SPORT: Ian Griffiths has been in post as the Bettws sports and activities development officer since October 2006.

He has a teaching background linked to sports performance in further education.

Prior to obtaining this position he worked closely with the Positive Futures Programme within the Bettws and Duffryn communities, as a casual sports coach.

He said: "This provided me with a positive insight into sports development, as it was both enjoyable and rewarding to work with the young people involved with the programme. Many of these adolescents were either at risk from being excluded from school, or were young offenders, so it was good to see them benefit through the medium of sports participation.

"My primary aim as a sports and activities development officer is to engage the maximum number of people of all ages within the Bettws community to participate in a variety of sports and activities.

"It is hoped that through providing these opportunites to participate in sports and activities that the residents of Bettws will benefit from a healthier lifestyle, improved social well-being, a reduction in drug abuse, an increase in job opportunities and enhanced personal skills."

Sports/activities delivered or provided - football, basketball, extend (over-50s), multi-sports activities, rugby, street dance, gymnastics, short tennis and tennis.

Regular inter-community sports matches and events where Bettws sports clubs compete against other communities are regularly provided throughout the year.

After-schools clubs - gymnastics, basketball, football, rugby and multi-sports.

We are hoping to provide an aerobics session in the near future, targeting young women (14-18 years).

Volunteers - there are currently five volunteers involved in assisting the delivery of many of the sports/activity sessions.

Since November three community sports sessions were introduced to the community targeting young people aged ten-19 (two football sessions and one multi-sports session).

These sessions are all funded through the positive futures programme.

After-school clubs have been organised and are currently being delivered in all local schools (Monnow Primary, Millbrook Primary, St David Lewis Primary and Bettws High Schools).

The sports development officer has linked in with local sports clubs (football, rugby, boxing, etc) and youth clubs helping affiliate these clubs within the community and boost participation levels.

A street dance class has been introduced targeting ten- 16-year-old girls.

A keep fit class is running in the local older persons' residential home.

Two football sessions are also delivered on the multi-use games area (MUGA), located in the centre of Bettws.