The Baton was officially handed over to Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley on 17 May in a short ceremony that launched its journey through the islands. A planned coastal clean-up in Road Town that day was cancelled due to poor weather. However, clean-up events in Anegada and Virgin Gorda went ahead successfully. These activities formed part of the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign and reinforced the territory’s commitment to environmental sustainability.
The postponed clean-up in Jost Van Dyke took place on 24 May. Organised by Green VI in Great Harbour, volunteers collected 46 lbs of trash. Of that, 18.6 lbs was sorted and categorised, revealing 322 individual littered items. Seventy percent of these were plastic. By removing this waste, the team helped protect the coastline from millions of future microplastics and demonstrated the BVI’s shared responsibility for safeguarding its natural environment.
On Day 3, the Baton was carried by Commonwealth Sport BVI President Ephraim Penn and local artist Desiree Smith to Elmore Stoutt High School on Tortola and Bregado Flax Educational Centre on Virgin Gorda. At both schools, students learned about the Baton’s design.
Smith created it specifically for the BVI’s leg of the journey. Her work celebrates the territory’s culture, biodiversity and sporting legacy. The Baton features the national flower, the white cedar, the turtle dove, the territorial colours and the motto Vigilate. The three carved panels are titled British Virgin Islands, Colourful and Commonwealth Sport. Smith also included references to daily life in the BVI, such as coconut trees, sailing traditions and the sports in which BVI Athletes have competed.
The next day saw a symbolic relay through Road Town. It began at the squash courts at Tortola Sports Club. The Baton was carried by five-time Commonwealth Games squash player Joe Chapman and Caribbean squash champions Jakob Noblett-Diaz and Delilah Pease.
The relay continued to the Multi-purpose Complex, where 3x3 basketball players from the Birmingham 2022 Games hosted an exhibition. It then moved to the A. O. Shirley Recreation Grounds, where athletes from the BVI Athletics Association continued the journey.
From there, the Baton travelled through central Road Town. It visited sites including the HM Prison Museum, Midtown Restaurant, Sir Olva Georges Plaza and Queen Elizabeth II Park before reaching Government House. Along the way, the Baton was carried by a mix of past and present Athletes, local leaders, artists and youth representatives. This reflected the spirit of community at the heart of the Relay.
On 21 May, the focus shifted to inclusion and intergenerational connection. The Baton was first presented at a lively Seniors’ Sports Day, where older adults took part in inclusive games and had the opportunity to engage with it.
Later that day, the Baton visited Althea Scatliffe Primary School. Students were delighted to learn that two of their PE teachers, Trinbago 2023 Chef de Mission Ericca Frederick and Birmingham 2022 basketball player Shauliqua Fahie, were also accomplished athletes. The relay concluded at the Youth Empowerment Project (YEP) in East End and Long Look, where young people welcomed the Baton with excitement and enthusiasm.
The visit ended with a reception at Government House, hosted by Acting Governor Mr. David Archer and Dr. Alison Flax-Archer. Batonbearers, organisers and community members gathered to reflect on the journey, which left behind a strong sense of pride and unity and set the tone for Glasgow 2026.
