December 9th, 2025 | NEWS
When I first arrived in Belfast a few months ago, I felt the significant impact and pivotal feel of a new life chapter. The air was crisper and the oceanic climate felt different than New Jersey. The pace of the city was quieter and friendlier than NYC, but there was an energy under the surface. I noticed the murals, the walls, the flags, and the way different parts of the city looked and felt. I could tell right away that this place had a complicated story and that people here have lived through a lot. The past is not hidden, but it also does not define everything. There is a sense of resilience here that you can feel even on a rainy walk to the bus stop.
As the days turned into weeks, Belfast stopped feeling like a place I was visiting and started to feel like somewhere I belonged. Routine helped me settle in quickly: early alarms for community sessions, buses to and from the city, grabbing food before and after class. As a Victory Scholar with Sport Changes Life and an ambassador for the Kingsbridge Foundation, most of my time is split between three roles: a sports mentor helping to run sessions with kids and seniors in local schools, clubs, and community centers; a student attending classes and working towards a Master’s degree in Marketing at Ulster University; and a member of the Ulster University basketball team in the Division One National League. It sounds busy on paper, and it is, but the roles all feed into each other. They all come back to sport, growth, and community.
Working with young people has probably been the most eye-opening part of my time here so far. Many of the kids I coach know that Belfast has a complicated history, even if they do not know all the details. Yet they choose to always look forward, embrace new opportunities, and show up to every session with great enthusiasm and appreciation. They ask questions. They encourage each other. When we introduce new games or challenges designed to build communication and confidence, they rarely hesitate. They jump in, even when they are unsure. Their attitude and energy is infectious!
I see a similar spirit when I work with seniors. Some are there to stay active. Some are there to talk and connect. Some are there to try something new, even if it feels uncomfortable. It reminds me that sport is not only about competition. It is a way to create conversation, build trust, and share small moments of joy on a random weekday afternoon. Being part of these sessions, and having the opportunity to connect with these people has helped me to no longer see Belfast as a foreign place, but rather as a community I am lucky to be part of in just a few short months.
On the court, I try to carry the same mindset I see from the people I work with. If my shot is not falling or the game is not going my way, I think about the things I can control. I can rebound and defend harder. I can talk more on the court. I can raise my energy and sprint the floor to create space for others. When a game gets tight, I think about the kids I work with who attack every new game with no fear. They do not overthink. They compete, have fun and embrace the opportunity. This has helped me refocus when things are not going perfectly. It is a simple approach, but it is a great way to respond to pressure.
The more time I spend here, the more I understand how much the people shape this city. The weather is often grey. The food is different from what I grew up with but the dairy products are amazingly better. The warmth of the people cancels out the greyness and the rain. Strangers have helped me with directions. Staff at Ulster and volunteers in the community take real interest in how I am settling in. Friendships form quickly here, and they feel genuine. I already know that some of the relationships I have made will last long after my time as a Victory Scholar is over.
I am also grateful for the chance to see how Sport Changes Life operates from the inside. Everyone I have met in the organization is fully committed to their mission and cares deeply about using sport to make a difference. They think about the little details that make each session meaningful, not just the big events that show up in photos. They support us as scholars and interns, but they also challenge us to grow, to give more, and to stay present in the communities we serve. It is rare to find a group so aligned around a simple idea: using sport to change lives, one person at a time.
My first few months in Belfast have been full of new experiences, new challenges, and new perspectives. I arrived as a basketball player and student. I now feel like a small part of a much larger story that involves kids learning to lead, seniors longing to stay connected, and a city that continues to move forward full of hope and unlimited potential. I am thankful for the chance to be here, to learn here, and to represent Sport Changes Life, Kingsbridge Foundation and Ulster University. I am excited to see what the rest of the year brings.
– Jack
