I'm a big fan of competitive sports for children - in fact I've never understood why anyone could be against it.

And the days when it was trendy to say kids shouldn't compete because losing would upset the ones who didn't win should be banished for good.

Every child and young person should have opportunities to play competitive sport and get active.

And look what kids can be taught by sport. They learn to win and they learn to handle defeat as well. That hard work pays off, training helps you succeed and teamwork is what counts. That we work for each other and when we help each other, we all benefit. Those are crucial lessons for life and they can all be learnt on the sports pitch.

That's why I was delighted when the government announced an extra £100 million to boost sport for youngsters.

It's no use worrying whether children and young people are active enough, or if they don't get out and about enough, if we're not prepared to do something about it.

Five years ago, only one child in every four did just two hours of sport each week and the Government promised to increase it. That's now up to 80% and it shows that when the Government works with schools and sports clubs we can make a real difference.

The new scheme will provide money to increase the numbers of children who do a minimum level of sport by helping sports colleges, schools and clubs to work together. The government wants to ensure every child and young person has the opportunity to do 2 hours of sport each week in school and 3 hours in their own time.

And it'll pay for new Competition Managers to work with the network of School Sports Co-ordinators and help schools organise school sports matches and sports days. They will also push to make sure sports facilities are used more in the evenings, weekends and during sports holidays.

Maybe we'll reap the benefits in 2012 and other young people from Dudley can join Ryan Bradley in representing their country.