Named 5x60 Officer of the Month for January, Gareth is just one of the motivators recruited by the Sports Council for Wales’ 5x60 scheme, which is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government.

Supported locally by Cardiff Council, it is designed to get more secondary school pupils taking part in 60 minutes of physical activity five times a week.

The 27-year-old from Newport, who has previously represented Wales in athletics, has persuaded scores of pupils to get off the sidelines into the 5x60 activity sessions.

He has been in post for over two years and last year alone introduced a timetable of 25 different activities, from Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and ice skating to more traditional sports such as table tennis and badminton.

He explains, "5x60 has given pupils something extra to look forward to at school and is being used to help motivate pupils to work hard and tackle behavioral problems. Hundreds of pupils at Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Plasmawr have got involved in 5x60 and have had the opportunity to perform for MPs at the Senedd, be coached by Commonwealth Games champions and international performers and have been part of some major events such as the UK School Games, the Wheelchair Spectacular and the UDO Dance Championships."