 every secondary
school will be allocated their own 5x60 officer a dramatic increase
in participation levels, and that physical activity is fun and
safe."
To speak to a member of the 5x60 team, please telephone 01446
704614 or email Ben at Bwilliams@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk,
Michelle at MiDavies@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk
or Elin at EMLeyshon@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk.
Alternatively, visit the sports
development pages to view a general local sports club
database.
Caption: Vale of Glamorgan Council cabinet
member for tourism and leisure Cllr Gwyn John with 5x60 officers,
from left: Elin Leyshon, Ben Williams and Michelle Davies.