Tre Houston this week moved his career to the United Kingdom where he will team up with world-renowned sprint guru Tony Lester.

The 19-year-old has received a $10,000 grant from Bermuda Olympic Association's (BOA) Delhi Commonwealth Solidarity Fund to cover his relocation costs as he prepares for the biggest year of his career.

In July, Bermuda's top sprinter will represent his country at the CAC Games in Puerto Rico and in October he will be looking to make a name for himself at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

And for the next six months the nephew of former Bermuda track legend Troy Douglas will train at Lester's sprint stable – the home of Olympic gold medallists Mark Lewis-Francis and Marlon Devonish – as well as compete at top UK track meets.

Bermuda Track and Field Association (BTFA) president, Donna Watson, said Lester's sprint camp would be the perfect training environment for Houston and offer him "high level" preparation as he builds towards the 2012 London Olympics.

"Tre has relocated to the UK to train with Tony Lester, we wanted to financially assist him as much as we could to help make this happen," she said.

"Tre will now be exposed to training with the top UK sprinters and will be travelling with them to compete in the top track meets in the UK.

"This will allow him to compete at a high level in preparation for the Commonwealth Games and his eventual goal – the 2012 London Olympics."

In an e-mail sent to Watson, Houston expressed his gratitude to the BOA for their financial assistance.

"Man, you put a big smile on my face. I thank the BOA very much for their funding . . . got to go hard again this year, once again thanks."

Houston's uncle, Douglas, introduced Lester to Watson at the World Championships in Berlin last summer where they discussed the possibility of the Great Britain relay coach and the young sprinter working together.

The pair then met up last month when Lester visited the Island to conduct a coaching workshop at the National Sports Centre.

Yesterday, Watson also revealed that young athletes Jeneko Place, Taylor Ashely-Bean and Trey Simons had each received $1,166 from the BOA as they prepare for the Carifta Games, which will be held in Cayman Island later this year.

Watson said the cash would also help the athletes in their quest to qualify for this year's inaugural Youth Olympic Games in Singapore.

"We are hoping to get them in at least two meets before Carifta to get them ready," Watson said. "This money has come out of the Youth Olympic Solidarity Fund and Tre's is out of the Delhi Commonwealth Solidarity Fund.

"It will assist in their preparation towards the World Youth Olympics. With Bermuda being in the NACAC region, our qualifying event is the Carifta Games where our athletes will probably have to be in the top three in their event for them to be considered for the World Youth Olympics.

"Preparation meets will allow them to compete with athletes who are going to push them and get them tough and ready for the competition at Carifta.

"It is good to give our young athletes that exposure and experience while they are young as this prepares them for the bigger competitions and is great preparation for the world level."

Last month long jumper Tyrone Smith also received $10,000 from the BOA's Delhi Commonwealth Solidarity Fund to help with his temporary move to Southern Europe, where he will train and compete.

Those athletes still looking to book their places in the upcoming Carifta Games will have another opportunity this Saturday when the BTFA host their third track meet of the season at the National Sports Centre (NSC).

The meet beginsat 1p.m. and will be organised by the Flyers Track Club.