I feel compelled to write to highlight an issue with the recent Leicester Tigers rugby tournament in Minehead.

Minehead Barbarians’ Under 12s team had been training incredibly hard in preparation for this event and the children were looking forward to taking part.

However, much to the children’s disappointment, this year they did not play.

The reason was that priority places are given to teams who stay at Butlin’s and effectively “pay” for a place.

The Barbarians Under 12s could only enter if there was a space left once all the bookings to stay at the holiday centre had been taken, or if a team dropped out.

The tournament made use of the Barbarians’ pitches as well as Minehead Middle School’s, adding insult to injury by using our “rejected” kids’ place of education as a venue.

It was particularly disappointing as the Government’s agenda focuses on promoting children’s involvement in sports and being part of a team.

Also, the Barbarians actively support Butlin’s and the children have their name on their rugby tops.

I personally feel it is an absolute disgrace that my son’s team was not included and feel incredibly disappointed for the children who worked so hard training and preparing for this event.

For the sake of a few extra pounds, our children have been excluded . . . shame on the organisers.

Warren Filer, Glenmore Road, Minehead.