There are few subjects that provoke the same kind of fierce debate as that which surrounds the existence of the Royal Family, not only here but throughout the Commonwealth.Some see the family as anachronism, no longer worthy of recognition.Others defend the Queen and her family with almost hysterical support as seen by the millions who remain glued their TVs in the event of a royal wedding, the most recent of which was last year’s marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton.But no matter what the opinion, nothing should be taken away from those who were recognised in this year’s Queen’s Honours list, among them two outstanding sporting figures, Donna Bradshaw and Lee Custodio.For their services to aid the growth and development of tennis and golf respectively, they were awarded the Queen’s Certificates and Badges of Honour.Ironically neither have yet been inducted into Bermuda’s Sports Hall of Fame and it’s taken Buckingham Palace to suitably reward both for years of dedication to their chosen sport.Those who have belittled or devalued the awards on The Royal Gazette website during the past week might want to take that into consideration.Donna and Lee were superb players in their chosen sports but it was what they achieved outside the tennis court and golf course that was equally, even moreso, deserving of their recognition.Now in his 80s, Custodio has been teaching golf for more than half a century, at both junior and senior level. There must be few who have excelled at the game without crossing his path.He’s still teaching and respected as much as he was when he taught his first lesson.Much the same can be said of Bradshaw, who while a talented player in both singles and doubles, has demonstrated her love of the sport many years after she won her last open title.She’s been an inspiration to those who have tried to follow in her footsteps, a long-serving member of the All Bermuda Tennis Club and ever present at the Government Tennis Stadium, now called the WER Joell Stadium, which she might consider her second home.It could be said both have flown below the radar, going about their work without grabbing the spotlight.Queen’s Certificates are not to be sniffed at.Whether they admire or not the royal family, those who receive them will consider it an enormous honour; recognition of what they have given back to the community.When they travel to London to accept their awards, they and their family should feel enormously proud and that pride should be shared throughout Bermuda.The growth of sport often depends on the few who are prepared to sacrifice their time to help others.Bradshaw and Custodio have done just that.* * * *A POLICE escort for the Somerset players who took part in the New Year’s Day Friendship Trophy at the National Sports Centre was yet another example of how football is now inextricably linked with gang violence.Unfortunately, it has also set a precedent in that it now has to be decided which games need similar security. And who will make that decision: the BFA, the clubs or the police.It’s a no-win situation.Should violence break out at a game, any of the above might be held responsible.If police presence is needed to prevent trouble, the taxpayer will complain their contributions should have been used in other waysIf gangs are as much a threat to football as they are to their rival gangs, there might be an argument that all Premier League action be suspended until the situation is brought under control, and there’s little sign that will happen soon.Drastic action perhaps. But it will take only one shooting to make both spectators and players fear for their lives.The New Year’s Day police escort which allowed players to avoid what might have been an explosive situation, has already made many to think twice whether attending or playing in a match is worth the risk.