Any young athlete would dream of training alongside a world champion ? and that?s exactly what Nick Kyme will be doing as he begins a new life for himself in Belgium.

The world number 65 left the Island last week and is now based in Antwerp ? the adopted home of Bermuda resident and recently-crowned World Open champion David Palmer.

Kyme has been friendly with Palmer ever since the Australian became a resident over four years ago ? but he has never had the chance to train with him on an extended basis.

They actually played each other in the first round of this April?s Virtual Spectator Bermuda Masters, where the boisterous support of a capacity crowd was not enough to stop the 25-year-old local going down in straight games.

But as Kyme looks to get inside the world?s top 50 within 12 months, the experience of training with a man of Palmer?s class and discipline should prove invaluable.

?With Dave winning the World Open just last week there is a lot of excitement around the place and it will be fantastic being around him,? Kyme said yesterday.

?Dave is a friend of mine and he is an incredibly driven person. Everything he does is about becoming a better player and if something comes up which gets in the way, he is pretty ruthless in dismissing it.

?Just hanging around a person with that mentality should help me. He needs hitting partners and he needs people to play practice matches against, and I?ll always be there if he wants me to be.

?The chance to train with and learn from a world champion does not come along every day. Dave is in England at the moment at the British Open and there will be times during the year when one of us is off playing in tournaments. But when we are here together I?m hoping to get as much from him as I can.?

The lack of money in squash compared to many other sports is no secret.

Kyme has been a touring professional for more for than three years and has never generated enough income to be self-sufficient ? relying on the support of his family and some generous private sponsorship.

His living arrangements in Antwerp reflect this.

He?s currently housed in a block of student flats not far from the squash club, where 20 people share one bathroom and toilet.

There?s no washing machine either ? ?not ideal for a squash player? he admits ? and he has been forced to take his laundry to a friend?s house.

But given how much time he will be out training or travelling the world, Kyme is not too bothered by his situation.

?It?s not exactly luxurious, but as all I?m going to be doing basically is sleeping here I?m not too worried,? he said.

?I?m here to play and improve and though I?ve only been here a week, it was obvious straight away that the difference between living and training here compared to back at home would be like night and day.

?I?m training with two young guys who have just come on to the tour recently and we?re on court for two sessions every day on top of whatever gym work we have to do.

?It?s great because I?m no longer tempted to miss a session or stop a bit early ? you just cannot do that when there?s another guy alongside you busting his guts.?

Kyme?s first tournament of the new season starts on September 24 ? the Hungarian Open in Budapest.