The Queen’s Baton will arrive in the Isle of Man in just 14 days, giving the Island community the chance to play its part in the traditional relay ahead of the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
The Baton will be officially welcomed by the Isle of Man Commonwealth Games Association President Basil Bielich, who will be accompanied by the Chief Minister Howard Quayle and CGA officials, ahead of a tour of the Island.
The Queen’s Baton Relay is the traditional curtain raiser to the Commonwealth Games and has been an integral part of the Games’ programme since the Cardiff 1958 Commonwealth Games. The Isle of Man will be the 43rd of 71 Commonwealth destinations visited, arriving from Northern Ireland on 1st September.
The relay began at Buckingham Palace on 13th March, when Her Majesty The Queen handed the Baton to Australian cycling Legend and Commonwealth and Olympic Games medallist Anna Meares, OAM. Anna was the first of many thousands of batonbearers who will be a part of the Baton’s journey around the Commonwealth.
Batonbearers for the Isle of Man leg of the relay will be drawn from the whole Isle of Man community.
Lieutenant Governor Sir Richard Gozney said: ‘Being part of the Queen’s Baton Relay is not only an exciting event for our but also an opportunity to highlight and promote the Island to other members of the Commonwealth.’
IOM CGA President Mr Bielich added: ‘We look forward to seeing as many people as possible join in the festivities and turn out to cheer on the Relay’s batonbearers. On Saturday 2nd September the GC2018 Queen’s Baton will be at the NSC from 9am until midday, Laxey Village from 12.30pm until 2pm, Douglas town centre between 3pm and 4pm and Cregneash Village at 4.30pm, with a Queen’s Baton Jogging Relay to The Sound for 5.30pm. On Sunday 3rd September the GC2018 Queen’s Baton will be at Ramsey’s Mooragh Park from 9am until 11am and in Peel from 12.45pm until 1.45pm.’
On an ambitious journey to connect with the modern and diverse Commonwealth of today, the GC2018 Queen’s Baton Relay will achieve two records; it will be the longest Relay and the most accessible Relay to date.
The Baton, containing a message from Her Majesty The Queen, will travel for 288 days through Africa, the Americas, Caribbean, Europe, Asia and Oceania before arriving in Australia for a 100-day tour.
The final batonbearer will return the Baton to Her Majesty The Queen, or Her representative, at the Games’ Opening Ceremony on 4th April 2018. The Queen’s message will be removed and read aloud to officially open the Games.
The international sector for the Queen’s Baton Relay is a joint initiative of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation in partnership with the Commonwealth Games Federation and locally with the Isle of Man Commonwealth Games Association.
All are welcome to get involved in the visit, with events being held around the Island giving residents the opportunity to see the Baton and celebrate Team Isle of Man.
Saturday, 2 September 2017
09:00 - 12:00 - National Sports Centre, Grove’s Road, Douglas
12:30 - 14:00 - Queen’s Baton Walking Relay from Laxey Pavilion to Laxey Wheel
14:30 - 14:45 - Horse Tram along Douglas Promenade (Derby Castle to The Sefton Hotel)
15:00 - 15:30 - Richmond Travel, Strand Street, Douglas
15:30 - 16:00 - Manx Telecom, Strand Street, Douglas
16:30 - 17:00 - Harry Kelly’s Cottage, Cregneash Village
17:00 - 18:00 - Queen’s Baton Jogging Relay to the Sound
Sunday, 3 September 2017
09:00 - 11:00 - Mooragh Park, Ramsey
11:30 - 11:45 - Grandstand, Douglas
11:45 - 12:15 - Isle of Man Hospice
12:30 - Tynwald Hill, St. John’s
12:45 - 13:45 - Moore’s Kipper Factory, Peel
14:30 - 15:30 - Snaefell Summit (Electric Tram from the Bungalow)
16:00 - 17:00 - Sports Fun Day, Centre 21, Greenfield Road, Douglas
Details are available on www.cga.im/baton and the full international relay can be viewed at www.gc2018.com/qbr
Over the weekend the Baton will also visit the Association’s Team Champions Auxesia, Escape the Rock, Manx Telecom, Paysafe, Skanco and SMP Partners, as well as Government House and Tynwald Hill. Isle of Man Trike Tours will be the official transport for the Baton as it makes it way around the Island.
For more information about the Isle of Man Commonwealth Games Association including ways to support Team Isle of Man visit www.cga.im.
