I WAS really impressed by your story about the local schools doing well in a recent sportscotland competition.

For schools in Cowdenbeath and Lochgelly to get gold awards was pretty impressive and it is certainly something which is very encouraging.

Hopefully we are now going to see a breed of young people who are no longer pre-occupied with their phones but want to get out on the pitch and enjoy themselves.

It would seem that if your report is right the gold award is for a school that has been recognised for innovation and achievement in delivering physical education and extra-curricular sport to young people in the school community.

The sportscotland Gold School Sport Award was presented to staff and pupils at Crossgates and they rightly were pleased with themselves.

The pupils celebrated their achievements in sports at Crossgates with special invited guests who have supported staff and pupils to achieve the award.

It is encouraging though for school teachers probably have had a few problems encouraging kids to get involved in sport in recent years but hopefully that is on the change.

All the schools in the Cowdenbeath-Lochgelly area have had famous former pupils who have been through their doors but in recent years the numbers have fallen.

But that is something that has been affecting schools across the country.

I reckon that is what has hurt the Scottish football team for the form in the World Cup over the past 20 years has been moderate to say the least.

Hopefully things are going to change and with gold awards being won by schools all over the country it shows that maybe there are more young people going to be getting involved in sport and that can only help standards improve.

And the more local kids taking part the better.

SPORTY,

Lumphinnans Road,

Lochgelly.