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by pltm
(PLTM) - The Virgin Islands team for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018) entered the Carrara Stadium at the Opening Ceremony on the evening of Wednesday, April 4. The team, comprising the 10 athletes, coaches, physio and Chef de Mission, was led by 400m hurdler, Kyron McMaster, who was selected as the flag bearer.
“The Opening ceremony was a great occasion for us all,” said Mark Chapman, Chef de Mission. “All the athletes were on good form and are excited for the start of the Games. It was rewarding to know that we had a fan base in the audience which included our CGA guests, Deputy Premier, Dr. the Honourable Kedrick Pickering and Mrs. Pickering.”
The celebration featured a creative mix of ancient and modern Australia, connected by an array of classic Australian images that told a universal story of inclusiveness and diversity.
The official start of the 21st Commonwealth Games was announced when the Queen’s Baton - which toured through the Virgin Islands July 2 - 4, 2017 – was run into the stadium and the Queen’s message to the athletes was removed from the Baton and read out by His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales.
The team’s outfits were styled by the VI’s Kristin Fraser of Trèfle Design.
“I was excited to create the opening ceremonial wear for the team,” said Kristin. “Colours evoke moods and I wanted to create something that would make the wearer feel happy on both the inside and out, amongst all the other countries around them.”
Kristin used one of her first prints ever made called the "Artwork Print” and hand-painted by a local artist/designer and selected for originality, color and fabric. The print was coupled with a sleeveless top design for the women and included an over-sized bow meant to work and look like a scarf.
“The various shades of blue represent our waters and custom converse "chucks" were made by a local shoe guru to tie the entire look together. It was all about incorporating local talent, design and color so I'm blessed to be a part of this journey with the BVI delegation” she said.
The men wore white shirts, black pants and a white scarf imprinted with the elements that make up the VI flag – the Union Jack and the territorial coat of arms which depicts Saint Ursula framed by eleven oil lamps representing the 11,000 virgins after whom the Virgin Islands were named. Beneath St. Ursula is a scroll that reads, in Latin, "Vigilate" (Be Watchful).
The GC2018 competition schedule for the VI started the following day on April 5th with Joe Chapman and Neville Sorrentino playing matches in the men’s Squash singles.
Joe Chapman (PSA world ranked #292) played with strength in his match against Farhan Zaman of Pakistan (PSA world ranked #87) to take it to four games, but ultimately losing 11-6,11-13,11-4,11-6.
“I feel good with how this match went,” said Joe. “Farhan is a great player who had a career ranking of 47 and who’s a really great shot maker. I was going toe-to-toe with him until the end and playing some of the best squash in my life, especially considering everything that happened after the storm and the lack of squash facilities at home.
Neville Sorrentino competing in his first Commonwealth Games, was defeated by Tayyab Aslam of Pakistan 11-3, 11-4, 11-5.
“It was a tough match and I was a bit nervous, but I enjoyed it,” said Neville. “The result is what it should be, but the game was played in good spirits and I’m just happy to be part of these Games and to have this experience of a lifetime.”
Joe and Neville will continue with matches in the Plate round which will be played on Friday, April 6. The two will then compete in the men’s doubles on Tuesday, April 10 when they come up against Declan James and James Willstrop representing England. The VI duo will meet the Pakistani players, Aslam and Zaman again in a doubles match on Thursday, April 11.
Joe and Neville trained almost daily in the 3 months prior to the Commonwealth Games and were coached by Adam Murrills.
Track and field competitions for the VI’s athletes will begin on Sunday, April 8 and continue through April 12.
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).
