THE shortlist for the 2020 Bradford Sports Awards has been announced, with Keighley teams featuring prominently in the fifth edition of the now-annual ceremony.

Keighley Cougars, who battled back from financial devastation and a 12-point deduction to earn eight victories in Betfred League One last year, are up for the Professional Club of the Year award alongside Bradford Bulls and Bradford City.

Meanwhile, their female counterparts Keighley Albion Ladies (now rebranded as Cougars Ladies) are up for Amateur Club of the Year, after a stellar 2019 saw them gain promotion from League One and get a taste of playing at Cougar Park.

And rounding off the team nominations, Keighley and Craven AC Juniors (athletics) are up for Young Team of the Year alongside Alpha United Juniors Football Club and Great Horton Church Cricket Club.

One athlete from the club has made it on to the individual shortlist too. Maisey Bellwood, a star Under-13 runner who is a regular winner or podium finisher in West Yorkshire League and County Championship races, is up for the Young Female Sportsperson of the Year award.

She is not the only young runner to be recognised, with Steeton's Alex Thompson one of the three nominees for Young Male Sportsperson of the Year.

Meanwhile, Horizon Taekwondo, which has clubs all around the Bradford district, including in Keighley and Silsden, has several individuals from its clubs nominated.

Ellie Bowden is in the running for Sportswoman of the Year, while Farah Yasin and Steven Birkin go up against each other in the Disability Sportsperson of the Year category.

On top of that, primary school star Jayden Simpson-Kidd, the son of Horizon coaches Rick Simpson and Natalie Simpson-Kidd (both of Silsden) is up for Young Male Sportsperson of the Year.

Finally, Dylan Lightowler, who is a talented sprinter, shot putter and long jumper, is one of the three contenders for the Young Disability Sportsperson of the Year.

He competes for Bradford Disability Sport & Leisure, who train at University Academy Keighley.

This year has seen another record amount of nominations, which is testimony to the incredible achievements and success stories seen throughout sports in Bradford.

Aside from the Keighley nominations, there were a couple of international stars on the shortlist, announced on Active Bradford's Twitter page this week.

Adil Rashid, who was a key part of the World Cup winning England cricket team, is up for Sportsman of the Year, while Bulls and England star Amy Hardcastle could scoop Sportswoman of the Year.

Wayne Jacobs, Chairperson of the awards’ organisers, Active Bradford, said: “We have a lot of amazing people in our district. We have people who have achieved success, both personal to them and in the sporting world.

“We also have people who give their emotions and energy to others for them to be able to achieve their successes. It’s fantastic to hear more about these people and to be able to celebrate their achievements with them.”

The awards ceremony will be held at Valley Parade on Thursday, March 12.