The Hon. Myron V. Walwyn, Mark Chapman, Ephraim Penn and Rey O'Neal at the announcement of the arrival of the 2014 Queens Commonwealth Games Baton. Photo: VINO

Chapman and O'Neal added some background on the Games, which will be the Territories 7th. Photo: VINO

"Lloyd" makes a formal entrance as the 2014 Games Official Mascot. Photo: VINO

For two days the VI will have the opportunity to showcase to the world, its sportsmen, sportswomen and children, its beauty, culture, diversity and hospitality, as the baton arrives from Anguilla April 2, 2014 and departs for Jamaica on April 5, 2014, with two full days of community oriented relay activity.

Mr. Ephraim Penn, BVIOC President, was joined in the announcement by the Honourable Myron V. Walwyn, Minister responsible for Sports, Mr. Mark Chapman, Treasurer of the BVIOC and Chef du Mission for the Commonwealth Games team and by Mr. Rey O’Neal, who gave a brief history of the Territory’s participation at the Commonwealth Games.

Whilst giving a brief overview of the scheduled activities, which include the official Welcome Ceremony at the Noel Lloyd Positive Action Movement Park on Thursday April 3, 2014, a relay to the A. O. Shirley Ground, swimmers handing the Baton over to a Police launch at Cane Garden Bay, a relay through Jost van Dyke, Tortola Sloops sailing with the Baton into Nanny Cay, a relay through the historic sites of Virgin Gorda including the Valley and the Baths and cyclists parading the Baton from Trellis Bay to HLSCC, Penn noted.

“It is an unique experience for the BVIOC as well as the Territory and we hope that everyone will be a part of it and that all those trying to improve Fitness, Wellness as well as Youth groups will come out,” said Penn.

The relay symbolises the harmony and shared ideals of the Commonwealth of Nations and is the prelude to the Commonwealth Games. The Commonwealth Games is a unique, world class, multi-sports event, often referred to as the ‘Friendly Games’. The Queen’s Baton Relay has been included in the Games’ programme since the Cardiff 1958 Commonwealth Games in Wales.

“I believe that the Baton represents a spirit of sport and culture that unites people across many boundaries” commented Hon. Walwyn. “As Members of the Commonwealth Family we are especially honoured to have been selected as one of the stops to receive the Baton and at the Ministry we are doing our part to ensure active participation from our schools and that the youth organisations are at the forefront. I’m urging all Parents and Guardians to allow your children to participate in the scheduled events,” he said.

Rey O’Neal mentioned that Glasgow would be the 7th time the VI would be taking part in the Games, with Lyndell Hodge (2006) and Tahesia Harrigan-Scott (2010) the most successful Athletes to date. Mark Chapman presented the Official Games Mascot “Clyde” which is based on a traditional Scottish Thistle and also made mention that the VI team would again spend some time in Aston, Hertfordshire as a prelude to reaching Glasgow. The Village had also welcomed Team VI ahead of London 2012 and have continued their support under a “twinning” arrangement.

The team for the Games is expected to be about 8 Athletes across the 3 sports of Track and Field, Swimming and Squash.

Her Majesty the Queen launched the Glasgow 2014 Queen’s Baton Relay on its global journey on Wednesday, October 9, 2013 in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace. Accompanied by His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, The Queen placed Her message calling the athletes of the Commonwealth to next summer's Games in Glasgow inside a baton specially crafted in Scotland. The Queen’s baton will now travel to the 70 nations and Territories of the Commonwealth before being opened at the Opening Ceremony.