PRESTEIGNE pupils are getting access to activities they might not otherwise have had the chance to experience thanks to the Welsh Assembly’s 5x60 programme.

John Beddoes High School’s young sports leaders have been running weekly badminton, girls’ football, boys’ football and rugby sessions at lunchtimes.

The badminton turn-up-and-play sessions ran by Tom Davies, Holly de Mynn, Katie Cheung, Jodie Johnson, Eva Corbett, Sarah Bevan and Joanna Owen are hugely successful and over the past year alone over 120 pupils of differing ages have taken part.

Girls’ football has also been successful with coach Rachel Venables running weekly sessions and taking the girls to a Powys u-14 semi-final against Llanidloes.

Rob Taylor has consistently played a part in delivering football sessions for girls and boys; he and Rachel completed their football leaders qualification through the 5x60 programme back in November.

Year 11 pupils Danny Pitts and Jamie Layton-Morris have been running sessions for the year 7 football team and took the team to the Powys small-sided tournament in Newtown.

Sam Barrett and Owen Davies have started a lunchtime club to pass on their rugby skills with the assistance of history teacher Mike Barnaby.

Another new club on the horizon is the lunchtime golf club while Tony Cox of Presteigne squash club has also been involved with the programme, passing on his skills to a group of year 8 boys at lunchtimes.

Any individual or club interested in getting involved with 5x60 should e-mail owain.harpwood@powys.gov.uk.