TEENAGE world champion Emma Wilson is one of 50 youngsters to prosper from the ‘Rising Stars for 2012’ cash incentive.

The 13-year-old Mudeford schoolgirl was selected for her exceptional windsurfing achievements.

Emma won the under-15 event at the World Windsurfing Championship in San Francisco last August, despite being a few years younger than many of her rivals.

Her mother and coach Penny is a three-times windsurfing world champion, while her brother Daniel is also a member of the RYA national junior windsurfing squad.

Emma was considered for the award through SportsAid, who select candidates who have been recommended by their sport’s own national governing body.

“To be nominated for a SportsAid award by the RYA, all athletes have proven they can perform against others in their age group and are on the RYA’s youth and junior pathway,” said James Tilley, the RYA’s youth racing operations officer.

Emma, who is also a keen hockey player, received her bursary from London 2012 gold prospect Jessica Ennis at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield.

Also present at the ceremony was Manchester United and England international footballer Rio Ferdinand.

Track and field star Ennis and Ferdinand are sports ambassadors for the Jaguar Academy of Sport, who organise the ‘Rising Stars for 2012’ project.

Emma’s long-term goal is to win a windsurfing gold medal in the 2016 Olympics in Brazil.

Over the next year, Emma has targeted a top-five finish in the under-17 Worlds and Europeans.

Apart from her under-15 world championship gold, Emma has also won golds at national and European level over the past 12 months.

Emma and her brother Daniel attend the Bournemouth Collegiate School sports academy.