At the start of December, the Ulster scholars and myself attended the Belfast Classic Kickoff Dinner the night before the tournament started. As I was sitting down a fellow table member asked who I was, “Oh hi I am Matthew Bauer…what is your name”. The nice woman proceeded to introduce herself smiling a little while she said, “I am the Lord Mayor of Belfast”. It was at that moment where I realized she had jewels around her neck that I now know the Lord Mayor of Belfast wears. Despite my brief moment of embarrassment, it was a privilege to able to sit next to her and learn her story.
It was not until two months later that I had the opportunity to meet with the Lord Mayor again. Belfast City Council invited the Ulster scholars and the SCL team to City Hall to recognize the work that Sport Changes Life does along with the success of the Belfast Classic. For the City Council to express gratitude for our work in the community and the work that SCL completed in the previous years was a privilege. The recognition shows how far the charity has come as well as how far the charity can go especially with the Belfast Classic as a foundation. All in all, it was a great evening and don’t worry this time I did not ask who the Lord Mayor was to her face!
Cheers,
Matthew
