Hundreds of pupils in North Wales will be popping and locking their way to Wrexham on Sunday 16^th November, in the first regional heat of the Welsh Inter High School Street Dance Championships.

Street-dancer George Sampson, of Britain’s Got Talent Fame, and blockbuster films Step Up 2 the Streets and Save the Last Dance have hip-hopped street dance into the limelight, making it the latest phenomenon to take Welsh youngsters by storm.

The United Dance Organisation has teamed up with the Welsh Assembly Government’s 5 x 60 programme – a Sports Council for Wales managed scheme which aims to get secondary school pupils in Wales more active, more often – to run a professional dance competition for budding movers and shakers.

Dance crews from Ysgol Clywedog, Blessed Edward Jones RC High School and Holywell High School, to name a few, will battle it out at Glyndwr University’s William Aston Hall in a bid to become one of the 42 finalists to vie for the championship title – which is sponsored by Pontin’s - and the first prize of the use of a mini bus for their school for 12 months.

Six teams from each category will qualify and progress to the final at St David’s Hall in Cardiff on 18^th January 2009, with school years 7, 8 and 9 competing in one age group and years 10 and 11 in another.

Simon Dibley, CEO of the United Dance Organisation, explains the reasoning behind the competition:

"Street dance is becoming more and more popular, especially within education; therefore we decided to provide the students across the country with an exciting and professional dance competition for them to showcase their talents.

"Street dance provides a fantastic alternative form of fitness and we are delighted that so many pupils across Wales will be taking part. Both team and quad competitions will be held across the six regional heats, providing the opportunity for pupils to demonstrate both choreography and dance skills."

5x60 provides pupils with a mixed bag of opportunities. Proving the most popular among girls is dance which features right at the top of the league table while football, fitness and cheerleading are also favoured. Meanwhile, boys tend to swerve towards dodge-ball but they also beat a path to the football pitch and the basketball court.

Chair of the Sports Council for Wales, Philip Carling explains:

"The underlying goal is to encourage those who do not take part in sport to get active. When pupils are reluctant to take part, 5x60 officers are on hand to listen to concerns and to help overcome any hurdles."

Stephanie Morris, 5x60 Officer for Wrexham comments on the project:

"Dance is one of the most popular forms of exercise activities that we offer to secondary school children in North Wales, as part of the 5x60 programme. For young people to engage in physical recreation, the choices of activity on offer should be fun and enjoyable rather than a chore. It’s great that young people in North Wales are driving the agenda when it comes to getting active and choosing modern activities such as street dance to keep fit."

George Edwards, Operations Director of Pontin’s, said:

"Street dancing is really sweeping the world and is exciting for the participants and spectators alike, as well as being a great form of getting exercise. We hope that the Championships will encourage even more young people to take part."

Ten of North Wales’ most talented dance crews have been selected to represent the region in the grand final of the Welsh Inter High School Street Dance Championships in Cardiff next year.

The United Dance Organisation has teamed up with the Welsh Assembly Government’s 5 x 60 programme – a Sports Council for Wales managed scheme which aims to get secondary school pupils in Wales more active, more often – to kick start the professional dance competition for budding movers and shakers.

Ysgol Brynhyfryd won both the Years 7-9 and 10-11 age categories at the first Welsh heat last Sunday 16^th November at Glyndwr University’s William Aston Hall.

They now join teams from Castell Alun High School, Ysgol Dinas Bran, St Richard Gwyn, Blessed Edward Jones, Darland High School and Connahs Quay high School in the final at St David’s Hall, Cardiff on 18^th January 2009. A total of 42 finalists will battle it out for the championship title – which is sponsored by Pontin’s - for the first prize of the use of a mini bus for their school for 12 months.

Simon Dibley, CEO of the United Dance Organisation, was thrilled with the standard of dancers on show in Wrexham:

"The standard of dancing on show in North Wales was much higher than we expected with some really outstanding performances in the team and quad events. The talented dancers involved were a credit to their schools and all contributed towards a spirited and lively atmosphere on the day."

Chair of the Sports Council for Wales, Philip Carling said:

"The underlying goal is to encourage those who do not take part in sport to get active. When pupils are reluctant to take part, 5x60 officers are on hand to listen to concerns and to help overcome any hurdles."

George Edwards, Operations Director of Pontin’s, said:

"Street dancing is really sweeping the world and is exciting for the participants and spectators alike, as well as being a great form of getting exercise. We hope that the Championships will encourage even more young people to take part.