BVI Team Named for Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games

July 13, 2026 by

Commonwealth Sport BVI (CSBVI) has officially announced the athletes and officials who will represent the Virgin Islands at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, to be held in Glasgow, Scotland, from 23 July to 2 August 2026.

Mark Chapman, Chef de Mission for Glasgow 2026 named the team of 7 track and 4 field athletes who will compete on a state-of-the-art new track at Scotstoun Stadium when competition kicks off on July 27.

Track athletes: Adaejah Hodge Women’s 100m (Round 1 – July 27) & Women’s 200m (Round 1 – July 29), Beyoncé Defreitas Women’s 100m (Round 1 – July 27) & Women’s 200m (Round 1 – July 29), Rikkoi Brathwaite – Men’s 100m (Round 1 – July 27), Jaleel Croal -Men’s 100m (Round 1 – July 27) & Men’s 200m (Round 1 – July 29), Wanyaé Belle – Men’s 100m (Round 1 – July 27) & Men’s 200m (Round 1 – July 29), Kaelyaah Liburd – Women’s 400m (Round 1 – July 28), Deya Erickson – Women’s 100m Hurdles (Round 1 – July 30)

Field athletes: Khybah Dawson – Men’s Long Jump (Round 1 – July 27), Djimon Gumbs – Men’s Shot Put (Round 1 – July 29), Chantel Malone – Women’s Long Jump (Qualifying Round – July 31), Kimberly Smith – Women’s Long Jump (Qualifying Round – July 31)

Hodge was named the flag bearer with Jaleel Croal named as the baton bearer and will carry the King’s Baton – uniquely decorated for the Virgin Islands by local artist Desiree Smith – into the arena at the Opening Ceremony.

“We are taking one of the strongest athletics teams the Virgin Islands has assembled for the Commonwealth Games. Several members return with valuable Games experience, while others will be making their debut on one of the world’s biggest multi-sport stages. We are confident they are prepared to compete at the highest level.” said Chapman.

Malone competed in long jump at Glasgow 2014 with a 4th place finish and a 5th place at Gold Coast 2018. Brathwaite, Defreitas and Gumbs all made their Commonwealth Games debuts at Birmingham 2022. It will be the first appearance for Hodge, Croal, Belle, Liburd, Dawson and Smith.

Speaking at the official team announcement, Commonwealth Sport BVI President Ephraim Penn acknowledged the unique challenge presented by the overlap between the Commonwealth Games and the Central American and Caribbean Games.

“This year has required tremendous collaboration between our National Federations and both organising committees to ensure our athletes have every opportunity to compete at the highest level. We appreciate everyone’s commitment to finding solutions that place our athletes first,” said Penn. “With such a successful season so far for our team members, we are excited to be bringing them to a world stage where they will put everything to the test as they aim for the highest results in these friendly Games.”

“Glasgow 2026 is a celebration of sport, culture and community and so it is our expectation that the experience will foster friendships between all athletes across the Commonwealth,” added Penn.

BVI Athletics Association President Steve Augustine praised the athletes’ preparation following an outstanding season that included impressive performances at the NACAC Championships and on the international circuit.

“Our athletes have shown throughout the season that they belong among the very best. They have trained exceptionally hard, achieved qualifying standards and continue to raise the profile of Virgin Islands athletics. We look forward to seeing them compete against some of the strongest nations in the Commonwealth.”

Attending the Games with the athletes are coaches Jean Carlos Arroyo, Michael Heimerman, Winston Potter, Karene Hodge and physiotherapists Thomas Jepperson and Sofie Slider. Desiree Smith will also be attending the Games, courtesy of the Premier and Minister of Finance and Tourism, Dr. The Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley in recognition of her selection to decorate the Baton for the Territory.

The delegation will arrive in Glasgow ahead of the Opening Ceremony on 23 July.

Conducted every four years since inception in 1930, Glasgow 2026 will be the 23rd edition of the Commonwealth Games with approximately 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories competing in 10 sports for championship titles. To date the Virgin Islands has participated in 9 Commonwealth Games since Auckland, New Zealand in 1990 with two championship medals secured by Kyron McMaster in the 400m hurdles at Gold Coast 2018 and Birmingham 2022.

Following the withdrawal by the original host city, Victoria, Australia, Glasgow stepped forward to stage the 23rd Commonwealth Games with a streamlined programme featuring ten sports. The adjusted events removed squash, a sport that the BVI has been represented in at every Commonwealth Games since Melbourne 2006.

Updates on the team will be posted on the BVIOC Facebook and Instagram accounts.

Filed Under: Adaejah Hodge, Athletics, Beyoncé deFreitas, chantel malone, Commonwealth Games, Commonwealth Sport BVI, Deya Erickson, Djimon Gumbs, Ephraim Penn, Glasgow 2026, Jaleel Croal, Kaelyahh Liburd, Khybah Daswon, Kimberly Smith, Rikkoi Brathwaite, Wanyae Belle Tagged With: , , ,

Commonwealth Sport BVI partners with HLSCC Center for Applied Marine Studies in Mangrove Planting Initiative to commemorate Commonwealth Day

March 9, 2026 by

Commonwealth Sport British Virgin Islands (CSBVI) partnered with the Centre for Applied Marine Studies (CAMS) at H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) to support a mangrove planting as part of a Commonwealth Sport Caribbean-wide tree-planting initiative to mark Commonwealth Day celebrated on March 9. The initiative reflects a shared commitment to environmental sustainability and climate resilience across the Caribbean region.

“Every year, Commonwealth Sport aims to undertake an activity that has a lasting impact on our communities,” said Mr. Ephraim Penn – who is both President of CSBVI and Regional Vice-President for Commonwealth Sport Caribbean. “Our collaboration with the HLSCC Centre for Applied Marine Studies was a perfect demonstration of partnership in meaningful action against climate change while creating a greener future for our communities.”

The activity brought together high school students and community members to participate in the planting of mangrove seedlings grown through HLSCC’s Mangrove Nursery programme. The initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to restore coastal ecosystems across the British Virgin Islands following the significant loss of mangroves during Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017.

Mangroves play a critical role in protecting shorelines from erosion and storm damage while also serving as nursery habitats for juvenile reef fish and other marine life. They also help improve water quality and store carbon, making them an important component of climate resilience efforts in the Territory.

According to Ms. Suzan Zaluski, Head of Marine & Maritime Studies at HLSCC, the Mangrove Nursery was established in response to the widespread destruction of mangrove ecosystems caused by the hurricanes.

“The facility grows approximately 2,000 mangrove seedlings each year which are planted at degraded mangrove sites throughout the BVI,” she explained. “It provides a unique opportunity for community members to work alongside scientists and resource managers to restore coastal habitats that benefit the entire Territory.”

Since launching in 2020, the programme has collaborated with numerous community groups and schools to plant mangroves across several islands, including Tortola, Beef Island, Frenchman’s Cay, Jost Van Dyke, Anegada, and Virgin Gorda. The initiative also works in partnership with the National Parks Trust of the Virgin Islands, which utilizes seedlings from the nursery to support restoration efforts in protected areas such as Prickly Pear Island and Sandy Cay.

The event also highlighted the importance of engaging young people in environmental stewardship. The Mangrove Nursery programme currently serves more than 350 local youth each year, providing opportunities for students and early-career professionals to participate in hands-on conservation activities.

Through initiatives like this, both CSBVI and HLSCC aim to inspire the next generation to take an active role in protecting the Territory’s natural environment.

Community groups and schools interested in participating in future mangrove planting or educational visits are encouraged to contact the HLSCC Mangrove Nursery programme for more information.

Filed Under: Commonwealth Sport BVI Tagged With:

BVI Gears Up for Glasgow 2026 King’s Baton Relay with Artist Desiree Smith to Decorate Ash Baton, Green VI to lead Territory-Wide Coastal Clean Ups

April 17, 2025 by
L-R Zebalon McClean, Member at Large, Commonwealth Sport BVI, Dylan Penn, Director of Operations, Green VI, Ephraim Penn, President Commonwealth Sport BVI, Desiree Smith, artist, Hon Luce Hodge-Smith, Junior Minister for Tourism and Culture, Lloyd Black, Secretary General, Mark Chapman, Treasurer and Glasgow 2026 Chef de Mission with the King’s Baton at the King’s Baton Relay press briefing on April 16, 2025. Photo: Commonwealth Sport BVI

The British Virgin Islands (BVI) is set to host the Glasgow 2026 King’s Baton Relay (KBR) from May 16–21, 2025, as part of the build-up to the 23rd edition of the Commonwealth Games. The BVI will be the 10th stop on the Baton’s global journey through the 74 Commonwealth nations and territories.

In a press briefing held on April 16 at the BVIOC Office, the BVI Olympic Committee (BVIOC), in its capacity as Commonwealth Sport BVI (CSBVI), unveiled a dynamic series of community events and sustainability initiatives to mark the Baton’s arrival, alongside the exciting announcement of the artist selected to decorate the territory’s very own Baton.

Historic First

For the first time in the Relay’s history, each country will receive and decorate a unique Baton crafted from sustainable ash wood. The BVI’s decorated Baton will be proudly carried by the BVI delegation at the Opening Ceremony of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Honourable Luce Hodge-Smith, Junior Minister for Tourism and Culture, announced the selection of local visual artist, Desiree Smith as the official designer for the BVI Baton. Smith’s vibrant concept, which highlights the BVI’s natural beauty, culture, and sporting excellence, was selected from among invited proposals submitted from a short list of talented local artists that also included Lutia Durante, Tia Modeste, and Walden Benjamin.

Ephraim Penn, President Commonwealth Sport BVI, Desiree Smith, artist, Hon. Luce Hodge-Smith, Junior Minister for Tourism and Culture with the King’s Baton at the King’s Baton Relay press briefing on April 16, 2025. Photo: Commonwealth Sport BVI.

“Ms. Smith’s design captured the essence of the Virgin Islands in a way that was both bold and heartfelt,” said Hon. Hodge-Smith. “I am thrilled to announce that she will not only decorate the Baton, but the Honourable Premier has agreed that the Government of the Virgin Islands will be flying Ms. Smith to Glasgow to attend the Opening Ceremony as part of the BVI delegation. She will be hosted by the Premier at London House along with our Commonwealth Games team.”

Smith’s design includes three distinct panels—‘British Virgin Islands,’ ‘Colourful,’ and ‘Commonwealth Sport’—each infused with rich imagery, Territorial colors, and symbols representing the territory’s environment, culture, and athletic prowess.

“It’s a tremendous honour to represent the BVI in this way,” said Smith. “My goal was to make the Baton a vibrant expression of who we are as a people—our love for our land, our culture, and the pride we carry into every sporting arena. I hope when people see our Baton in Glasgow, they’ll immediately feel the warmth and spirit of the Virgin Islands.”

The artist will use acrylic paints, permanent markers, glitter, rhinestones, adhesives, and varnish to create a design that is both durable and striking on the international stage.

The artist selection process was overseen by Creative Waves, a cultural development initiative led by Director, Sophie Stanton. “Desiree’s submission stood out for its bold use of colour, layered symbolism, and emotional resonance,” said Stanton. “This project was about showcasing the richness of our creative community, and we’re proud of every artist who submitted. Desiree’s Baton will be a beacon of BVI pride on the world stage.”

Sustainability

The KBR celebration in the BVI will feature community-centered events, including school visits, a Baton relay through Road Town on May 20, and a coastal clean-up initiative on May 17 led by Green VI in support of the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign emphasizing sustainability as a feature of the KBR.

“We are excited as an environmental NPO to be partnering with Commonwealth Sport BVI in this worthwhile event,” said Dylan Penn, Director of Operations, Green VI. “The changes demonstrate the shared value of sustainability and cultural pride. We are planning a public coastline collection of litter across the Virgin Islands including Great Harbour in Jost Van Dyke, Setting Point in Anegada, Road Town, Tortola and Taddy Bay in Virgin Gorda. We are not only collecting but we are sorting and categorizing the litter to see what we can recycle and upcycle All persons are encouraged to participate.”

Ephraim Penn, President, CSBVI noted, “This new model of the Baton Relay emphasizes sustainability, inclusion, and national pride. We are excited to celebrate with our communities through the planned activities and to share our story with the Commonwealth. We also look forward to announcing the Baton bearers for the relay and sharing the details of the handover spots through media announcements, on our website and on social media.”

Ahead of the announcement, Mark Chapman, Treasurer, CSBVI and Chef de Mission for Glasgow 2026, shared the dates for the Games to be held in Scotland, UK from July 23 – August 2, 2026, along with an overview of the 10 sports in which athletes will compete.

“The number of sports has been cut down from 20 to 10 and includes athletics, 3×3 basketball, bowls, boxing, judo, netball, power lifting, swimming, track cycling and weightlifting. The BVI has been represented at Games in athletics, squash, swimming, 3×3 basketball and cycling. We have registered 12 athletes who will be confirmed ahead of the Games,” said Chapman.

Local artist Desiree Smith was selected to decorate the Baton for the Glasgow 2026 King’s Baton Relay in the BVI. Photo Commonwealth Sport BVI
Dylan Penn, Director of Operations, Green VI will lead the coastal clean up as part of the sustainability campaign for the Glasgow 2026 Kings Baton Relay in the BVI. Photo: Commonwealth Sport BVI
Filed Under: 3x3 basketball, Athletics, BVI Commonwealth Games Association, Commonwealth Games, Commonwealth Sport BVI, Cycling, Glasgow 2026, Kings Baton Relay, Squash, Swimming Tagged With: , , , ,