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

May 17, 2017 by

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.

 

 

Filed Under: Archery, Athletics, Basketball, Cycling, Football, Gold Coast 2018 News, Rugby, Sailing, Softball-Baseball, Squash, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis, Triathlon, Volleyball Tagged With: , ,

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

May 16, 2017 by

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

 

Filed Under: Archery, Athletics, Basketball, Cycling, Football, Gold Coast 2018 News, Rugby, Sailing, Softball-Baseball, Squash, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Triathlon, Uncategorized, Volleyball Tagged With: , , ,

National Tennis Development program takes off

November 24, 2016 by

By BVI Tennis Association

Youth tennis development in the BVI Photo: BVITA

Youth tennis development in the BVI Photo: BVITA

The National Tennis Development Program concept was to revolutionize tennis in the territory but the BVI Tennis Association faced the challenge of identifying and establishing a location that would serve as a National Tennis Centre to help sustain the federation’s growth in the Virgin Islands.

“Despite the challenges, the BVITA has managed to achieve the objective,” said Mrs Carol Mitchell, President BVITA. “We have secured another venue for a Junior program at  Long Bay. We also visited  Anegada, Jost Van Dyke and Virgin Gorda where we engaged with the youth and received an enthusiastic response. Youths are our focus because they are the future.Tennis goes across gender, race and ethnicity. It’s an International Sport.”

The BVITA will launch an After-School Program at Long Bay, West End on Wednesday, November 30 from 4-6 pm.

On Thursday 1st December, the BVITA will host Play Day at the Long Look-East End Public Courts from 4-6 pm.

On Friday, December 2 – 3, the BVITA will host the Junior Development Tennis Tournament at the Long Look-East End Public Courts. The tournament will be open to all tennis players in the 10 & Under, 12 & Under, and 14 & Under categories. The event will take place from 4.00pm – 6.00pm on Friday and from 10.00am – 4.00pm on Saturday.

The BVITA will also offer High Performance Junior coaching at Long Bay,West End from 4.00pm – 6.00pm on Monday, December 5.

For activity details and more information on registration, please contact Carol Mitchell by email at britishvita@gmail.com or by ‘phone on 544-2140.

The BVITA extends thanks to the BVI Olympic Committee, International Tennis Federation, Olympic Solidarity/ International Olympic Committee, Mike Barrell, Ministry of Education, Sports & Culture. Long Bay Beach Club/ Long Bay Villa and the Media for bringing awareness to the sport.

Filed Under: Tennis Tagged With: ,

BVI tennis players dominate Banco Popular Jr Tennis Tournament

September 28, 2016 by

Sources: BVITA/BVI Platinum

Harsh Banthia U14 and U16 Champion and Deandre Baijnauth U12 Champion of the Banco Popular Jr Tennis Tournament 2016 hosted in St Thomas, Sept 23 – 25. Photo: BVITA

Players from the British Virgin Islands Tennis Association dominated the court at the Banco Popular Jr. Tennis Tournament in every category they were registered in.

The tournament, which was hosted over the weekend, September 23-25 in St. Thomas, saw six local athletes participating in three of five of the categories – the Under 12, Under 14 and Under 16 categories. The other categories were Under 10 and Under 8.

Deandre Baijnauth won the Under 12 championships and Harsh Banthia dominated in both the Under 14 and Under 16 championships.

The other members of the BVI team were Adrian Baijnauth, Dmoni Green, Jahmal Bertie and Malcolm DaBreo.

The BVI team was said to be the most popular team at the tournament, which saw other teams coming from St. Thomas and St. John.

President of the Association, Carol Mitchell shared sentiments from the audience, who stated that the BVI team brought out the competitive spirit of the tournament.

“They all worked hard and they deserve it,” said President Carol.

Results:
Under 12
Deandre Baijnauth defeated Brad Robinson 6-4,6-2 and Christian Beicher 6-4, 6-3 and went on to win against Krishna Daswani 6-2, 6-0.

Under 14
Harsh Banthia defeated Biton Charles 6-0, 6-0; Azad Daswani 6-1, 6-0 and won the championship by defeating Luca Hotze 6-2.6-2

Under 16
Harsh Banthia defeated Adrian Baijnauth 6-0, 6-0; and took the championship match against Luca Hotze 6-2, 6-2;

Filed Under: Tennis Tagged With: , , ,

Third Physical Literacy workshop to help develop youth in sports

September 27, 2016 by
Group work at the launch of the Long Term Athlete Development and Physical Literacy workshop in February 2016. Photo: BVIOC

Group work at the launch of the Long Term Athlete Development and Physical Literacy workshop in February 2016. Photo: BVIOC

The third Physical Literacy workshop is underway, running from September 27 – 28 at the Fort Burt Hotel Conference room.

The workshop, organized by the BVI Olympic Committee and conducted by Drew Mitchell, Director of Physical Literacy for the Sport for Life Society in Canada, is directed at sports coaches and representatives of the territory’s national sport federations as well as day-care and pre-school teachers and managers, health care providers and elderly care givers.

“Physical literacy is the motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge and understanding to value and take responsibility for engagement in physical activities for life.” – The International Physical Literacy Association, May 2014

Research shows that without the development of Physical Literacy, many children and youth withdraw from physical activity and sport and turn to more inactive and/or unhealthy choices during their leisure time.

Miss Beverlie Brathwaite, an Education Officer attached to the Ministry of Education sees Physical Literacy as a positive vehicle to champion the cause for a healthier nation and success in the classroom.

“Just as there are basic skills in literacy and numeracy which, when mastered, help students to become competent and motivated, we now know that there are basic skills in movement which have the same effect on students’ confidence, competence and motivation. Also, since there is growing research evidence of the positive link between physical activity and academic success, we see this exposure to Physical Literacy as a gateway to both healthy lives and academic success for our students.”

This workshop aims to also give assistance to the selected sports of Football, Rugby, Tennis, Sailing, Basketball, Athletics, Archery and Swimming as they continue the task to complete a Long Term Athlete Development pathway for their sport.

The first session took place in February and covered the key factors pertinent to athlete development and the 5 basic ‘S’s of training and performance – Stamina (Endurance), Strength, Speed, Skill, and Suppleness (Flexibility).

The second session, which took place in May, focused on discussing the project outlines in the areas of Sport, Health and Education that followed on from the first workshop.

The Physical Literacy Workshops are supported by the Sport for Life Society of Canada, the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC), the Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC), the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Health.

Filed Under: Athletics, Basketball, BVI Olympic Committee, Football, Rugby, Sailing, Swimming, Tennis Tagged With: , , , ,

BVITA Hosts Tennis Summer Camp

July 5, 2016 by
Photo provided

Photo provided

By BVI Platinum

The BVI Tennis Association today, July 4th 2016, launched their summer camp at the Long Bay Beach Club Tennis Courts in West End.

According to the President of the Association, Ms. Carol Mitchel, the camp was created as a platform to raise awareness of the sport in the BVI and to encourage more persons to play and learn to love the sport.

She added that participants of the camp would gain training in basic tennis rules and procedures.

The camp, which began today, will be in action every Monday to Friday until July 15th at 9am-12pm.

Transportation for interested persons is available, with pickup and drop off locations at Gram’s Restaurant, East End at 8am and at Sir Olva Georges Plaza, Road Town at 8:30.

Interested persons are asked to contact Ms. Mitchel at 544-2140 for further information and registration.

Filed Under: Tennis

BVITA To Launch Tennis Awareness Project

May 19, 2016 by
Photo provided

Photo provided

By BVI Platinum

The British Virgin Islands Tennis Association (BVITA), in collaboration with the British Virgin Islands Olympic Committee, are set to launch a campaign to raise awareness of tennis and to encourage more residents to play the sport.

Project Consultant, Mike Barrel revealed the venture in a press briefing on May 17th 2016 at the Department of Youth and Sports.

The project dubbed ‘Tennis Revolution’ is said to introduce a number of creative and innovative ways to make tennis interesting for the residents in the Territory.

“The project is an opportunity for children and adults to approach tennis in a very different way. It is a very ambitious project; something we see can be very beneficial to the BVI. We hope to make tennis much more accessible to different people, no matter the age or the gender.”

He added that the BVITA intends to introduce the project into the schools in the BVI and their curriculum, as well as in the various communities around the Territory.

The project is scheduled to run from September 2016 to September 2017.

Filed Under: Tennis Tagged With:

BVI benefits from Long Term Athlete Development and Physical Literacy workshop

March 4, 2016 by
Front row (l-r): Hon Myron V. Walwyn, Richard Way, BVIOC President, Ephraim Penn, LTAD Coordinator, Angeleta Bernard and 68 participants including physical education teachers, doctors from the BVI Health Services Authority, nurses, chairpersons and members of national sporting federations and personnel from the Ministry of Education and Culture and the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare attended a two-day workshop on Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) and Physical Literacy from February 29 – March 1, 2016.

Front row (l-r): Hon Myron V. Walwyn, Richard Way, BVIOC President, Ephraim Penn, LTAD Coordinator, Angeleta Bernard and 68 participants attended a two-day workshop on Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) and Physical Literacy from February 29 – March 1, 2016. Photo credit: BVIOC

The British Virgin Islands Olympic Committee (BVIOC), in collaboration with Canada Sport for Life (CS4L), the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and the Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC) and, with full endorsement from the Ministry of Education and Culture and the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare conducted a successful two day workshop on Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) and Physical Literacy at the Fort Burt Hotel conference room on February 29 and March 1, 2016. Mr. Richard Way, CEO of Sport for Life Society, Canada was the facilitator.

At the Opening Ceremony Mr. Ephraim Penn, president, BVIOC, Hon. Myron V. Walwyn, Minister for Education & Culture and Ms. Ivy George, National Coordinator, Health Promotion Services, Ministry of Health and Social Development addressed the gathering.

The 68 participants comprised physical education teachers, doctors from the BVI Health Services Authority, nurses, chairpersons and members of national sporting federations and personnel from the Ministry of Education and Culture and the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.

Physical Literacy which means ‘having the fundamental movement and sport skills and motivation that enable individuals to read their environment and make appropriate decisions, while moving confidently and with control in a wide range of physical activities’, was of major interest to the participants.

The premise of the program is that it will pave the way for residents of the BVI to live a healthier and productive life that will help to manage the cost of health care.

Five sporting federations successfully submitted applications to benefit from the LTAD programme. Athletics, Rugby, Football, Tennis and Sailing will shortly embark on the planning of the multi-stage training, competition and recovery pathway for their sport.

Mr. Andy Bickerton of the BVI Football Association said, “The workshop was educational and very relevant. If we practice what we learnt and employ them in our sport, our athletes should be healthier and the occurrence of non- communicable diseases would lessen. It has pointed us in the right direction and we of the BVI Football Association will ensure that we work with participants instead of concentrating only on the elite players, in an effort to sustain our sport.”

Nurse Cherry-Ann George Smith of the BVI Health Services Authority said, “It is timely and applicable to what is being done with community healthcare. It is a means of primary prevention in non- communicable diseases and chronic ailments. I see where it may be used for all our clients. This has opened an avenue for networking with different sports. It was an eye opener and I am pleased to have been a part of the experience.”

“The workshop was informative and well structured,” said Mr. Elsworth Phillips, president of the BVI Swim Federation. “Mr. Richard Way made the concepts easy to understand. I now see where the BVI Swim Federation can partner with the sailing association with strength and conditioning, their swimming skills and water safety.”

Mrs. Angeleta Bernard, local coordinator of the LTAD, BVI was pleased with the enthusiasm of the participants and will be meeting with the committee, chaired by Mr. Penn to initiate the launch of LTAD, BVI and Physical Literacy in the national federations, schools and communities.

Filed Under: Athletics, BVI Olympic Committee, Football, Rugby, Sailing, Tennis Tagged With: , ,

VI athletes in action at Samoa 2015 Commonwealth Youth Games

September 7, 2015 by
The BVI delegation to #Samoa2015 Commonwealth Youth Games. (L-R) Team Leader Mrs. Angeleta Bernard, Paul Oliver (Men’s Singles Tennis), Team Official Mr. Ephraim Penn, K’Cei Moses (100m & 200m), and Kala Penn (100m & Long Jump). Photo: BVIOC

The BVI delegation to #Samoa2015 Commonwealth Youth Games. (L-R) Team Leader Mrs. Angeleta Bernard, Paul Oliver (Men’s Singles Tennis), Team Official Mr. Ephraim Penn, K’Cei Moses (100m & 200m), and Kala Penn (100m & Long Jump). Photo: BVIOC

The British Virgin Islands Olympic Committee, acting in its capacity as the local Commonwealth Games Association, has sent a delegation of three (3) athletes and (2) officials to attend the V Commonwealth Youth Games which are taking place September 5 – 11 on the small Pacific island of Samoa.

The games feature nine sporting disciplines and the action takes place in the nation’s capital, Apia, across two sporting complexes. The nine sports include Aquatics (Swimming), Archery, Athletics, Boxing, Lawn Bowls, Rugby Sevens, Squash, Tennis and Weightlifting.

The athletes, representing the VI in athletics include Kala Penn in the 100m & Long Jump, K’Cei Moses in the 100m and 200m and Paul Oliver competing in Men’s Singles Tennis. In charge of the delegation is Team Leader for Samoa 2015, Mrs. Angeleta Bernard and Team Official Mr. Ephraim Penn.

Over 1,000 athletes and officials are attending the games which began with a uniquely

The VI delegation led by flag bearer, Kala Penn at the Opening Ceremony of the #Samoa2015 V Commonwealth Youth Games. Photo: Getty Images

The VI delegation led by flag bearer, Kala Penn at the Opening Ceremony of the #Samoa2015 V Commonwealth Youth Games. Photo: Getty Images

Pacific-style Opening Ceremony over the weekend, 5th September 2015. Kala was the flag bearer for the VI.

Noting that Samoa is 15 hours ahead of the VI, day 1 of the competition for the territory’s athletes started on Monday, September 7 at the Apia Park Sports Complex with Paul Oliver beating Edgell Tigona of Vanuatu 6-0, 6-0. Paul goes on to play Eleftherios Neos of Cyprus on September 8.

Kala Penn placed 3rd in the 100m to qualify for Semi-finals; she later placed 6th in a time of 12.69s but did not advance. Kala will compete in the Long Jump on September 8.

K’Cei Moses placed 6th in the 100m with a time of 11.12s but did not advance. K’Cei will run in the 200m in Heat 1 on September 8.

The latest results can be accessed at www.samoacyg2015.ws. Photos can be found on the BVI Olympic Committee Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/BVIOlympicCommittee

Daily highlights and the closing ceremony will be streamed live globally, free of charge at www.tv1samoa.tv. Users must register to access footage.

The Opening ceremony
The Samoa 2015 Commonwealth Youth Games Ceremonies followed the overall theme for the Games with Inspiration and Empowerment of young people at their core. The Opening Ceremony was Samoa’s largest-ever cultural performance, featuring almost 1% of the entire island population.

Dignitaries, spectators and athletes from around the Commonwealth, including the Samoan Head of State, Samoan Prime Minister, Commonwealth Secretariat Secretary General and President of the Commonwealth Games Federation, enjoyed traditional singing, dancing and Pacific entertainment. The event started with the parade of nations, with the previous Youth Games host from 2011, Isle of Man, given the honour of entering the field of play first.

Addressing the crowd, and asking the young athletes to show themselves as stars of the Young Commonwealth by raising their smartphones in to the air, Commonwealth Games Federation President Louise Martin CBE said: “It gives me the greatest of pleasure to stand here before you at the Opening Ceremony of the Vth Commonwealth Youth Games – a joyful celebration of impactful sporting performance, personal development and new Commonwealth friendships made on the level playing field of sport. Having been involved with the very first Commonwealth Youth Games back in the year 2000, I am so pleased and proud to see this very special event now taking place on your wonderful Pacific island nation”.

Filed Under: Athletics, Samoa News, Tennis Tagged With: , , ,

New board elected for BVI Tennis Association

September 4, 2015 by

By BVI Platinum.com

11220133_465549176951726_6830258997258272399_nLong time tennis coach, Carol Mitchell has been elected President of the BVI Tennis Association, taking over the organization from Dion Anselm.

The association held elections on Monday and elected Mrs. Judith Vanterpool, Vice President; Mr. De Shawn Matthew, General Secretary; Mrs. Lenia Green, Treasurer; Ms. Dionne Liverpool, Public Relations Officer; Mr. Patrick Mitchell, Development Officer/Player Rep.

Among the aggressive goals for the new board is the formation of a national team; implement a national tennis player rating; hiring a national coach; introduce the International Tennis Federation (ITF), junior tennis initiative (JTI) programme and focus on the 2015 Virgin Islands 14-and-Uder Boys Necker Cup Qualifying Tournament.

JTI is a 14-and-under junior development program funded by the ITF, which forms a key part of the National Association’s player development pathway.

A national JTI program provides opportunities for increased participation in tennis, as well as identifying the most talented players for focused player development within a nation.

The JTI incorporates key elements of 10-and-under tennis within primary schools and clubs; junior development tennis for children 12-and-under and 14-and- under within all the secondary schools and clubs; junior performance tennis for the most talented 10, 12 and 14-and-under.

Filed Under: Tennis Tagged With:
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