With pre-tournament write-offs England preparing to meet the Boks in the Rugby World Cup final, suddenly the whole nation is abuzz.

It's amazing how sporting success can galvanise and lift communities, be it whole countries, counties or towns.

More than that, however, sport itself is essential to our very well-being, in my opinion.

The health benefits are a given, but there is a social element which is equally as important.

Young people taking up team sports or joining clubs form new and lasting friendships, they learn how to interact, think on their feet and perform a particular role which makes the whole squad operate as a complete unit.

That is also why having access to adequate and accessible facilities to play sport, and dedicated staff to encourage its development and assist volunteers and clubs, is about more than just keeping fit.

Sport helps players generate respect for one another, it becomes the focus of someone's week, and maybe for some is the only time they can take a break from home and the workplace for an hour or two.

Matlock has lost Sherwood Hall, its only dedicated sports hall, because, as anyone could see, years of underinvestment had allowed it to deteriorate.

Now Derbyshire Dales District Council has revealed that it has no funds to repair or sustain swimming pools in Wirksworth and Hathersage, and the mooted restructuring of leisure services suggests the now-departed sports development officer won't be replaced.

Beg, borrow or steal the money, Derbyshire Dales, because sport is about a whole lot more than stopping our kids becoming obese.