Team Virgin Islands (VI) in outfits styled by Kristin C. Fraser of Trefle Design VI at the Gold Coast 2018 Opening Ceremony on Wednesday, April 4, 2018 with Kyron A. McMaster, 400m hurdler as the flag bearer. Photo: BVICGA

Squash players, Joe Chapman and Neville Sorrentino and Coach Adam Murrills on the first day of competition at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games. Photo: BVICGA

Squash player Neville Sorrentino, Mrs. Juliet Penn, Ephraim Penn - BVICGA President, Squash player Joe Chapman, Dr The Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering, Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, Squash coach, Adam Murrills, and Mrs. Alice M. Pickering on the first day of competition at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games. Photo: BVICGA

The team’s outfits were styled by the VI’s Kristin C. 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.”

Squash games

The GC2018 competition schedule for the VI started the following day on Thursday, April 5, 2018, with Joe Chapman and Neville Sorrentino playing matches in the men’s Squash singles.

Joe Chapman who ranks 292 played with strength in his match against Farhan Zaman of Pakistan to take it to four games but ultimately lost 11-6, 11-13, 11-4, 11-6.

“I feel good with how this match went. 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,” said Joe.

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. 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,” said Neville.

Joe and Neville will continue with matches in the Plate round which will be played on Friday, April 6, 2018. The two will then compete in the men’s doubles on Tuesday, April 10, 2018, 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, 2018.

Joe and Neville trained almost daily in the 3 months prior to the Commonwealth Games and were coached by Adam Murrills.

Track and Field

Meanwhile, the Track and field competitions for the VI athletes will begin on Sunday, April 8, 2018, and continue through April 12, 2018.

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 7:00 P.M. 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 website (www.gc2018.com).