A young slalom canoeist with ambitions of paddling to olympic glory is our latest sporting star.

Rebecca Wadsworth - pictured above in action - has experienced a flood of victories ever since she took up slalom canoeing two years ago.

Now Rebecca is one of the local youngsters under consideration to be named our Young Sports Personality of the Month.

the contest, sponsored by Taywood Homes, will produce six monthly winners up to the end of the year who will each receive a certificate and £100. An overall winner from the six will then be selected.

rebecca, 14, has taken to canoeing like a duck to water and has amassed a series of impressive results, which has led to an invitation to join the England squad.

As a member of Bradford and Bingley Canoe Club she started competing last year in Division 5. Since then she has rapidly negotiated each division and laid claim to a series of impressive victories in Wales, Scotland and England, which have propelled her to Division 1.

In each of the divisions, she has been up against the cream of British talent, and has competed against people of all ages. At the British Under 14/16 championships in Nottingham last month she claimed second place in her class.

Most of Rebecca's training is done on the River Aire with coach Colin Shackleton, who joins her six times a week, come rain or shine.

Her proud parents David and Jillian believe the determination Rebecca has shown could one day help her achieve olympic gold. Jillian says: "She knows that she is very good at this sport and she is willing to continue working hard at her training and competitions. She has a burning ambition to represent our country at international and olympic level.

"We are sure that given the right support she will continue to progress and that some day she will achieve her ambition."

If she wins the competition, Rebecca, who lives at Gilstead, says she will put the prize money towards the cost of competing in what is an expensive sport.

Though the closing date for our August entries is today, we are now taking nominations for our September contest. Anyone previously entered this year will automatically be considered so do not have to be nominated again.

Anyone - whether family, friends, coaches or teachers - who wishes to nominate a sporting youngster should send a letter of no more than 200 words outlining the young person's achievements. Please include a photograph if possible. Send your entries to Taywood/Keighley News Sear-ch for a Sports Star, Keighley News, 80-86 North Street, Keighley, West Yorkshire BD21 3AG.

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