HERRINGTHORPE ROW: Let us play on these PLAYING fields

I HAVE followed with interest the recent discussion on the proposed development of Herringthorpe playing fields, which is being funded by Rotherham Phoenix Rugby club and the RFU. In amongst all the bickering and misinformation being spread by a small mino

The area which the council are leasing to the rugby club is the dirtiest, boggiest part of the fields. Using NO public money, these will be transformed into an area suitable for playing ALL sports, with admittedly rugby being the main activity, but the area will be available to any organisation to hire in the knowledge that it is fit for purpose.

I’d better state that I am one of the coaches responsible for ensuring the area is safe to play on, and we have to sweep the area beforehand we begin and once the pitch is marked out.

We ALWAYS have to remove unsafe objects from the area — flattened beer cans are the most common find, with glass bottles a close second. I’ve also had the pleasure of removing lots of scrap metal, lumps of wood/sticks, and some particularly prized finds in used tampons and soiled condoms.

Top spot (which I admit was a one-off) goes to a burned-out moped. In this Olympic year, even the most blinkered cannot fail to see that in order to develop sporting talent of the future, and to give the opportunity to all to participate, adequate facilities must be provided.

Further, to maintain the quality and safety of these areas they must be fenced off. Can Joe Public wander freely into Wembley Stadium, Don Valley, or Old Trafford? Of course not. So if the chance comes to develop any area for the good of the community and at no cost to the community (and remember the players of Rotherham Phoenix are members of the community too) it would be foolish to not seize the opportunity with both hands.

Paul Rogan, Hoodhill Road, Harley