Official Welcome for VI athletes ahead of Opening Ceremony. McMaster flagbearer

The BVI delegation attend the welcome reception and flag raising ceremony at the Gold Coast 2018 Village. Photo: Mark Latimer/BVICGA

The Virgin Islands athletes and delegates attended the official welcome and flag raising ceremony at the Gold Coast 2018 Athletes’ Village on Tuesday, April 2.

The event precedes the official start of the 21st Commonwealth Games when the Queen’s Baton – which toured through the Virgin Islands July 2 – 4, 2017 – is run into the Carrara Stadium and the Queen’s message to the athletes is removed from the Baton and read to the athletes. This Opening ceremony will take place at 7.00pm on April 4 (5:00am, Wednesday, April 4, VI time) where Kyron McMaster will lead the VI contingent of 10 athletes and 5 coaches as the flag bearer. The VI team will be sporting an outfit styled by VI designer, Kristin Fraser of Trèfle BVI.

The 10 athletes will represent the territory in two sports starting with Joe Chapman and Neville Sorrentino in the men’s Squash singles on Thursday, April 5.

Track and field competitions for the VI’s athletes will begin with Tahesia Harrigan-Scott in the women’s 100m heats starting at 2:00pm on Sunday, April 8 (midnight, Saturday, April 7, VI time) followed by Khari Herbert in the men’s 400m at 3.25pm (1.25am, Sunday, April 8, VI time), and Eldred Henry in the men’s Shot Put at 4.35pm (2.35am, Sunday, April 8, VI time).

Ashley Kelly will run in the 400m heats at 10.30am on Monday, April 9 (8.30pm, Sunday, April 8, VI time).

Kyron McMaster will debut in the Commonwealth Games with the 400m Hurdles heats at 11.15 am on Tuesday, April 10 (9.15pm, Monday, April 9, VI time), followed by Tynelle Gumbs in the Hammer Throw at 8.40 pm (6.40 am, Tuesday, April 10, VI time).

Chantel Malone will compete in the Long Jump at 7.00pm on Wednesday, April 11 (5.00am, VI time).

Eldred will then throw the Discus at 10.00am on Thursday, April 12 (8.00pm, Wednesday, April 11, VI time) and Trevia Gumbs will hurl the Shot Put at 12.15pm (10.15 pm, Wednesday, April 11, VI time). Trevia and twin sister, Tynelle will then compete in the Discus throw at 8.40pm that night (6.40am, Thursday, April 12, VI time).

The Games will be broadcast via Flow Sports Live and Flow’s mobile customers will also have live access via WiFi or Mobile Data to the Games via the Flow Sports 1 App. Live coverage on the Flow Sports Networks will start each evening at 7pm Eastern Caribbean Time and extend well into the late-night hours. Caribbean fans can also follow live Commonwealth Games events each morning, which is evening in Australia.

Supporters who want to follow the events and competition live must subtract 14 hours from the times scheduled on the official Gold Coast 2018 web site (www.gc2018.com).

To date the VI has participated in 7 Commonwealth Games, the first being in athletics in Auckland, New Zealand in 1990. The Gold Coast 2018 Games will be the territory’s 8th appearance and is the first major international event since the 2016 Summer Olympic Games.

With more than 6,600 athletes and team officials from 71 Commonwealth nations and territories from 6 continents coming together to participate in the Friendly Games, organizers of the GC2018 say that this will be the largest sporting event that Australia will see this decade and will be the biggest sporting spectacular the Gold Coast has ever seen.

The Commonwealth Games Federation vision is to build peaceful, sustainable and prosperous communities globally by inspiring Commonwealth Athletes to drive the impact and ambition of all Commonwealth Citizens through Sport. The vision, mission and values of the Commonwealth Sports Movement hinge on three core values: Humanity, Equality, and Destiny.

#TeamBVI settle in ahead of Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games

The first arrivals of #teambvi at the Gold Coast 2018 Games have dinner at the Village on March 27. Photo: BVICGA

The complete British Virgin Islands contingent attending the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games is now in Australia ready for the Opening Ceremony on April 4 when over 6,600 athletes and team officials from 71 nations and territories will converge on the Gold Coast for an 11 day sporting and cultural event.

Planning to deal with the challenges of competing in a country which is 14 hours ahead of local Eastern Standard Time, athletes started to arrive into the Gold Coast from March 27 to work on adjusting their body clock and acclimate to the weather, which varies between warm and sunny days and cooler, wet ones.

Chef de Mission, Mark Chapman, got to the Athletes’ Village on March 26 to ensure that all was in place for a smooth transition for the team. The BVICGA assistants Kathrine and Lynne, who were assigned by the organizers of the Games, worked alongside the CGA attaché, former VI resident, Julie Pearson to get the accommodation comfortable and the uniforms sorted.

The first batch of the ten competing athletes and the coaches to be welcomed by the Chef de Mission were Ashley Kelly (200m), Chantel Malone (Long Jump), Tahesia Harrigan-Scott (1oom), Khari Herbert (400m), and Kyron McMaster (400m Hurdles) along with coaches, Joey Scott, Winston Potter, and Teymahl Huggins.

Some of the athletes went to the track that day while others had treatment with the team resident physio, Mark Latimer to shake out the journey.

“Everyone is in good spirits despite their long flights and the camaraderie and humour amongst them is infectious and invigorating,” said the Chef de Mission.  “We had a pleasant dinner all together in the main dining hall and everyone was able to connect with old friends from other nations, which apart from the sport itself, is one of the ways in which the Commonwealth Games is unique in bringing cultures and friendships across boundaries together.”

The athletes have rated the practice facilities first class and the athletes took full advantage of the polyclinic before it got too busy over the weekend.

Throwing coach, Omar Jones arrived on Thursday, March 29. That same day some of the athletes went to the training venue whilst others had a gym day at the village.

BVICGA President, Ephraim Penn and Secretary General, Lloyd Black, arrived into Gold Coast on March 30 in time for the CGF General Assembly on March 31.

On April 1, Das Surapaneni, a guest of the BVICGA, arrived. Now retired, Das who was a PE teacher for many years at the BVI High School (now the Elmore Stoutt High School) made great contributions to sport in the territory.

Athletes also took things up a notch again at the gym and the track on Easter Sunday.

“Everyone is very relaxed and enjoying quiet and calm in this mid-period between recovery from travel and their final event preparation,” reported the Chef de Mission.

The final complement of athletes and coaches arrived early in the morning on Monday, April 2 when Squash players Joe Chapman, and Neville Sorrentino – both playing in the singles and doubles – and their coach, Adam Murrills and the remaining 3 field athletes, Eldred Henry (Discus and Shot Put), Trevia Gumbs (Discus, Shot Put), and Tynelle Gumbs (Discus, Hammer Throw)received a a warm welcome into the village.

The 21st Commonwealth Games will be broadcast via Flow Sports Live and Flow’s mobile customers will also have live access via WiFi or Mobile Data to the Games via the Flow Sports 1 App. Live coverage on the Flow Sports Networks will start each evening at 7pm Eastern Caribbean Time and extend well into the late-night hours. Caribbean fans can also follow live Commonwealth Games events each morning, which is evening in Australia.

Supporters who want to follow the events and competition live must subtract 14 hours from the times scheduled on the official Gold Coast 2018 web site (www.gc2018.com).

Harneys BVI Squash Championships 2018 underway

By BVI Squash Racket Association

18-year old Jesus Camacho (Mexico), beat PSA World ranked #82 Adam Murrills, (England), 3-1 to win the 2016 PSA British Virgin Islands Open Championships.

The Professional Squash Association (PSA) World Tour returns to the BVI as the Harneys BVI Squash Championships 2018 and gets underway at the Tortola Sports Club in Pasea Estate from Tuesday, February 20 to Saturday, February 24, 2018.

Professional Squash players from USA, England, the Cayman Islands, Mexico, Guatemala and Liberia will mix it up on court with home-grown entries. 

Local squash players, Neville Sorrentino, Dion Anselm, Jonathan Addo, Joe Chapman and Mike Adamson will be competing against the accomplished international players.

Last year’s runner up Adam Murrills from England, seeded in the #2 slot, will be looking to take this year’s trophy but faces tough competition from the #1 seed, USA’s Christopher Gordon. Matches will be toughly contested with $5,000 in total prize money up for grabs.

Last year’s final was 63 minutes of thrilling squash when 18-year-old, Mexican Jesus Camacho took on seasoned England campaigner, Adam Murrills with both players delighting the crowd with intense squash for over an hour.

Game 1 was neck and neck throughout with Jesus saving match ball at 10-9 then taking the next three points to win game 1. Adam came out aggressively in game 2 and marched out quickly to an 8-0 lead. Jesus conserved his energy, only trying to hit winners, and Adam squared the match easily winning game 2 by 11-1.

Another momentum change at the start of game 3, as Jesus quickened the pace dramatically putting extreme pressure on Adam for the first time in the match. The smoothness from Adam’s game was gone as he had less time on every shot and Jesus had taken game 3 by 11-3 in double quick time. Adam regrouped for game 4 and it was neck and neck throughout. Adam was hitting some grand winners including an overhead backhand crosscourt into the nick but it came at a cost as a few errors were creeping into his game.

With all to play for at 8-9, Jesus sharpened his concentration and quickened the pace once more to take the last two points and the championship by three games to one. The crowd roared its approval at the vintage gladiatorial spectacle as the players were clearly physically and emotionally drained.

Jesus Camacho, current champion said at the time,“My first PSA win. I must tell my family. I am so happy! Thank you!”

Adam Murrills, runner up said, “I gave it my best shot today but Jesus keeps it so fast and tight and doesn’t make many mistakes. A tough loss today but congratulations to the youngster. But what a great tournament and a fabulous country! I’ve lost count of the number of times I have visited the BVI and its always extraordinary.”

Mark Chapman, BVI Squash President said, “Without doubt, whether you know Squash or not, this will truly be amongst the best in the sport ever seen in the BVI. Our thanks to our platinum sponsor, Harneys, who have joined us this year and also to Deloitte and National Bank of the Virgin Islands who have been our sponsors since inception in 2012.”

VI athletes get set for Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games

By BVICGA

VI athletes selected to compete at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, Australia from April 4 – 15, 2018 are (clockwise from top left): Chantel Malone (Long Jump), Kyron McMaster (400M Hurdles), Khari Herbert (400m), Joseph Chapman (Singles and Doubles Squash), Neville Sorrentino (Singles and Doubles Squash), Tahesia Harrigan-Scott (100m), Ashley Kelly (400m), Tynelle Gumbs (Discus and Hammer Throw), Trevia Gumbs (Discus and Shot Put), Eldred Henry (Discus and Shot Put). Photo: BVIOC

The Virgin Islands will be represented by ten athletes in two sports at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games which will be held on the East coast of Australia from April 4 – 15, 2018.

The BVI Olympic Committee (BVIOC) in its capacity as the Commonwealth Games Association (CGA), is the local entity responsible for managing and undertaking the administration requirements for participation. The CGA also serves as the body to whom National Federations present their qualified athletes to undergo the selection process.

The following athletes have been selected based on their performance in the national and international arena:

Track and Field athletes include Ashley Kelly (400m), Chantel Malone (Long Jump), Tahesia Harrigan-Scott (100m), Tynelle Gumbs (Discus and Hammer Throw), Trevia Gumbs (Discus and Shot Put), Eldred Henry (Discus and Shot Put), Khari Herbert (400m), and Kyron McMaster (400m Hurdles).

Squash players include Joe Chapman (Squash Singles and Doubles), and Neville Sorrentino (Squash Singles and Doubles).

Commending the athletes on their selection, CGA President, Ephraim Penn said, “The Commonwealth Games is one of the five main international sporting events that VI athletes aspire to compete in and it’s not easy to be selected. We have a restriction on the number of athletes that can take part in the Games based on our past participation, and the selected sports men and women should be justifiably proud that their hard work and commitment has paid off. We are excited to be heading off with what is perhaps one of the largest and strongest teams to represent the territory at these Games.”

Noting further that the August floods, and Hurricanes Irma and Maria caused severe damage to sporting facilities in the VI resulting in the set back of the progress of sports in the territory, Mr. Penn said “We recognize the effort, determination and perseverance required by the athletes to stay on track despite the challenges that they faced from the impact of the storms on their homes, their families and not least, the tragic loss of Athletics head coach, Dag Samuels. The CGA highly commends and congratulates all those selected and looks forward to the positive impact a successful Games will have on the morale of all our athletes and the territory.”

Events are spread out over a number of venues and the Gold Coast’s Carrara Stadium will be the venue for Athletics and the opening and closing ceremonies, while Squash will be held at Oxenford.

“I visited the Gold Coast 2018 venues at the end of 2017 and was impressed with the facilities that await our athletes,” said Mr. Mark Chapman, Chef De Mission for GC2018. “Australia is a long-haul trip and many of our athletes will begin their journey in a few weeks so that they can settle in, acclimate and get on with their training regime ahead of their events. I am in regular contact with the athletes and coaches both directly and through the National Federations to ensure that everyone is informed and well prepared for these exciting Games.”

Officials attending the Games include Mark Chapman, Chef de Mission; Julie Pearson, Attaché; Athletics coaches Loren Seagrave, Joey Scott, Winston Potter, and Omar Jones; and Squash coach Adam Murrills. Mark Latimer will be the Team Physio.

The BVI CGA will be represented by President, Ephraim Penn and Secretary General, Lloyd Black.

It is expected that Dr. The Honourable Kedrick Pickering will also be in attendance as a representative of the Virgin Islands.

Conducted every four years since inception in 1930, the GC2018 will be the 21st edition of the sporting event known as the Friendly Games. To date the VI has participated in 7 Commonwealth Games, the first being in athletics in Auckland, New Zealand in 1990. The Gold Coast 2018 Games will be the territory’s 8th appearance and is the first major international event since the 2016 Summer Olympic Games.

The GC2018 opening ceremony will kick off when the Queen’s Baton Relay – the pre-cursor to the Commonwealth Games which toured through the Virgin Islands July 2 – 4, 2017 – is run into the Carrara Stadium and the Queen’s message to the athletes is removed from the Baton and read to the athletes.

With more than 6,600 athletes and team officials expected from 70 Commonwealth nations and territories from 6 continents to come together to participate in the Friendly Games, organizers of the GC2018 say that this will be the largest sporting event that Australia will see this decade and will be the biggest sporting spectacular the Gold Coast has ever seen.

The Commonwealth Games Federation vision is to build peaceful, sustainable and prosperous communities globally by inspiring Commonwealth Athletes to drive the impact and ambition of all Commonwealth Citizens through Sport. The vision, mission and values of the Commonwealth Sports Movement hinge on three core values: Humanity, Equality, and Destiny.

NLA XXV Senior Caribbean Squash Championships underway

By BVI Squash Rackets Association

BVI’s Joe Chapman, representing the OECS makes it through to the semi-finals of the Senior Caribbean Individual Championships 2017. Photo: BVISRA

The NLA XXV Senior Caribbean Squash Championships take place August 13-19, 2017 at the National Squash Centre Paul’s Avenue, Kingstown, St. Vincent.

The Senior Caribbean Individual Championships 2017 kicked off on Sunday, August 13 and will continue through to Tuesday, August 15 when the finals will take place.

BVI’s Joe Chapman (jointly seeded 3/4 with Micah Franklin of Bermuda) representing the OECS,  has played and won all of his matches to make it through to the semi-finals. He will play against number 2 seed, Cameron Stafford of the Cayman Islands at 7:00pm Monday, August 14.

Other players representing the OECS in the Men’s Individuals include Colin Alexander, Othniel Bailey, James Bentick, Kai Bentick, Paul Cyrus, Jason Doyle, Dominic Ross, Geronimo Ross, Jules Snagg, and Omari Wilson.

Thandi Myers, Deiriai Myers, and Mikal Quashie represented in the OECS Women’s Indviduals.

Men and Women’s teams representing Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Guyana, the OECS, and Trinidad & Tobago begin the Senior Caribbean Team Championships 2017 matches on Wednesday, August 16.

The OECS Men’s Team comprises Joe Faragher-Kneipp (BVI), Joseph Chapman (BVI), Jules Snagg (SVG), Jason Doyle (SVG), Kevin Hannaway (SVG),with Kai Bentick (SVG), and Othniel Bailey (SVG) as team reserves.

James Bentick (SVG) Neville Sorrentino (BVI), and Keith Boyea (SVG), will represent the OECS Vet’s team in the 40+, 50+ and 60+ categories respectively.

The OECS Women’s Team includes Daniela Schumann (BVI), Zoe Sorrentino (BVI), Caroline Dubois (BVI), Musonda Poole (BVI), Thandi Myers (SVG), and team reserves, Glasgow Amber (SVG), and Deiriai Myers (SVG).

The OECS Women’s Vets team will see Greta Primus (SVG) in the 40+ category, and Sherian Slater (SVG) playing in the 50+.

The OECS Team Manager is Mark Chapman.

Senior Caribbean Individual Championships 2017 results.

Senior Caribbean Team Championships 2017 results.

Queen’s Baton Relay leads BVI athletes to Bahamas 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games

BVI athletes, tennis coach and Chef for the Bahamas 2017 Copmmonwealth Youth Games with the BVI Commonwealth Games Association, Mrs. Brenda Lettsome-Tye for the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports, and Mrs. Angeleta Bernard, Chef for the previous youth games in Delhi, Isle of Man, and Samoa. Photo: BVIOC

The BVI Olympic Committee (BVIOC) in its capacity as the Commonwealth Games Association (BVICGA) introduced the itinerary and route of the upcoming Gold Coast 2018 Queen’s Baton Relay which heralds that start of the quadrennially held Commonwealth Games and announced the 8 young athletes that will be attending the Bahamas 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games.

The BVI delegation to the Bahamas 2017 CYG (July 18 – 23) was introduced by Ms. Sabinah Clement, Chef de Mission for the Games at a media briefing at the BVIOC office on Monday, June 19.

The BVI team comprises Arianna Hayde (Long Jump and Javelin), Rackeel Jack (400m), Joshua Hill (400m), Mikkel Bassue (100m and 200m), Beyonce Defreitas (200m), Djimon Gumbs and Diamante Gumbs (both competing in Shot Put and Discus), and Adrian Baijnauth (Tennis). The team will be accompanied by Track Coach, Willis Todman, Field Coach, Omar Jones and Tennis Coach, Malcolm Dabre.

The athletes will take part in the Gold Coast 2018 Queen’s Baton Relay when it tours through the communities of Tortola, Jost Van Dyke and Virgin Gorda in a series of public activities and relays planned for Monday, July 3 and Tuesday, July 4, 2017.

“The Queen’s Baton Relay is a unifying event that invites members of the Commonwealth and the Overseas Territories to showcase their country, culture, hospitality, communities, and sports. It is a unique event and an occasion for all who reside in the BVI to come together in the spirit of friendship and unity and we strongly urge everyone to make an effort to join in where they can,” said Mr. Ephraim Penn, President of the BVI Commonwealth Games Association.

The full programme starts with the official welcome reception on Monday, July 3 from 9.00am to 10.00am at the Noel Lloyd Positive Action Movement Park when the baton is officially handed over to the Premier and the Virgin Islands.

The public relay will then start with the first baton bearer on a route through Road Town to take in the Tortola Pier Park, Waterfront Drive, Queen Elizabeth Park, Old Government House, the Adina Donovan Home for the Elderly, Sir Olva Georges Plaza, Main Street, Botanic Station and ending at the A.O. Shirley Recreation Ground.

The baton will then be driven to the Ebenezer Thomas Primary School in Sea Cow’s Bay where the students will be back at school with a short presentation to welcome the QBR.

The relay will then continue to Manuel Reef and the baton will be sailed to Nanny Cay aboard a Tortola Sloop and a flotilla of dinghies. At 3.00pm the relay will pass through Cane Garden Bay from De Wedding heading east to Quito’s.

A relay supported by residents will pass through Great Harbour at 4.00pm before the baton is transported back to Tortola.

On Wednesday, July 4, the Deputy Premier will speak at a public welcome ceremony at the Walters Recreation Park, Spanish Town, Virgin Gorda from 9.00am – 10.00am. The baton then will be handed over for a relay through the Valley up to the Baths. All residents of Virgin Gorda and Anegada are encouraged to participate.

The baton will arrive back to Tortola at 4.30pm where it will be received by cyclists at Trellis Bay and ridden across the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge and handed over for a relay on foot through Long Look, the Sticket and East End and end at the Greenlands Playing Field.

A cultural presentation by traditional musicians, dancers and performers to include performances by the Australian resident community will form part of the official closing ceremony starting at 6:00pm at the Central Administration Complex. The evening will end with music and local food and refreshments on sale.

The key stakeholders involved in the planning and hosting of events include the Office of the Governor, the Office of the Premier, the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports including the Departments of Culture, and Youth Affairs and Sports, the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, the BVI Tourist Board and GIS.

Event sponsors include the Government of the Virgin Islands, the BVI Bank Association – Banco Popular, CIBC FirstCaribbean, FirstBank, National Bank of the Virgin Islands and VP Bank – Premier Dental, Harneys, Meridian Construction, BVI Painters, Road Town Wholesale, Eureka Medical and Bougainvillea Clinic.

National Federations, schools, and Community and Social Groups will be supporting the event in the form of volunteers and participation in the relays as they pass through various districts.

The baton, which contains the message from the Queen to the athletes competing in the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia in April 2018, and international crew will arrive from Anguilla on Saturday, July 1 at 7.00pm and will depart for Jamaica on Wednesday, July 5, 2017.

The last time the Queen’s Baton Relay toured the BVI was ahead of the Glasgow 2014 games.

More information can be found on www.bviolympics.org. Anyone who wishes to volunteer or who would like more information on the Gold Coast 2018 Queen’s Baton Relay event in the VI can contact the BVI Olympic Committee on 496 6007.

BVI brings home 2017 Senior OECS Squash Champion title

By BVI Squash Racket Association

The BVI, represented by 15 players, took the overall Championship title playing against St Vincent and The Grenadines and St Lucia in the Senior OECS Individual and Team Championships which took place June 1 – 3, 2017 in St Vincent and the Grenadines. Photo: Provided

The British Virgin Islands (BVI) were represented by 15 players competing against St Vincent and The Grenadines (SVG) and St Lucia in the Senior OECS Individual and Team Championships which took place in SVG, June 1 – 3, 2017.

Securing the most points during the tournament, BVI brought home the title of Overall Senior OECS Squash Champions.

BVI took top spots in the Men’s Individuals won by Joseph Chapman, Joe Faragher-Kneipp in the Men’s 40+, and Neville Sorrentino in the Men’s 50+.

BVI also came first in the Women’s Individuals which was won by Daniela Schumann.

BVI continued to shine in the Men’s Vet Team when Joe Faragher-Kneipp beat James Bentick (SVG) 3:0 in the Men’s 40+, Neville Sorrentino won 3:1 against Colin Alexander (SVG) in the Men’s 50+, and Winston Findlay took the match 3:1 against Keith Boyea (SVG) in the Men’s 60+.

In the Women’s Team, Daniela Schumann beat Giovanna Miller-Alexander in 3 straight games as did Zoe Sorrentino playing against Gianna Miller-Alexander (SVG).

BVI players included Michael Adamson, Dion Anselm, Anthony Campbell, Joseph Chapman, Mark Chapman, Paul Cowlard, Caroline Dubois, Joe Faragher-Kneipp, Winston Findlay, Tatenda Gotosa, Daniela Schumann, Neville Sorrentino, Sue Sorrentino, Zoe Sorrentino, Richard Taylor.

The results of the OECS Squash Championships determine the players that will make up the OECS teams to compete in the Caribbean Area Squash Association Championships which this year will take place August 13 – 19, 2017 in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The OECS Men’s Team comprises Joe Faragher-Kneipp (BVI), Joseph Chapman (BVI), Neville Sorrentino (BVI), Jules Snagg (SVG), James Bentick (SVG), Keith Boyea (SVG), Jason Doyle (SVG), Kevin Hannaway (SVG), Kai Bentick (SVG), Othniel Bailey (SVG).

The OECS Women’s Team includes Daniela Schumann (BVI), Zoe Sorrentino (BVI), Caroline Dubois (BVI), Gianna Miller-Alexander (SVG) Thandi Myers (SVG), Greta Primus (SVG), and Sherian Slater(SVG).

The OECS Team Manager is Mark Chapman.

Full results of the 2017 Senior OECS Squash Championships:

Individual Championships.

Team Championships.

Queen’s Baton Relay returns to the BVI for fourth time

Kyron McMaster carries the Glasgow 2014 Queen’s Baton in a relay leg through Road Town in April 2014.

The Gold Coast 2018 Queen’s Baton Relay (GC2018 QBR) is on its journey through the 71 Commonwealth nations and territories as it heralds the start of the quadrennial Commonwealth Games which will be held in Australia in 2018.

The BVI Olympic Committee (BVIOC), in its capacity as the BVI Commonwealth Games Association (BVICGA), will host the Relay in the British Virgin Islands when the Baton and traveling crew arrive from Anguilla on Saturday, July 1, 2017 until they depart for Jamaica on Wednesday, July 5.

There will be two days of community-oriented activity as the relay passes through Tortola, Jost Van Dyke and Virgin Gorda on Monday, July 3 and Tuesday, July 4, 2017.

“Although called a relay, running is not central to the QBR and the activities planned through Road Town, Sea Cow’s Bay, Cane Garden Bay, Great Harbour in Jost Van Dyke, The Valley, Virgin Gorda and East End/Long Look will be accessible to people of all ages and abilities,” said Mr. Ephraim Penn, President BVIOC/BVICGA.

The GC2018 Queen’s Baton was designed by Queensland-based Designworks and incorporates Macadamia wood which is native to the Gold Coast, LED

The Gold Coast 2018 Queen’s Baton

illumination which lights up when held, a Queen’s message window and GPS to track the Baton in real time.

Working with key stakeholders, the BVICGA organizing committee has planned a relay route and activities that will showcase to the world the VI’s residents, its sports-men, -women and -children, its beauty, culture, diversity and hospitality.

The Delhi 2010 Queen’s Baton makes a stop at the Elmore Stout High School in March 2010.

“This is definitely a community event and we are delighted to have the support of the Governor’s Office, the Government of the Virgin Islands and its Departments of Education, Culture and Sports, the BVI Tourist Board and the Royal BVI Police Force as well as the Australian community in the planning and execution,” said Mr. Penn. “We also invite businesses to join private sector entities, the BVI Bank Association, Premier Dental, Harneys and RTW in sponsoring this unifying initiative.”

Everyone is encouraged to participate in all the relays and public activities which will include an official ‘Welcome’ ceremony on July 3, relays involving the spectrum of sporting associations and a grand cultural finale on July 4 showcasing the traditions, music and culinary treats from the VI and Australia as organized by the resident Australian community members.

The Relay started at Buckingham Palace on Commonwealth Day, March 13, 2017. At the commencement ceremony, HM Queen Elizabeth II placed Her message to the athletes in to the Baton which will pass through the hands of the many batonbearers who will carry it around the Commonwealth.

Covering 142,915 miles in 388 days, the Queen’s Baton Relay will be the longest in Commonwealth Games history traveling to more than one third of the world’s

population. It engages communities and provides a platform for thousands of people to ‘share the dream’ ahead of the quadrennial celebration of Commonwealth sport from April 4 – 15, 2018.

The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games will embody the values of the Commonwealth Games Federation – Humanity, Equality and Destiny and build upon the event’s reputation as the ‘Friendly Games’ and the integral role sport plays in uniting and strengthening communities.

Get more information on the GC2018 QBR.

 

 

The Gold Coast 2018 Queen’s Baton Relay in the BVI

Join in and share the dream of the Gold Coast 2018 Queen’s Baton Relay when it tours through your community in Tortola, Jost Van Dyke and Virgin Gorda on Monday, July 3 and Tuesday, July 4, 2017.

Click here to read the itinerary and route of the Baton in the BVI.

For more information or to become a sponsor, please contact Sofia Fay by email at sofia@broadswordpr.com or by ‘phone on (284) 541 7845 or Cleave Farrington by email at cmfarrington@bviolympics.org or by ‘phone on (284) 494 6920.

Images of the Dheli 2010 and Glasgow 2014 Queen’s Baton Relays in the BVI

 

BVI squash players reach finals of CASA Jr Championships

By VINO

BVI junior squash players Darci Reich (front right) and her brother Luka Reich were part of the OECS team for the 2016 Caribbean Amateur Squash Association (CASA) Junior Championships

BVI junior squash players Darci Reich (front right) and her brother Luka Reich were part of the OECS team for the 2016 Caribbean Amateur Squash Association (CASA) Junior Championships

The Caribbean Amateur Squash Association (CASA) Junior Championships closed out on Saturday July 24, 2016 in the Cayman Islands with local players Darci Reich finishing second in the U11’s bracket and brother Luka sixth in U13’s.

On what was the third day of the MAPLES Caribbean Junior Champs at South Sound Squash Club the individual titles were decided, and it was a great day for Barbados as they won six, and a good day for the seeding committee as all but one of the top seeds duly claimed the titles.

The day started with Guyana’s Paige Fernandes becoming the first-ever Caribbean U11 champion, after she beat Darci Reich 3-0 in the Final and she was joined by Alex Stewart, who won an entertaining five-game all-Barbados Boys’ final.

Reich was making her debut at this level having won the OECS Championship earlier this year and, having reached the final, went down 11-4, 12-10, 11-2.

Barbados took the Girls’ U13, U15 and U17 titles as Sumairaa Suleman, Meagan Best and Amanda Heywood all retained the titles they won last year with three-nil victories. For Page it was a fourth CASA junior title in a row, a fourth for Haywood too, but not consecutive.

It was the defending champions Guyana who took the Boys’ U13, U15 and U17 titles too as Shomari Wiltshire, Khamal Cumberbatch and Shermane Griffith all won in straight games. For Cumberbatch it was a fourth title in a row and a third for Griffith.

Luca Reich finished 6th overall in his first CASA Tournament and is the current OECS Champion at U13. He was knocked out in the quarter final stage by Darien Benn of Barbados, 11-3, 11-6 and 11-7.

First place was a repeat of last year’s Girls’ Final as Barbados aimed to retain the title they won against Guyana, who had won the previous nine editions.

Girls’ Final:

Barbados 3-2 Guyana
1st/2nd
U13: Sumairaa Suleman 3-0 Aboside Cadogan   11/9, 12/10, 11/3
U15: Meagan Best 3-0 Makeda Harding         11/2, 11/1, 11/2
U19: Chelsie Samuel 0-3 Taylor Fernandes    3/11, 4/11, 6/11
U17: Amanda Haywood 3-0 Rebecca Low         11/4, 11/2, 11/1
U19: Jada Smith-Padmore 0-3 Larissa Wiltshire 4/11, 4/11, 3/11

3rd/4th: T&T 3-2 Jamaica

5th/6th: Cayman 4-1 Bermuda

Boys’ Final: Guyana 3-2 Cayman
1st/2nd
U13: Shomari Wiltshire 3-0 Jace Jervis        11/5, 11/6, 11/1
U15: Daniel Islam 3-1 David Pitcairn          11/6, 8/11, 11/7, 11/6
U19: Benjamin Mekdeci 0-3 Julian Jervis       1/11, 1/11, 2/11
U17: Alex Cheeks 3-1 Jasun Sairsingh          11/8, 11/3, 9/11, 11/8
U19: Rithew Saywack 2-3 Isiah Robinson        12/10 in the fifth!

3rd/4th: Barbados 4-1 OECS

5th/6th: T&T 3-2 Jamaica

The overall team title went to Guyana, with Barbados in second and Cayman in third.