The Queen's Baton Relay in the Virgin Islands in 2010. Photo: Provided

The Queen’s Baton Relay, which started its journey through the 71 Commonwealth nations and territories in March, heralds the quadrennial celebration of Commonwealth sport which will be held in Australia in April 2018.

The Queen’s Baton and traveling crew will arrive from Anguilla on Saturday, July 1, 2017 and 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 giving everyone an opportunity to interact with the Baton,” 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 illumination which lights up when held, a Queen’s message window and GPS to track the Baton in real time.

Showcasing the VI

Working with key stakeholders, the BVICGA organising 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.

“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 its 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 relay legs 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 organised by the resident Australian community members).

142,915 miles in 388 days!

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 Games which will take place on the Gold Coast, 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.