Madam, I am writing to express my concern at the recent comments criticising the level of coverage of youth sport in the Gazette.

I am of the opinion that the success of our young sports people and their clubs should be supported and celebrated at every opportunity at what is a critical time in the development of sport in Ross.

Currently the Ross youth football clubs are running 19 teams and with the cricket Club running another 10 this gives a combined participation of over 300 boys and girls between the ages of five and 16 in these two sports alone. Additionally the Town also has an increasingly active youth rugby club.

I find this level of participation truly staggering given the appalling facilities that our town provides.

I have followed my son's football team from the bottom of the under 8's league to their current proud position at the top of the Under 16's. Throughout these 8 years the most common pitch side conversation at away games has been "Why can't we have facilities like these!"

Mike Collinson, Gorsley