National academy striker Jahkari Furbert is to have trials at English Championship side West Ham United.Bermuda Football Association have been granted $4,329 from the Ministry of Sport to cover the costs of sending Furbert to train with the Hammers.Furbert, who plays for Dandy Town, received his award at yesterday’s National Junior Youth Sponsorship Programme ceremony at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess Hotel.Several National Academy players have had tryouts with West Ham in recent years including Paul Douglas and Rai Simons, both past recipients of Ministry of Sport grants, and Amar Lewis.West Ham’s International Academy entered a mutually beneficial partnership with the Bermuda Football Association (BFA) two years ago, which gives the Hammers first pick of the national academy’s best youngsters.BFA director of player development, Devarr Boyles, said Furbert, a 13-year-old Whitney Institute pupil, had shown plenty of promise while training in the National Academy.“This is the first time we’ve picked someone (for trials) so young,” he said. “The earlier we can get him into this sort of environment can only bode well for him in making the step up.“We think he has a chance (to make it) and we’re giving the opportunity to train with a professional football club.”Junior Minister of Youth, Families and Sports, Diallo Rabain, handed out around $60,000 to 14 different sports governing bodies, at yesterday’s ceremony.Bermuda national team cricketer Joshua Gilbert, 18, received $6,372 to attend the Norfolk Cricket Academy in the UK where he will further develop his skills.The Somerset Cricket Club spinner said: “It’s a nice opportunity and a real blessing for me. I’m just trying to become the best player I can be and help push Bermuda cricket forward.”Baseball player Jacinto Brown, 17, was awarded $4,082 that will enable him to compete for the North American Prospects IMG Academy Baseball Team in Rome, Italy.Marquise Cann, a top junior cyclist, who finished third in last year’s Sinclair Packwood Memorial Race, was handed $5,237 to take part in this summer’s Longsjo Classic, and attend a training camp in Austerlitz, US.Promising golfer Justin Dixon-Watts, 16, received $5,980 to cover the costs of sending him to the IMG Academy in Florida for two weeks where he will have lessons from a local professional and take part in the HJGT Tournament in October.Triathlete Justin Ferreira, 15, will attend the USAT Skills Camp West in California after being awarded a grant of $6,372, while Bermuda hockey goalkeeper Latonia Fray, 16, will head to a training camp at the University of Maryland after receiving $2,835.UK-based tennis player Jack Keyes, 17, was given a grant of $4,329 to attend an intensive training camp in Paris, France; squash player D’Vario Thompson, 15, was the recipient of $3,400 to allow him to play in the CASA Championships in Jamaica and the Canadian Open Championships.Silver medallist at the recent Carifta Games, Kyrah Scraders received a grant of $5,500 so she can continue her progress by competing at the Russell E Blunt East Coast Invitational Championship, the United Age Group Coaches Championships and the Division 1 NCAA Track and Field Championships in Iowa.Sailor Owen Siese, who finished 14th at the Orange Bowl International Regatta in Miami, was handed $5,100 to attend the 2012 UK National Championships in Wales and the Youth National Championships in Dublin, Ireland.Warwick Academy student Khaleb Tota, 15, received a sum of $6,500 to assist in his development in equestrian. He will be attending the Hunting Valley Training and Development Programme for three weeks.Golden boy Jesse Washington, who claimed seven medals including five gold, at the recent Carifta Swimming Championships in Bahamas, was awarded $4,714 to further hone skills. The 12-year-old will be heading to compete in the Caribbean Island Swimming Championship in Aruba.Asante Chapman, who was nominated for the Bermuda Junior Athlete of the Year award, received $3,960 to have trials at the Surrey County Netball Academy.