SIR - WITH the Rugby Union World Cup having started recently, we have heard once again many commentators discuss why British sporting teams aren’t achieving the success they arguably should be.

When discussing football especially we sadly hear the common myth that foreigners are ruining the chance for home-grown talent.

Yet if we look up and down the country, we see young British talent forced to learn their trade and develop their skills on inadequate pitches with poor facilities.

Injuries are rife yet completely avoidable and we seem to be seeing the chance for the next generation to turn professional through the amateur route continually decrease.

While it may or may not be a major factor, it certainly isn’t helping. In a country as successful as ours both economically and in terms of sporting ability, we should have better options for our youngsters.

Councils hit by government cuts likely don’t have the funds for this when so many are in first-world poverty and rightly take priority.

Yet organisations like the FA have an opening and perhaps also a responsibility to provide better opportunities right down to the grassroots for our budding sports stars.

And maybe this would over time strengthen our national teams.

Ben Pickles, Britannia Wharf, Bingley