Wales’ biggest free school sports initiative is encouraging Cardiff school children to get geared up for London 2012.
Sport.Cardiff’s 5×60 initiative aims to help young people become more active by taking part in 60 minutes of exercise five times a week.
The scheme comprises a variety of different activities from which the children choose what they want to participate in. Activities include competitive, team and individual sports as well recreational activities such as climbing, dance and swimming.
The programme has enjoyed outstanding success since its launch in 2007 and is one of the biggest of its kind in the UK.
It is delivered in 21 secondary schools across the city providing children aged between 11 and 16-years-old with the opportunity to enjoy a large range of different sports.
Tennis, basketball, rugby, football, cricket and baseball are just some of the sports on offer. The programme also includes more unusual activities such as Zumba, rowing, martial arts, free running, cheerleading, boxing, break dancing and fencing, which children may not usually get the chance to participate in.
Last week, St Teilo’s Church in Wales High School celebrated the landmark of 300 days to go until the start of the 2012 Olympic Games with a jam packed sports event showcasing many of the 5X60 sports.
Around 300 pupils came together during their lunch break to participate in several organised sports including badminton, table tennis, volleyball and judo.
Over the coming months Sport.Cardiff will host a programme of events to celebrate the countdown to the Olympic and Paralympic Games in London next year.
Executive Member for Sport, Leisure and Culture, Cllr Nigel Howells said: “The 5X60 programme is a great way to get young people active and interested in sport.
“It also aims to inspire them to take up different sports and creates anticipation and excitement in schools in the run-up to the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“It has been a fantastic success in ensuring young people get a substantial amount of exercise per week so then can benefit from a healthy lifestyle.
“Sport.Cardiff is committed to delivering grassroots sport and improving club competition and coaching provision to ensure children can take part in high quality sporting activities as part of our Olympic legacy.”
For more information about Sport.Cardiff please visit www.sport-cardiff.com or go to the Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/sport.cardiff
