Back in the States, I’m from a suburban town where I was always driven or drove myself to places. There weren’t trains or buses, apart from the school buses I rode when I was younger. Even all the times I’ve gone into the city, I haven’t really used public transportation, and if I did, I followed whoever I was with blindly because I had no idea what I was doing.

First thing I realized when I got here- I need to use public transportation pretty much everywhere I go. This should be interesting.

First things first… Which buses go where? Where are the stops? How do I pay for it? This was basically a trial and error learning experience, as well as observing others and trying to follow what they did. I pretty much stepped onto buses and asked “Does this bus take me to DCU?” I was told no and to wait for a different bus several times. Once I finally was answered with yes, I asked how much the fare was, “2.85!” Oh no… I don’t know which coin is which or even if I have enough change for that. “Can I give you a 5?” The bus driver looked at me sideways, kind of giving me that “are you serious” look and said “no, exact change.” I started to panic a little, rummaging through my wallet, as a line is building up behind me. I grabbed two 2 euro coins and threw them into the slot. I figured overpaying a little bit was probably fine because it was still change, and honestly I just couldn’t bare to look for smaller change anymore. My ticket came out, and I grabbed it fast and sat down, sliding down into my seat embarrassed.

Once I relaxed a little, I realized I still had more to figure out. I listened to the stops that were being called out before the bus would pull over. I have no clue what any of these stops are…great. “It’ll go right to DCU right? Or will it just take me to the street nearby, or something completely different? I guess I’ll just wait and see.” I watched as people got off and, toward the end of the ride, noticed that they were hitting the little red button on the handle bars, which signalled to the bus driver that they needed to stop at the next stop. Seems pretty basic now, but how was I supposed to know that that’s how it was done!? I also watched out the window to look for familiar streets and buildings closer to school. Eventually, the voice on the bus said DCU, I hit the button, the bus stopped, and I got off! Wooo, success!

The next bunch of bus experiences were a similar story because I still hadn’t figured out exactly which buses go where. However, one thing that is definitely different from home is how nice and patient people are. The bus drivers, for the most part, are super willing to help me out, and the people don’t throw a fit when I hold the line up a little. I did see the occasional laugh or eye roll at my stupidity, but I deserved it!

People always say that it’s the best to learn through doing, and also through failure. Well, I definitely learned the bus system that way! And now I feel like a pro taking the buses around. I know exactly which buses to take to get back to DCU, which ones will take me downtown, and which ones will take me to other streets nearby! I also have a handy bus pass now, thank goodness! I no longer have to buy a coffee when I’m out just so I can get some small change to pay for the bus… I just tap my pass to the machine when I walk on and say where I’m going, and I’m done!

Now, I notice when new tourists come into town and try to use the bus for the first time, and it always makes me feel better about my initial lack of understanding. They try to hand the driver 10 euros, or they ask “where does this bus go?” and I chuckle a little in my head. I now know how it feels to be on both ends of the spectrum. I usually try to help these people out when I can, or give them a look that says “don’t worry, I know it’s confusing!”

Even though I thoroughly miss my car, I enjoy taking the bus now!

I’ve been to Dublin before, but let’s be real here- it was for a few days, and I spent most of that time on Grafton Street or in a pub. What I’m trying to say is that I have no idea where anything is or how to get around, which is a slight problem considering I’m going to be living here for the year! Adaysha and I figured we might as well walk out our door and just keep walking until we’ve figured it out a little. Nearly 12 miles later, we had a pretty good sense of things, and we saw so much!

We walked by one field and watched a sport that I can only describe as kids running around with paddles and slamming a ball as well as each other with it, later to learn this was “hurling.” I definitely would not last a minute in that game! Further in our travels, we walked through a beautiful park with many dog walkers, runners, and swans. I felt happy to see a park that reminded me so much of home. Later, we were smack bang in the middle of the city, listening to people play music and sing on the streets. Someone was singing “Castle on the Hill” by Ed Sheeran, and I nearly lost it with excitement! Safe to say I stayed and sang along for a while, needing to be plied away by Adaysha to keep walking.

Cars and buses were buzzing by us. Thank God for the words “Look Right,” or “Look Left” painted into the pavement below our feet at street crossings! This whole driving on the other side of the road thing would take some getting used to.

Throughout the day, we kept on seeing people with jerseys on, decked out in face paint, hats, and flags as capes. We wondered what sporting event was happening, but whatever it was had to have been going on here in the city because people were gathering by the hundreds. We were told that it was the Men’s National Gaelic Football Championship, and that our Dublin team was not only playing, but hosting it. This was a game we apparently couldn’t miss and needed to get to a pub early to get a seat and watch, according to locals. So eventually, after A LOT of walking, we met up with the Trinity scholars, Simone Hobdy and Rebecca Rabeiro, only to continue walking and get closer to where the game was being held. Adaysha and I had walked by the large arena earlier without even really knowing it! So, we went back in that direction, which we now know to be Drumcondra Street and scoped out the pubs. They were all packed with fans that had not walked over to the stadium yet.

After some wandering, frustration that there was no room anywhere, and some much needed lunch, we finally planted ourselves in a pub to watch the game. We sat front and center, squished, with the screen right over our heads. I honestly don’t know much about what happened in that game. I was so tired from all the walking that I passed out right there in my seat, all four of us did! I did wake up in time to see that Dublin won the game though, so I guess that’s what matters! If anyone asks, I pretend I saw the whole thing and rave over how great the win was..

All in all, it was an awesome day getting to know Dublin as well as the girls I’ll be staying here with, who we now call “The Dublin Gang.” I have successfully discovered that I love it here!!

Picture this- your first day in a brand new city in a brand new country, you’re lost, and the whole group is waiting for you on the bus. Well, that was me in Belfast!

The crew of Victory Scholars was brought to the market downtown to explore a bit for a couple hours. We were given a time and a place to meet back up after. Only, I really didn’t understand that well where exactly the meeting point was because my sense of direction is subpar, and I was a little distracted by the sensory overload in this fantastic new place. I figured I would just follow the group, buddy system right?

I had an amazing time walking through the market and speaking with a bunch of locals. I learned about special Irish beers, leprechauns, and the hot spots for food. Before I knew it, it was time to wrap up and get going. I was in line getting a falafel pita with another scholar, Courtney Walsh, when we realized that everyone had already started to make their way over. Along with me, she was unsure of exactly where to go too, so the buddy system failed us a little. We quickly grabbed our food and ran out of the market to find exactly zero of our group in sight.

To make a long story short, we ended up sprinting around the city for 15 minutes trying to find everyone. Luckily another scholar and my DCU roomie for the year, Adaysha Williams, had service and was able to send her location, so we found our way. Both of us dripping sweat, panting, and apologetic, we made our way onto the bus to be greeted by our coordinator, Sam Woodside.

“Ladies, it’s okay. No worries!” he said. Courtney and I looked at each other, relaxed a little, and realized right then and there just how incredible our Sports Changes Life staff is. Sometimes things happen and you take a wrong turn. Let’s not get crazy here, this doesn’t mean I should get in the habit of showing up late or not following directions. It just means that when I make an honest mistake, they will be here to tell me it’s alright and bring my blood pressure back down to normal!

I’m stoked to be here with such amazing peers and leaders, and I look forward to the adventures to come! Wish me luck that I don’t get lost in Dublin!

When speaking with family and friends at home, a question that comes up a lot in conversation is: “What’s your typical day like?” The truth is, I have no such thing as a “typical day” here in Northern Ireland. There is a bit of consistency throughout most weeks, but I find that every day tends to bring something different, which I enjoy.

So, instead of a typical day, here is what a typical week in my life looks like, for those that are wondering! (If you don’t really care what I’m up to most days you might as well skip reading this blog post lol)…

Monday: Mondays are usually my easiest days. I typically have nothing planned on Mondays, so I will take my mornings and afternoons to workout, run by the sea, do homework, do laundry, go on walks, watch Netflix, etc. On Monday nights, we typically have a 2 hour session of Ehoops with a youth group that comes to campus. The first hour consists of playing games and sports with the kids in the gymnasium (they are usually between 11-18 years old), and the second hour consists of mentoring/talking/small group work and eating pizza!

Tuesday: On most Tuesdays the other scholars and I go with Mac of Sport Changes Life to an over 50’s club at a local gym, where we play pickle ball, badminton, and boccia for 2 hours. We also get a break for tea. 🙂 Sometimes we will go to nursing homes to play boccia afterwards, or to the Sport Changes Life office to help out with any extra work there. On Tuesday nights I have basketball practice on campus with my team, the Ulster Elks, from 8-10!

Wednesday: Wednesdays usually consist of going to nursing homes with Mac to play boccia for an hour. It is very rewarding to see the elderly and those less able get joy out of playing! Afterwards we might go to the SCL office, or back to campus where I would have the rest of the day off for free time. Wednesday nights from 6-8 we have an Ehoops session on campus with another youth group, which would also consist of an hour of sport and then an hour of mentoring/group work/pizza.

Thursdays: Thursday mornings usually consist of going with Mac to the over 50’s club to participate in a pickle ball class, and then possibly to nursing homes for boccia after that. Thursday nights I have basketball practice again, 8-10.

Fridays: Friday mornings usually consist of going with Mac to a leisure center to play boccia with elderly/disabled people, where they also serve us lunch and tea. It’s a great time to socialize with people in the community. Afterwards we would probably head to the SCL office to help with any work there.

Saturdays: Game day! I always have games on Saturdays, usually at 3 or 5. Sometimes we have to travel, which could take all day, or even an overnight trip with the team. The farthest we have traveled so far is over 3 and a half hours, to Galway. If it’s a home game, you can find us for a wee night out on the town in Belfast Saturday night!

Sunday: a much needed day of rest/sightseeing/free time

By this point, you’re probably wondering… when does this chick go to school? 3 days a month I do have class, 9-5. This would be one Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday every month, so obviously the schedule above would change. Additionally, with the Basketball Hall of Fame Belfast Classic Basketball Tournament coming up at the end of November, all of the above schedule has even altered lately, as we are doing a lot more work promoting the Classic in the community (at schools, malls, etc.) as well as working a lot more hours at the Sport Changes Life office to get things ready for the tournament.

So there ya have it! A very consistent yet inconsistent schedule of what my life looks like for the next 10 months. Hope ya enjoyed… Cheers!!!

There was one message that was consistently conveyed to me about the athletics in Ireland compared to the United States…the facilities will not be as nice. I am pleased to announce, that in Waterford at least, this could not be further from the truth. In Waterford they have a newly built sports facility, complete with a great basketball court, wonderful weight room, and so much more. Not only is it a wonderful arena to call home, one of my roommates and I had the honor of being the basketball representatives at the launch of WIT Arena.

 

The night of the launch was quite eventful, starting with a photoshoot of representatives from every sport at WIT. Check out that Viking Pride. 

After the photoshoot we were able to attend a question and answer session with some of Ireland’s greatest athletes, including Olympic sprinter Phil Healy. This was an awesome experience, as I got an insight as to what it is like to growing up participating in sport in Ireland. While there are some obvious differences, the lessons learned through sport remain a constant.

 

The launch of the arena was a wonderful night, and certainly helped me get to know some of the other athletes at WIT. The Waterford community takes great pride in their athletics, and the new arena is a symbol of that pride. I am honored to have been able to be a part of the launch.

The 2^nd Annual Belfast classic is scheduled to take place on Nov 29, Nov 30^th and December 1^st. As the days progress and we get closer and closer to the event, marketing and promotional efforts have increased exponentially. Whether you catch a glimpse of it on social media, see in on billboards, watch it on TV commercials, hear about it on radio broadcasts, or randomly bump into Elvis the Elk in a mall, you will know that the Belfast Classic is big and its happening soon.

One effort I thought to be truly innovational was bringing a group of scholars along with Sport Changes Life staff accompanied by Elvis the Elk to local Primary schools and various clubs to create excitement and awareness of the Belfast Classic. On October 19^th, at approximately 1 PM, Elvis the Elk escorted by a core group Of SCL staff members and scholars (Including myself) visited St. Clare’s Primary School in Belfast Northern Ireland. The moment the children saw the Elvis walk through the gymnasium doors the student’s faces lit up with excitement. We introduced the students to the Elk, handed out posters to students and staff members, and took some pictures and videos together. I can honestly say that every minute I was there, I sensed how eager and enthusiastic they felt about attending the event.

Being a part of an event this big is truly incredible. Sport Changes Life as an organization is bringing high-level competitive basketball matches to the city of Belfast! These competitive matches stand as the only NCAA tournament to be played in Europe. That is a really big deal. The second annual Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Belfast Classic will be groundbreaking. To be involved in part of the process, from a promotional, operational, and managerial perspective is truly amazing, and I cannot wait till the success of this event is broadcasted on CBS globally.

 

 

This past Sunday, my roommates and I helped run a developmental basketball camp in County Clare for girls and boys ages 12-14 with the help from our National League coach, Mike, who also serves as a basketball developmental coordinator. We ran 2 sessions where there were about 40 kids in attendance, 20 girls and 20 boys. We worked on basic fundamentals, did some drills, and even had time for a couple of scrimmages!

I thought it was great to see so many enthusiastic kids, who were anxious to learn and develop their own individual skill. I was also kind of shocked at the turnout we had. Certainly, I was not expecting 40 kids to be there. When I came to Ireland, I wasn’t sure what to expect when it came in terms of basketball. I did not think it was as widespread in Ireland as it is in some other countries in Europe. However, I did know that it was gaining more popularity in Ireland as well as globally. It’s great to see the rising basketball following here in Ireland because I truly believe basketball is more than just a game.

Basketball has given me so much in life. It has taught me so many life-lessons and skills that I still use daily. Basketball has taught me the importance of teamwork, dedication, perseverance, and accountability among many other things. It has introduced me to a countless number of incredible people who have all helped shaped me in one way or another. Basketball has taken me to four different countries across two continents. I have been able to experience things I wouldn’t have even dreamed of if it wasn’t for basketball.

One of the reasons I applied to be a Victory Scholar was to be given the opportunity to start giving back to the game that has provided me with so much. I have loved every opportunity I have had so far with coaching and teaching the youth across Ireland. Teaching the fundamentals of the game and helping grow basketball in Ireland has been so rewarding. I cannot wait to continue to do so through many more coaching and developmental sessions!

 

 

My 22^nd birthday was this past Wednesday, October 3^rd, and it was my first birthday away from home. Back in the States, I was fortunate enough to go to college about 2 hours away from my house. I was always able to celebrate my birthday somehow and someway with my family. This was the first year I was truly away from home on my birthday.

At first, I wasn’t sure what to expect; I thought I would just get some of the normal birthday shout outs on social media and a couple facetime calls with my family. Throughout the day, I received a ton of birthday wishes from my friends at home and my friends here in Ireland. I also got a very nice birthday shout out from the Sport Changes Life social media account as well as a wonderful message from Deirdre, one of SCL’s founders. This was where the inspiration for the title came from!

After class my roommates and I went to coach a practice session at LIT. Then we planned to go to one of our friend’s house after for a small get together. Little to my knowledge they had something else planned for our night.

Drew and I walked up to our friend’s house and it seemed too quiet. I walked in first and was immediately welcomed with a flash of light and a loud “SURPRISE!” from about 20 people. They threw me a surprise party with balloons, cake and everything!! It was a terrific birthday gift and an unforgettable 22^nd birthday party!

The next day when I woke up, I just kept thinking to myself, “Wow, they really did not have to do all of that for me!” Just remember, at this point, I have only known my roommates Drew and Taylor for basically a month and the rest of our friends in Ireland for less than that. They all went above and beyond any birthday expectations I might have had. I feel so lucky to have such great people in my life!

So, I just want to take the time to thank everyone who sent me birthday wishes and everyone who made my first Irish birthday one I will always remember! Lastly, I want to thank Sport Changes Life again for giving me this once in a lifetime opportunity! I have been lucky enough to have already met a ton of remarkable people. With confidence, I can say I have the best roommates and friends here in Ireland!

I’ve been living in Northern Ireland for a little over two months, and can confidently say I am immersing myself as much as possible in the culture. It is not drastically different from the states, but there are a few differences that I am still getting accustomed to, one being the accent/lingo used. I still find myself saying “I’m sorry, what was that?” at least 10 times a day throughout my conversations with the locals. I have found throughout my short time here that some accents are stronger than others in different parts of the island. The Northern Irish and Southern Irish talk much differently from each other. This became very evident to me when my parents were here visiting a couple of weeks ago… we spent a couple of days in Dublin, then drove to Belfast so they could experience where I live in the North. The very first conversation (from the locals) that they heard in Northern Ireland happened to be in the restaurant, Nando’s. As soon as the hostess said “Hiya wanna take a wee seat over there?”, my parents both looked at me and laughed, wondering if they were in a totally different part of the world all of a sudden. It sounded so different than the voices we were hearing in Dublin, which was actually so cool for them to experience.

I genuinely enjoy hearing all the phrases that they use here, and swapping facts about our different cultures with people that I’ve met. A fun thing to do with my teammates or with the people we work with in the community is to compare the food, (especially the chocolate) from Northern Ireland to the USA’s. (Sorry America, but the chocolate here beats yours by a long shot). My teammate has already promised to send me care packages full of Cadbury chocolate when I get back home… thank goodness!

However, sometimes it is difficult to compare things since some of them have never tried some of the stuff we have in the states. For instance, imagine trying to explain what a Wendy’s frosty is, and how Americans actually dip their fries (or as they say here, “chips”) INTO the frosty… I was looked at like I was an alien.

Here’s a few things I have learned here thus far.

• Fries are “chips”. Chips are “crisps”. Jelly is “jam”. Jam and toast is a thing; PB&J’s are not a thing.
• You MUST take milk in your tea. MUST. (I drink my tea black… and have been told that’s a “crime” one too many times. Shoutout to you Sam Woodside and Aoife Callaghan.)
• Tea and biscuits are served anytime, anywhere. I love it and am now averaging 4 cups of tea a day. Again, you MUST dip your biscuits in your tea ONLY if your tea contains milk. I drink my tea black… and dip my biscuits in my black tea. Sorry Sam and Aoife. Can’t stop won’t stop.
• “What’s the craic?”= What’s going on/What’s happening?
• “good craic”/”the craic was ninety” = good fun
• “class” = good, “cheers” =  thank you
• “wee” = I mistakenly thought this meant “little”… it is actually used before anything and everything.
• “that’s us” – time to go
• “work away” – go for it (shoutout to you Aimee)
• “happy days!”- that’s good/great (shoutout to you again Aimee)
• “kits” – uniforms/jerseys
• “bibs” – practice jerseys (or as we say in the states- “pennies’)

Here’s to hoping I come home with some of this lingo engrained in my brain so I can annoy my family and friends. Cheers!!!

So coming here I was nervous because I thought I would be homesick. I thought that I’d miss everybody and everything from home. So far I have been so lucky with the people I have met that I’m starting to feel like Ireland could be my home away from home.

Cairdeachas, meaning kindness is the only word I can use to properly describe the manner of the Irish people I have met. My team is so delightful!! Everybody has been so welcoming and made me feel right at home. From the team to the coaching staff I don’t have a single bad word to say about them. I would like to give a quick shout out to our manager Maeve Caffola, who without I would be lost. She has had my roommate and I over for dinner and taken care of us in every single way possible.

In college, I’m finally starting to figure out this new system! The way they teach their material has taught me to become an independent learner. I find myself thinking critically about exciting interesting new topics. Everybody in my course has been super helpful and I’m excited to learn about my course and reach my full potential in my career pathway.

College basketball has started up, and once again everybody is so friendly. We haven’t had our first game yet but we are looking pretty good for the season, so hopefully the future will hold big things for us. Club basketball on the other hand has started. We have played two league games so far. Honestly, I don’t know how to describe how marvelous playing basketball is here. Although the standard isn’t as high, the pressure isn’t high too!! Which is what I love!! I can just play my game and have fun!! As a result I’m playing really good basketball, I’m avg. 20 points a game. I’m really enjoying myself, and not to say I didn’t enjoy ball in the states, it’s just so different. There’s no pressure/stress everything is fun and people just play and coach for the love of the game. Honestly I couldn’t be happier.

 

So if you were in Ireland, what’s the most ironic stereotypical Irish thing you could do? Drink a pint of Guinness!! And where better to do that then St. James’ Brewery better known as the Guinness Factory. My roommate and I ventured over to try our first Irish pint, and it did not disappoint. The factory itself was exquisite! It took us almost three hours to complete the tour. At the end of the tour, we were taught how to pour or own pint. I am now a certified pint puller of Guinness!! The most amazing thing about the tour was the 360 bar. This bar overlooks the whole city and you’re just going to have to go yourself to understand how beautiful the view was. I hope to continue to travel and make the most of my time here in Ireland.

In regards to college, things are so different here compared to back home. The lectures and tutorials are way less ‘hands on’ which I’m finding a little difficult. However, I enjoy a challenge and the content of my course is very interesting. My course has a lot of foreigners/ international students and I have gotten to know many different people and cultures already. Just another benefit of this place.

Coming over here I thought basketball is basketball right? There’s not much different ways to play the game? I was wrong! Firstly, they have different rules on the court and training isn’t as intense and demanding. We only train about three times a week which gives me a lot of free time. Secondly, the love and commitment irish players have for the game is admirable. Basketball doesn’t stop after college for these guys, they keep going! Which i find amazing and I wish we had a league for basketball after college besides the WNBA. So I’m counting my blessings being able to experience this new style of basketball and enjoying every minute of it.

As we took the bus down to Dublin from Belfast I was so excited to get all settled into my new home. Arriving at the Airport Terminal my roommate, Simone, and I were picked up by our club coach. Not being aware that he was taking us straight to practice, oh boy did I die. It was great meeting the team, such lovely girls, but our coach made us run a lot and I wasn’t ready for all that. Finally we got to campus and got all settled in to our new apartment. We truly have such a great accommodation! Trinity campus is beyond beautiful and right as we walk out the main gate we’re right in the center of the city. It is very convenient since everything is walking distance.

Since school hasn’t begun yet we were able to walk around and become more familiar with our new city. Dublin is a really big city, lets just say its very easy to get lost. However, no matter what street you walk down the atmosphere and culture I have experienced in this first couple of days is amazing. On the streets there’s always live music and beautiful shops, which is great because I love shopping. The thing I love about Dublin the most so far is the variety. I’ve only seen the city so far, but it has a range from the big shops and clubs to the small dainty pubs and vintage shops.

I’m really looking forward to starting school and practice with the college team. Everybody and everything so far has been fantastic and I’m excited to start the year.

 

As we say our last goodbyes to family and friends and head on over to the airport to start our next chapter in our lives in Ireland! It’s our first week here in Ireland and all the Scholars are together in Belfast. It is such an exciting time to venture out and explore this new country, luckily all 34 of us can share this new experience together. Belfast is such a beautiful city! To it’s cute little shops to old fashioned bars, its got a little of everything! We all made it over to St George’s Market which is such a cool place to get some gifts, art, jewelry, and little souvenirs. They also had a live band and such delicious foods! Everything was also super cheap. Some of the scholars and I went on our own to explore the city. It was such a fun day going into different bars, shops, taking cool pictures by wall art, and eating delicious foods. I had the best fish and chips there!

We all had our first home cooked meal at the McGuire’s house. It was very kind of them to have us all over and make us feel welcomed. Lots of “firsts” that happened that week. For another firsts, we did our first coaching session where we interacted with kids from the community. It was such a great experience getting to be around these kids, who come from rough backgrounds, and see the impact we make on them. They look forward to meeting with us, and it just warms your heart seeing the difference we make. We had a blast playing games and even teaching them how to play American Football.

It was a long first week and I had such a blast with everyone. The week was coming to an end as we departed our ways to our different schools. It was such a sad day saying goodbye to all the Scholars since we all became so close that week. Luckily we all now have places to stay throughout Ireland when we visit one another. 

 

 

Being an American with limited access to true, oceanside, links-style golf courses obviously made me excited to come overseas to the Mecca of the golfing world.  Golf most likely (no one really knows) started in Scotland, and it caught on so intensely that James II, the King of Scots, banned golf in Scotland three times in the 1400s because all the soldiers were spending their free time golfing instead of practicing archery and other military activities. It soon spread to the rest of the British Isles and Ireland, despite what I would assume to be the best efforts of James II.

Today, the UK & Ireland sport many of the world’s best – and oldest – courses.  The links in Great Britain are generally flatter and wider with more rolling mounds, and the links on the island of Ireland are generally hillier and more dramatic, as well as greener due to the rain.  Most publications rank Royal County Down as the best golf course on the island, many as the best in Europe, and some even rank it as the best course in the world.  I have noticed that the residents of Northern Ireland are very split on whether Royal County Down (RCD) or Royal Portrush (RPGC), the site of the 2019 Open Championship, deserves the top spot.  Our university golf team grants us free membership at RPGC (which is incredible) and my teammate Niamh is a member at RCD, meaning I have had the recent fortune of being able to play both courses.

Royal Portrush is a true championship test and is in as beautiful of an environment as any course in the world, nestled up against the north coast of Northern Ireland, brutally exposed to the wrath of the ocean.  Despite the extreme location, RPGC is generally more fair than RCD, and for that reason, I would rather play at tournament at Portrush.

HOWEVER – and there isn’t an easy way to put this – if I had one more round of golf to play before I died, it would be at Royal County Down.  The experience of playing RCD – wedged between the Mourne mountains and the ocean – is surreal.  The feeling transcends golf or sport or anything else going on that day.  No, I am not just saying that because I played it on Ryder Cup Sunday and the US got trounced and RCD was my escape from reality. I am saying it because I played it a month ago now and I can still remember every hole and every shot I hit on a course I’ve only seen once.  I am saying it because it was a windy day, the course was tougher than I expected, my score was disturbingly poor, and I still walked off the course with a massive smile on my face, already grieving at the thought of not walking those fairways again in the near future, and already harboring a feeling of pity for those golfers who may never be able to make the trip across the ocean to play a course I now feel is a rite of passage to enter golf heaven.

The first month in Northern Ireland has been nothing short of incredible! Although there are lots of things I miss about the states (Chic-Fil-A is high on that list), I honestly can say I am already in love with Northern Ireland, as well as the rest of the island too. My home city of Belfast is filled with lots of live music, street art, restaurants and pubs that are always a fun time. I got to experience Belfast Culture Night with friends, which is basically a typical Friday night out in Belfast, but on steroids. There were tons of people, food venders, artwork and live music on every corner. It was a really fun night to experience different parts of the city with good friends.

I’ve also gotten the opportunity to travel to Portrush on the coast, where Mike and I went surfing! This was the first time I have surfed and I have to say I loved it. We rented wetsuits and boards and surfed for a few hours in the Irish Sea. We then got caught in a torrential downpour so we ran back up to the surf shop, changed, and got a warm lunch at a local café before heading back to Belfast on the train. It was such a fun day; I surprised myself by how willing I was to be out of my comfort zone. I could not stop smiling the whole time I was in the water, even when I was falling off my board or my hands were shivering. I think I found a new hobby!

 

I also took a weekend I had off of basketball to travel to Sligo on the coast, where I visited Zack and Connor. Sligo definitely did not disappoint! I got to experience the night life at the local pubs, as well as a long hike on Sunday with some absolutely stunning views. I soon learned that a lot of hikes here do not have marked trails, so I found myself trudging up the mountain in the grass, water, and mud in my Under Armour sneakers. I was told one too many times by our guide that hiking gear would be a practical investment. (I made it out alive, that’s all that matters.)

 

So far I have seen some breathtaking views around the island, and it’s only been a month! I’m looking forward to exploring as much as I can while I’m here. Stay tuned for more! Cheers!!!

To start off, I cannot believe I am writing this from Belfast, Northern Ireland. Looking back to when I applied to the Sport Changes Life program last fall, this time seemed so far away in my mind. It probably won’t set in that I am actually here until it’s time to leave in May! For me, coming here was actually not a “wee” leap of faith, but actually a huge leap of faith. I am the youngest of six children, and I am extremely close with all of my siblings and with my parents. I grew up in a very supportive household, and have had the same group of close friends since elementary school, and found a tight circle of friends in college. In other words, I have a pretty solid comfort zone at home. In fact, when I first left for college I was worried about leaving my family and friends 3 hours away. It’s absolutely crazy to think that after four years of tremendous growth, I have now left my family and friends a whole ocean away.

For me, being apart of this program is all about getting out of my comfort zone even more so that I can become the best version of myself. I feel that if I can become the best version of myself, then I can really make a positive impact on the youth of Ireland and help the kids we will be working with become the best versions of themselves too. I am really looking forward to not only teaching the kids what I have to offer, but to really learn from them too. Growing together over the next 10 months, I feel we can really make a significant impact on each other.

Overall, my short time here so far has shown me how much potential this program really has to offer. Over the last few weeks, I have met 33 other Victory Scholars who share the same goals as I do, and who I became really fast friends with. I also had my first few basketball practices and my first scrimmage on our home court with my new team. I even had the opportunity to travel to Dublin with my team for our first tournament, which we won! I am looking forward to getting the season under way with my new squad.

In addition, I’ve gotten the opportunity to do a bit of sight-seeing; I visited Saint George’s Market and the Titanic Museum (highly recommend!!!) in downtown Belfast, as well as Giant’s Causeway on the coast. I also have had training in social media and coaching, participated in a few Ehoops programs, and visited some local schools, nursing homes, and youth groups with the other scholars. The days have been busy but also super fun.

I am finally getting settled in at Ulster University before school begins at the end of September. Overall, I am really looking forward to what is in store for myself and the other scholars this year. I am so thankful for the Sport Changes Life Victory Scholar program and the Rory Foundation for allowing me to even reach this point. Please feel free to follow along my blog (and/or my social media accounts, as well as Sport Changes Life’s accounts) to see where this journey takes us all throughout the year. Cheers!!

“Remember that a person’s name is to that person the sweetest and most important sound in any language” – Dale Carnegie in How to Win Friends and Influence People

In my Communications for Professional Life class, we came across a quote from Dale Carnegie in his book How to Win Friends and Influence People about the importance of remembering and using one’s name with the people we meet. It immediately made me think of the kids I am working with here in Carlow and the importance of trying to remember every kid’s name. I think that it represents the first step I want to take in building a relationship with the kids I am coaching throughout this year. If a kid knows that I know his or her name, it is a validation of me caring about their development as a player and person.

I have always prided myself on being good at remembering names, whether it be people I meet or kids I am coaching. I run my own basketball camp during the summer in my hometown of Medfield, MA, and my first order of business in every session is to learn each kid’s name. I don’t think you can overstate the importance of remembering a kid’s name as the first building block in developing a connection with the young person. I believe it is the initial indicator that I care about developing a relationship with them and shows that I am committed to getting to know and help them.

Between the six different groups of kids I am coaching, there are a total of approximately 120 kids and 120 names to remember. Since I only meet with each group one time per week, I haven’t remembered all 120 names on a consistent basis yet. Even if some of the kids get frustrated by me continually asking for their names week after week, I am confident that I will soon have all 120 names down. And, by the end of the year, I know it will make a big difference in the kids’ feeling acknowledged and help in developing a connection with me that goes beyond our basketball sessions.

 

Holywood Golf Club is where myself and Phillip are lucky enough to have the opportunity to go and help run coaching sessions with kids ages from 6-13 to assist them with their golf games. It is great to see that through Rory McIlroy’s local influence that we get often 40 kids come rain or shine every Sunday eager to hit balls and hole putts. It’s great to see so much enthusiasm for the gam of golf through the youth and a way to meet new friends and spend their sundays in a fun and safe environment. As a person with limited experience with young children, to see youngsters week after week develop their abilities and grow confidence is something very rewarding. I have always seen myself as mostly a player, yet when parents come thanking us for what we do it really makes braving the wind and cold worth it. Also when 7 year old boys turn up in shorts when it’s 3 degrees it really makes it hard to complain!

It’s an event every child dreams of seeing their favorite players compete in up close and personal. The Masters! But not the Masters you may think you know. See, I’m not speaking of Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy teeing off at Augusta National. And the winner certainly won’t be gifted that glorified green jacket athletes have come to attribute to golf’s highest honor. Rather, I’m speaking of local Irish legend Joe Coughlan sporting his knee high socks, trademark goatee, and quick-witted charm in a dimly lit gymnasium situated on Galway’s westside.

Despite a lack of commentary by Jim Nance, the weekend tournament is still a tradition unlike any other. Every year, teams from across the world descend upon a host city to reconnect with friends and compete against faces old and new. Men and women aged 40+, 50+, and 60+(!) identify the weekend as an opportunity to disconnect from the rigors of daily life and personal responsibilities and to tap into the nostalgic memories of sport from their adolescence. The Masters rests on the pillars of a simpler time in basketball; a time absent of the politics and business-facing most young athletes encounter today. For these participants, there are no scholarship offers on the line. And sponsorship deals likely stem solely from clubs’ local watering holes. No ulterior motives are present beyond healthy competition and a communal love of the game.

In the midst of a difficult stretch in my own National League season, the Masters Tournament served as a much-needed reminder of why I became involved with sports to begin with. To witness grown adults still be overcome with youthful exuberance and energy because of a bouncing orange ball is a memory I won’t soon forget. Even in the face of adversity, whether on or off the court, it is still a blessing to be able to continue to lace up my sneakers and step between the lines at this point in my life. It’s an opportunity I hope never to take for granted.

It’s been great craic assisting with the weekend festivities, and I look forward to taking up Joe’s open-invitation to represent Galway in the Masters when I become of age (provided my health holds up)!

Royal County Down golf club is a course I have heard of, as I was a life long golfer, but not extensively. Little did I know what I was in for. A friend of Phillip and myself brought us a half hour south of Belfast for a round on the classic and historic links course for a guest rate of 20 pounds, which was 220 less than the actual green fee. Amazingly the sun was shining over the mountains of Mourne and the course was empty. This was no ordaniary sunday, it was Ryder Cup singles sunday, where Europe were taking on the Americans.

There are only a few courses in the world where I would sacrifice a day in front of the television watching a Ryder Cup conclude, unfortunately, yet fortunatley, Royal County Down was one in that handful. It was stuff of dreams, beaming sunshine, beautiful golf course with a couple of close friends made for an amazing day of golf. Luckily due to the course being empty I thought I would get away with sneaking a headphone under my wooly hat and get BBC’s radio coverage of the final day where Europe managed to hold on to regain the cup. It was an amazing day being able to walk the fairways whilst listening to what is one of the most entertaining days in the golfing year. It was equally as amazing to keep Phillip, the other american golf scholar, regularly updated about what great things were happening. Can’t wait to go back and I have to publicly thank Niamh for this unforgettable day!

There is an age-old adage that states opportunities arise from who you know, not what you know. In 1929, Frigyes Karinthy developed his theory on “six degrees of separation”, identifying that every living individual can be connected through a chain of communal relations in six or fewer steps  (Skeptical? Test it out with the parlor game Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon). I would argue the athletic community provides an even smaller degree of separation, with each sub-sport yielding closer ties between participants. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to see basketball for what it truly is: a close-knit fraternity.

This past Bank Holiday I was fortunate enough to reap the benefits of my two degrees of basketball separation. I woke to a message from Joe, a committee member and chief personality of my National League club, asking if I wanted to venture to Ashford Castle with him and a colleague visiting from the US that afternoon. Unbeknownst to me at the time, the once-Victorian castle has since been renovated into a five-star luxury hotel ranked number one in the world as recent as 2015. Access to the internal quarters of the estate are strictly limited to hotel staff and visiting residents. So, my ability to afford the lofty price for one night’s stay is non-existent for the foreseeable future, unless Sam is willing to increase my monthly stipend deposit. Or, at least until those PowerBall numbers turn in my favor.

We arrive at the residential entry gate, and immediately I see multiple cars up front be turned away. There is a publicly accessible portion of the estate, however, it has a separate, less glamorous entrance. As we pull up to the gatekeeper I’m surprised when Joe extends his hand out the window, and says, “thanks for having us, I’m here as a guest of Robert”. As it turns out, Joe had arranged a private tour of the facilities and dining experience within the castle through a long-standing connection he developed years prior through the Irish basketball community. Following our tour of the beautifully renovated facilities, our guide ushered us to the dining hall, where he accompanied us for a midday meal. I listened intently as Robert, Joe, and Jim (Joe’s friend) reminisced on their interactions with high-profile athletes, like Chris Mullin, to accredited media personnel, like Doris Burke, to insurance industry titans turned power-five conference team boosters to cultural icons, like Stevie Wonder and Robin Williams. In that moment, I couldn’t help but think how the game of basketball has provided me with another memorable experience that would otherwise be unattainable to me.  

As I alluded to in an earlier post, basketball is so much more than a game; in reality, it is a means of meeting new people and creating amazing opportunities. I can’t begin to thank both Joe for his extended invitation, and Robert for taking time away from his schedule to show us around!

Although historians have deemed it ‘the city of tribes’, perhaps Galway is best known as the artistic and cultural hub of Ireland. Whether you’re walking the cobblestone streets of the Latin Quarter or watching ships dock in the harbour from your apartment balcony, every day in Galway feels like you’re living in a postcard.

If you ask any of my middle school art teachers, they’ll surely tell you that the beauty of art is lost on me. And frankly, I can’t say that I disagree. Art museums and symphony halls are two of the last places you’ll find me in my free time. In full transparency, I once bribed my mom to take notes at a rendition of Shakespeare’s ‘Othello’ for a class of mine because I couldn’t bare the thought of doing it myself. She didn’t take part, but you see my point.

In light of my (lack of) artistic background, it is still nearly impossible to not appreciate the beauty that Galway encompasses. Take a random stroll down Quay Street and you’re sure to find a compilation of musicians, tap dancers, magicians, and chalk artists. Pick any pub. Taaffes. The Front Door. An Púcán, and so on. You’ll wash down your Guinness to the sounds of local Gaelic songbirds on a nightly basis. What about those alleyways towards the outskirts of city-center? You won’t see much besides multi-story buildings plastered with murals of Irish folklore legends.

As October nears to an end, the artistic and cultural escapades in Galway are in full force. Fresh off of hosting the world’s oldest international oyster festival, the community has since welcomed the Vodafone Comedy Carnival to town. The weeklong experience is sure to add a unique niche of artistic expression otherwise absent in the day-to-day lives of the Galway locals. And yet, it is not to outshine the Macnas Halloween Parade (a must see event), the so-called “highlight of Ireland’s cultural calendar”, set for October 29th.

With so many great cultural festivals set in place, and many more to come throughout the year, I’m excited to continue to break out of my artistic shell and explore Galway for all it has to offer!  

My first Saturday in Waterford I got a Facebook message from one of the members of my club. “I’m on the way to pick you up, we’re going to the Mansion” was all he said. Confused as to what that meant, I got dressed and ready to go. 20 minutes later we are pulling up to what appears to be a tiny whole in the wall. Little did I know how much I would come to love The Mansion House.

The Mansion House is a wonderful restaurant in the City Centre of Waterford, as well as the sponsor for our national league team the WIT Vikings. This has become my favorite place in Waterford for two reasons:

1) The friendly atmosphere of the entire staff, including the head chef who has become my self-proclaimed “Irish Mother” and

2) Delicious Free Meals

While everyone in Waterford has been extremely welcoming to me since I have been here, no place has made me feel more at home than the Mansion. I have become friends with almost the entire staff, the manager, and even the owner. Having a place like the Mansion House has made my transition to Ireland tremendously easier. I have a place to go everyday where I do not feel like a foreigner. I just feel like a part of the family. 

For the first year ever, I was lucky enough to be the only one out of 34 scholars to not be from America. My transition of being the only Brit in my American University, to now being the only Brit, all be it still in Britain, but within the american group of scholars. Sounds confusing but I promise you it’s fantastic. I spent four years learning the americanisms to now being able to explain to the others what things like quid, tenner, baked beans, monster munch and a fry up meant.

I loved it. I was the middle man trying to order taxis and setting up bank accounts as I was considered the local and could understand the true Belfast accent. I love helping the other Americans out as I have been the one who was helped out constantly when I was at my American University. I’ve only been helpless once, in County Cork away at a golf tournament where I could understand about one word in every six, but the man was so nice we managed to have a laugh about it. So for the fourth time in a day where Mac mistakingly says “The American Scholars” by mistake I smile and realise what a great achievement it is to be a Victory Scholar. I’m the anomaly and am loving every second.

Whether it be Bruno Mars, The Pogues, Beyonce or Sinatra, Belfast has a lasting rhythm that pulsates the city. Live music is something I find brilliant, coming from Manchester I thought I was from the capital of great live performances. Yet Belfast seems to have extreme talent where you chose to go, on whatever day it may be. Buskers in Victoria Square to the Harp on a Sunday there seems to be an array of musicians across the city. They seem to string and intertwine the traditions of the islands core through violins and the beating drum, to then include many artists from the UK and worldwide. What I find great, is that it you may be listening to an artist you dislike, or a song you don’t know, but through the Belfast way of performing it brings such high spirits and a stomp of a foot to the audience. Spirit is something that the island of Ireland seems to know a lot about and their eagerness to have a good time is something that makes it feel like home.

If you saw a person walking down a busy downtown street, dressed up in a banana costume, what would your reaction be? What questions might cross your mind? Would they include questions such as ; What is going on? Where is he going? Is that attire appropriate in this setting? Nevertheless, there are some days were it is socially acceptable to dress up as any character or thing you could imagine. Halloween is one of those days.

I am not a person who gets excited to dress up for Halloween. But, since I was in a new country, with amazing new friends, I was compelled to give it a go! Kollyns and Jenna, two Ulster Scholars, came up with the brilliant Idea for our costumes. We were going to be characters from the 2003 adventure movie titled “Holes” staring Shia LaBeouf. Kollyns featured on the farthest to the right, is the character Zero from the movie. Jenna, crouching next to Kollyns, is the character Stanly. Phillip who is posing farthest to the right is Extra #1 and I, as you guessed, am Extra #2.

The day was amazing! Everybody thought that Phillip and I were dressed up as jail convicts with no association to any movies whatsoever, which in their defense was technically accurate. However, some people were able to pick up on similarities in the outfit that Jenna and Kollyns had on, to the characters from the movie and therefore guessed correctly. Furthermore, everyone, and I mean everyone, we bumped into was so pleasant and polite! We were greeted with compliments and we engaged in conversation that started with people picking up on our accents and ended with questions like “how are you liking the country?” People kindly directed us on the right path to our destination when we got lost. Taxi drivers stopped to pick us up and drop us off without having to call a taxi office beforehand. One person stopped and offered me a stick of gum (and not because I needed it). I mean, these are all small examples, but, each and every one of those acts and more, add up to the extent of genuine kindness that the people I have met had. The real beauty of it all is that the residents that I have come across in this country are truly kindhearted around the clock, not only on Halloween.

This past weekend I welcomed my first visitor from back home. My uncle Joe flew into Dublin on Friday morning after spending the previous three days exploring Iceland. After hearing about his time exploring the Golden Circle and the Blue Lagoon, I might have to fit in a quick trip when I have the time.

In a two months filled with meeting new people and adjusting to living in a new country, I felt a sense of comfort in seeing a familiar face. I grew up in the Boston area with Joe as a constant presence in my life. He frequently attended my sporting events growing up, was the life of the party at family holidays, and has always been one of those “fun” uncles (“funcle” if you will). His visits are always a good time filled with a lot of laughs. However, last weekend, during our time exploring the streets of Dublin, in addition to the laughs and time spent “catching up”, I felt a special connection with Joe that I hadn’t felt before.

Joe played college basketball at Canisius College in Buffalo, NY during the early 90’s. After graduating, he too took a year to continue his playing career in Ireland. As I mentioned in a previous blog, he played for the Tolka Rovers in Dublin. He lived in Athy (a small town just north of Carlow) with a host family and was also heavily involved with coaching youth basketball clubs and teams, just like me. Carlow is littered with street signs that point in the direction of Athy, and each time I walk by them, I take a quick second to think about Joe and how I am experiencing a lot of the same adventures he did back in the day. I had a great time comparing my experience thus far to his and felt that he could relate to my experiences in Ireland. I also enjoyed listening to him talk about how much Dublin, and Ireland as a whole, had changed and developed in the last 25-30 years.

Before making a pit stop at the Cliffs of Moher and flying back to Boston, Joe caught my game against Father Mathews in Cork on Monday. I played pretty well and our team won 93-78 to win our seventh straight game. Throughout my playing career, I’ve been lucky to have such a supportive family when it comes to attending my games (parents, siblings, relatives, etc.), but it felt a little extra special to have that support across the Atlantic.

Fellow Victory Scholar golfer Mark Kilpatrick and I are understandably anxious to see as many of the great Irish golf courses as possible. While the island of Ireland is (for good reason) known for its seaside links golf, it happens to have some inland gems as well.  A perfect example would be Belvoir Park – which happens to be pronounced as “Beaver Park,” just southeast of Belfast.  A couple Sundays ago, Beaver Park had their junior club championship, and we were invited by Bruce Hogg, a friend and supporter of SCL, and an absolutely great man, to play with some of the competitors (though we obviously were not competing).

Our day could not have been any better – undoubtedly my favorite day so far here in Northern Ireland.  We were treated like royalty, for no other reason than that the members of the club are top class, genuine, friendly people.  We were treated to lunch before heading out to the first tee to meet the kids we were to be playing with.  Supposedly, we were there to maybe teach the kids a thing or two and show them how good they could one day be, or just converse and make friends and play a fun course.  However, I think we were the ones who did some learning.  While I was able to still beat them, it was a bit of a wake up call as a few of these kids are way better than I was at the same age, and one of them truly gave me a run for my money on a tough, windy day.  It was an absolute treat getting to meet and play with a bunch of these boys (aged mostly from 13-18) who are so talented and, more importantly, great kids who are a joy to be around.

After the round was over, we ate dinner and the championship trophy was presented to the winner (by six shots!) who shot an even-par 71, which was an incredible round for a junior golfer in those conditions.  After a bit of hanging out and chatting with the kids and seemingly all the members that were present, we felt like we were members ourselves and that Beaver Park was our home club.  Each member that we talked to – especially our friend Bruce –  kept telling us we were welcome back and that they would love to have us.

It can be easy to forget the value of treating people with such genuine positivity and such a welcoming attitude.  I would jump through hoops for the people I met at Beaver, and would absolutely love to go back as often as I can – not just because the course was great, but because the people were great.  You can find nice people anywhere on the planet, but there just seems to be a higher concentration of them here in Northern Ireland.

After a good team win over LIT on Saturday morning to win our fifth straight game, I took a bus up to Dublin to watch Shay and Rio (Ulster scholars) play against the Tolka Rovers. Rio and I were college teammates and roommates at Amherst the last four years, and it’s been a blessing to be able to have another year together as Victory Scholars with Sport Changes Life. However, I’m glad that we are at different schools and get to have our own experiences this year. That being said, it’s always great to meet up every now and then. So, I jumped at the opportunity to go catch one of his games and enjoy a night out in Dublin with him and some of the other scholars after.

I want to first talk about my “journey” to get to the gym, which was an experience in and of itself. I got off at the bus station in the center of Dublin and took a local bus to the street where the Tolka Rovers Sports Complex is located. I say “street” very loosely because one thing I’ve noticed about Irish addresses is the lack of specifics. They rarely give a street number. It’s typically just the street name and area of the town or city, leaving you to just hope that your desired destination is nearby. This may explain why when we carpool to our games, we follow each other instead of plugging an address into our phones like I would back in the States. It is 2018 after all! It is also difficult because basketball gyms are hard to find and not that popular around Ireland.

Anyways, I got off the local Dublin bus at the correct street and followed my Maps app to where the gym was allegedly located, only to walk to a stretch of residential houses with no gym in sight. After asking several walkers where the gym was, I arrived at the game to catch the start of the second quarter, approximately 1.5 miles of walking later. It turns out the gym is on the same street, Griffith Avenue, but on the completely opposite side I had gotten off the bus and where my Maps indicated it was. You can never completely trust technology!

Sorry for that tangent…

All in all, I caught a good game as Ulster gutted out a win. However, I couldn’t help but think about how weird it felt to sit in the stands and watch Rio play after having played with him for four years. Not only were we on the same team for four years, but we were also almost always on the court at the same time. So, seeing him in a different jersey and not being in uniform alongside him felt a little strange. We weren’t in Amherst anymore (Dorothy Wizard of Oz reference)!!

Another side note is that the game was also played in the same gym my Uncle Joe played in 25 years ago when he played for the Tolka Rovers for a year after he graduated from Canisius College in Buffalo, NY. So, beyond the game itself, my mind wandered to where I was and what it felt like as a spectator that night at the Tolka Rovers Sports Complex.