British sport enjoyed a stellar 2008, from gold medal glory at the Olympic and Paralympic Games to a world championship in Formula One for Lewis Hamilton, Joe Calzaghe punching his weight in the boxing ring, Manchester United's Champions League triumph and Andy Murray rising to a career best No4 in the world tennis rankings. It has all served to inspire a new generation of British talent. But who are these young guns with the sporting X-factor? Standard Sport presents the teenagers shooting for the stars in 2009.

TENNIS: LAURA ROBSON

The new darling of the British women's game after winning the Wimbledon Junior Girls' Championship at the age of 14. In November, Robson exploited her fast serve and aggressive play to claim her maiden senior title at a Futures Tournament in Sunderland. But just before Christmas she tore a stomach muscle and that may rule her out of this month's Australian Open.

Venus Williams says: "It is amazing what she has done. I am really rooting for her. It's so important to develop your game during the stage in her career that she is at now. I hope that she and everyone around her focus on that."

ATHLETICS: SHAUNNA THOMPSON

A 16-year-old sprinter with Sale Harriers in Manchester whose dream of running for Great Britain in the London Olympics is being part-funded to the tune of £30,000 by five millionaires she faced on a TV show. Thompson began repaying their faith by claiming a gold medal double at the Commonwealth Youth Games in October, setting championship records at 100m and 200m.

Thompson says: "Facing the millionaires was so scary. Jeffrey Archer used to do athletics and was really interested in my PBs. Duncan Bannatyne asked if my mum and dad helped me out, and I was so nervous I burst into tears. But the Youth Games have given me a real hunger to take on the best in the world and really push myself for success in 2012."

CRICKET: STEVEN FINN

Right-arm, fast-medium bowler from Watford who, at the age of 16, became the youngest Middlesex debutant since Fred Titmus in 1949. Three years on, he has already toured with junior England teams and was selected for the 2008 Under-19 World Cup in Malaysia. Finn, who is 6ft 8ins tall, has also played basketball to county level.

Finn says: "There has been a lot of pressure and hype put on me but I like to think I'm strong enough to deal with it. I try to focus on my game, not focus on what has been said or written.

"I'm learning every day and, hopefully, getting better. It's been difficult at times but I try and keep hitting the top of off-stump more often that not."

FOOTBALL: JOHN BOSTOCK

The midfielder from Camberwell who, against Cardiff City in November 2007 when aged 15 years and 287 days, became the youngest Crystal Palace player to start a first-team game. Last May the England Under-17 captain moved to Tottenham where he made his competitive debut in November in the 4-0 UEFA Cup victory over Dinamo Zagreb. At 16 years and 295 days Bostock became Spurs' youngest first-team player, beating Ally Dick's record by six days.

Spurs manager Harry Redknapp says: "He is certainly a special young player. I saw John at Crystal Palace and he looked a terrific talent. He's got a lovely left foot. How far he goes will be up to him and how hard he works. I've had loads of schoolboy players who look like world beaters who haven't made it."

GOLF: RORY McILROY

In November, aged 19 years and 202 days, McIlroy became the youngest player to break into the world's top 50 and he has now secured his first invitation to the Masters in April.

Born in Hollywood, Northern Ireland, McIlroy was in the 2004 Junior Ryder Cup team and two years later won the European Amateur Championship. After representing Great Britain and Ireland in the 2007 Walker Cup McIlroy then turned professional.

Padraig Harrington says: "Rory's a very nice young lad who has confidence but not the cockiness which sometimes goes with it. Cockiness can lead people to hope that a player falls flat on his face. Expectations and pressure from the public and the media are the hardest things to deal with at such a young age but he's the most capable 19-year-old to deal with those issues."

MOTOR: SPORT SCOTT REDDING

Became the youngest winner of a round of the world motor cycling championship round he claimed the 125cc race in the British Grand Prix at Donington in June. The Gloucestershire-born rider, who was 15 years and 170 days, also became the first Briton to win on home tarmac since Ian McConnachie took the 80cc race at Silverstone in 1986. This year Redding will race a factory Aprilla in the 125cc title chase.

McConnachie says: "Scott is a really hard-working lad and deserved his success. He has raced in Spain, where they love 125cc racing, and proved himself against their best riders. It's a tribute to him that he has got to where he has. There has been some vast commitment by his family and friends and they also deserve credit for helping him on his way. People need to take notice of this lad."

RACING: RHYS FLINT

A 17-year-old with choirboy looks and the touch of an angel on the reins. The Welsh lad, who played rugby to district level, first displayed promise on the Pony Racing circuit before romping to 25 wins and two novice titles in point-to-point. He is now studying for his apprentice qualification while riding for Philip Hobbs, the Somerset-based trainer.

Hobbs says: "He's had a fantastic beginning and is very level-headed. He's the first 17-year-old to have ridden a double at Cheltenham and he wasn't overwhelmed by that achievement. Rhys is obviously very talented and has the right temperament to go right to the top if everything goes right for him."

RUGBY UNION: OWEN FARRELL

The son of rugby league great Andy Farrell, now co-captain of Saracens. Playing at centre, just like his dad, Farrell Jnr starred for England Under 16s last season and in October, 11 days after his 17th birthday, the Harpenden student became the youngest player in English professional rugby when he came off the bench for Saracens against Llanelli Scarlets.

Andy Farrell says: "How good could he be? I don't know. I never knew how good I was going to be at 16 or 17. But he has a good attitude, is well grounded and works very hard. He is dedicated and appreciates there will be difficult times ahead. Physically, he is a big lad but he'll need to put some weight on. But you don't know at what rate he will develop. We'll just have to see what nature brings."