By DAVID COULTER

Published at 09:06, Monday, 13 August 2012

SUCH has been the impression she has made in her debut year in football, Prudhoe lass Chantelle Ree has been signed to Sunderland’s Centre of Excellence.

Star in the making: Chantelle Ree who has been signed to Sunderland’s Centre of Excellence.

The Highfield Middle School pupil has shown great promise since taking up the sport, and she is hoping to continue developing under the expert guidance of the coaches at the club.

Chantelle (11) has always been sporty; a member of Tynedale Harriers and Tynedale Swim Club. But her father Darren Carpena spotted her potential in football last summer in a casual kickabout, and encouraged her to take the sport up.

Despite just being 10 when she started, she was promoted to Wylam Rockettes’ U12 team, meaning she was lining up against players one year older than her.

She moved on to Bedlington Juniors and then caught the eye to earn a call-up to Sunderland.

Mr Carpena said: “Chantelle has only been playing football for a year but she has definitely taken to it like a duck to water.

“I think it is fantastic for a girl her age to show so much potential after a sheer lack of football.

“She has earned a place on her own merit but, with working with top quality coaches, the sky’s the limit and good luck to her.”

Although she has just been in the sport for a short space of time, Chantelle has already mapped out a career path she would like to take.

Mr Carpena said: “She wants to play for England and for Arsenal or Barcelona, but she wants to go to USA and get a scholarship there first.”

Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk