IT was a real pleasure to officially open the new cricket practice nets and tennis court in Bovey Tracey.

These are exactly the kind of facilities that make a genuine difference to everyday life in our towns and villages, and it was wonderful to see so many people turn out to mark the occasion.

What struck me most was the story behind the project. These nets and the new court did not appear overnight.

They are the product of years of patient effort by volunteers, supporters and local organisations, all pulling in the same direction.

Anyone who has been involved in a community project of this kind knows how much quiet determination it takes to see it through. To everyone who gave up their time, raised funds or lent their expertise, I want to say a huge thank you.

Facilities like these matter because grassroots sport reaches well beyond the boundary rope or the baseline.

They give young people somewhere to learn a skill and burn off energy.

They give older residents a reason to stay active. And just as importantly, they bring people together who might otherwise never meet, building the kind of local friendships that hold a community together.

The national picture shows just how much appetite there is for this. According to Sport England, more than 30 million adults in England now meet the recommended 150 minutes of physical activity a week, with around 64 per cent of adults classed as active.

That is the highest level ever recorded, with roughly 859,000 more adults active than the year before.

Tennis in particular has enjoyed a remarkable revival, with adult participation across Britain growing by around 44 per cent over five years to some 5.6 million people, putting us among the leading tennis-playing nations in the world per head of population.

Cricket tells a similar story of renewal, with clubs up and down the country reporting growing interest, including from women and girls who have taken up the game in record numbers.

Behind every one of those statistics is a local club, a volunteer coach and, very often, a set of nets or a court much like the ones we have just opened in Bovey Tracey.

We should not take any of this for granted. Sport England has been clear that real inequalities remain, with older people, those on lower incomes and people with disabilities still less likely to be active.

That is precisely why accessible, well maintained facilities close to home are so valuable. They lower the barriers.

I have no doubt these nets and this tennis facility will be enjoyed for many years to come, and I look forward to visiting again.

Facebook: Mel Stride MP X: @MelJStride Instagram: @melstridemp Website: www.melstridemp.com