As a keen runner, occasional mountaineer and committed Barnsley Football Club fan, I’ve always been passionate about sport and the important role it plays in our community.

Again and again I have seen sport be such a positive force for good in people’s lives, particularly for young people.

As a parent, I’ve seen the benefits of sport with my own children, through the sense of enjoyment and achievement they get from taking part in the Barnsley Park Run in Locke Park on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

I am very concerned that Rupert Murdoch is once again attempting to buy the remainder of Sky. It is very important that we have a variety of media output in this country and it is dangerous for any one individual or organisation’s share to become too large. Murdoch’s previous bid fell through following the revelations about phone hacking at News International in 2011.

It is incredibly important that everyone has access to decent mobile phone coverage at competitive prices wherever they live in the country. I am concerned about the possibility of one single company owning a large share of the mobile phone spectrums, thus reducing competition in the market. There needs to be sufficient competition in this industry to ensure competitive pricing.

Last weekend’s win at Wembley was momentous – both for Barnsley FC and our town. This was reflected in the amazing turnout on Monday evening when so many local people turned out for the victory parade.

Like so many other Barnsley FC supporters, I made my way down to Wembley on Sunday to support the Reds and see their fantastic cup win.

The team – from the owner, chairman, chief executive, manager and players through to the backroom staff – deserve our praise and thanks. They did our town proud in a 3-2 triumph against Oxford United.