Sports Minister Alun Pugh AM was today on hand in Rhyl to demonstrate how the Welsh Assembly Government’s latest programme aimed at getting secondary school pupils in Wales more active is reaching the dizzy heights of success.

Pupils at Rhyl High School scaled the summits of a climbing wall, hip hop danced, mastered mountain bike drills and showcased their soccer skills as they demonstrated the variety of activities available through the 5x60 scheme.

In October 2006, Welsh Big Brother 7 stars Glyn Wise and Imogen Thomas stepped back into the playground to launch 5x60 to the masses.

And four months on, the scheme is already beginning to transform the playing fields and sports halls of secondary schools in Wales into hubs of bustling activity from daybreak to nightfall.

Surpassing all expectations, a total of 39 secondary schools in Wales are now on board with the programme. By 2009 it is expected that fully trained 5X60 officers will be deployed into every secondary school in Wales – each fully equipped to coordinate the new secondary school specific extra-curricular programme that will take place before school, at lunch time, after school and at the weekends.

Speaking at the launch, Alun Pugh AM outlined his ambitions for the future health of the nation:

"Through its sports and physical activity strategy Climbing Higher, the Welsh Assembly Government is keen to increase the opportunities for participation for everyone. By 2025 we want almost every young person in Wales doing 60 minutes of physical activity, five times a week. The introduction of 5 x 60 for young people in secondary schools is a big step along this path and I’m delighted to see that it is going from strength to strength.”

A broad range of activities have now become the mainstay of the 5x60 scheme, offering those who do not usually take part in sport the opportunity to dust off their trainers and get active.

Armed with a blank sheet of paper and a multitude of dynamic ideas the pupils themselves are deciding upon the type of activities that they would enjoy participating in ranging from street dancing to Frisbee, and from football to Dodgeball.

Chair of the Sports Council for Wales, Philip Carling said:

“It is evident that 5x60 is already making a very significant contribution towards physical activity in secondary schools. Participation in the programme is helping schools to offer a wider range of activities, helping to exceed targets and helping to shift attitudes.”

Supported by a £7.6 million investment by the Welsh Assembly Government, 5x60 has been introduced to continue the momentum started by the Sports Council for Wales’ Dragon Sport scheme - the highly acclaimed lottery funded programme which facilitates the delivery of extra-curricular sport and physical activity in primary schools across the length and breadth of Wales.