YOUNGSTERS in Wales are taking part in more after-school fun and games than ever, new figures show.

A report by the Sports Council for Wales, released today, says that 77 per cent of seven to eleven-year-olds take part in extra-curricular sports.

The report reveals that 79 per cent of boys and 75 per cent of girls enjoy sports activities.

It says children with parents and siblings who regularly participate in sport are more likely to take a wider range of extra-curricular and club-based activities.

Martin Jones, deputy head teacher and physical education co-ordinator at Penygarn Junior School, Pontypool, believes the survey bears out what is happening at his school.

He said: "We have a high percentage of children participating in sport. We push sport as much as possible in the school.

"In lunch time and break time there are games such as netball, football and rugby provided."

Mr Jones said the school also aimed to maximise the participation rate and said that throughout the week all 220 children at the school will have taken part in some form of sport.

He added that countries such as Wales had to look further afield if it wanted to get children more involved.

He said: "If you look at countries like Australia, PE is given an even higher profile and a great amount of time is allocated to it."

More than 11,000 children were surveyed in the summer of 2000 before the SCW's flagship scheme Dragon Sport was launched. The scheme aims to create more opportunities for children to become involved in sport after school.

Matthew Mortlock, SCW research and evaluation manager, said: "This survey will act as a benchmark to assess the impact of Dragon Sport within Welsh Primary schools, particularly in those regions where participation rates are lower.

A follow-up survey is planned for next summer and a survey of Welsh secondary schools is scheduled to take place this November.