Talented goalkeeper Rach-elle Houldsworth is the winner of our Search for a Sporting Star competition this month, run in conjunction with Taywood Homes.

Rachelle, who collected her award this week, scooped it in recognition of her prowess between the posts for Premier-ship club Bradford City Ladies.

The 14-year-old, from Fell Lane, Keighley, has made rapid progress since she first donned a pair of goal keeping gloves. And the youngster is now saving her best for the team's FA Cup clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers. Rachelle was due to make her debut for the first team against Wolves last weekend, but the match was called off at the last moment.

Proud dad Ian - who plays for Silsden - believes it will be only a matter of time before Rachelle makes her full debut for the Bantams' first team. "She still has a few nerves about playing in the first team but once she gets on the pitch she'll be fine," he says. "The whole family is fairly sporty and Rachelle has excelled in quite a few sports, as well as football."

An ardent Manchester Utd fan, Rachelle also watches Bradford City and takes inspiration from City keeper Gary Walsh. "I hope in a few years we'll get paid as much as the men," says Rachelle. "Women players get paid a lot in Italy so it would be nice to play there."

David Mackintosh, Sales and Marketing director for Tay-wood Homes, says: "Rachelle has impressed us with her levels of skill, enthusiasm and determination on the football field. The fact that she has also excelled at so many other sports marks her out as a worthy winner."

Rachelle followed in her dad's footsteps by starting her footballing career with Silsden, becoming a regular member of the ladies' team. Her ability was quickly realised by coaches at the club who encouraged her to step up a level. Since then, the Oakbank pupil has been called up to represent the Yorkshire Under 16 team.

Rachelle's talents also extend to the field of athletics, where she is the Bradford and Yorkshire Under 15 discuss champion and holder of the Bradford Under 15 shot-put record. She has also represented her school at netball, rounders, hockey and badminton.

The sporting youngster will spend her £100 prize money on a new pair of gloves and travelling costs.

To nominate someone for the award send a letter of no more than 200 words outlining their achievements and how they would spend the prize money. Send entries to: Search for a Star c/o Richard Brugger, Keighley News, 80-86 North Street, Keighley, BD21 3AG.

Once we have our six monthly winners an overall champion will be selected.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.