Hey everyone, this is Colin checking in with you again from Belfast.

Last Thursday, we had the first integrated training session between our players from Dunmurry High School and St. Colm's College. TJ, Dave, and I arrived at Dunmurry about twenty minutes before we anticipated the guys from St. Colm's to be dropped off (generously driven by Diane Brennan). We messed around with the Dunmurry lads for a bit, got them playing some games of taps, and put them into some running and shooting drills: to put it simply, we were really just trying to funnel their pulsating energy into something productive.

Dave and TJ waited outside at the school with a few of the guys from Dunmurry to welcome and help escort the St. Colm's players into the sports hall while I handled the other Dunmurry players in the school. Around 3:20, a couple of the Dunmurry lads came buzzing into the gym to deliver the news of St. Colm's bus having just pulled into the parking lot. A short while later, Dave, TJ, and Diane accompanied in the somewhat wary group of St. Colm's players. The energy and excitement in the gym was something truly great to experience though too difficult to define.

As we did at our first integrated training session between St. Joe's and Orangefield, we immediately started the guys running, moving and playing. The first twenty minutes or so were spent on passing drills, 2 v 1 fast-breaks, some ball handling, relay races, etc. We had to be a bit creative with our construction of the training session because the main hall at Dunmurry was occupied by desks resulting from the past week's exam period. Nevertheless, we adapted to the circumstances provided, and the guys were really gelling. By the time we put them into a rotating 4 v. 4 v. 4 drill, they were high-fiving one another, cutting through the lane, delivering good passes, and having a great time through-out.

The skill levels but perhaps more importantly the personalities of the two groups are so similar that they seemed almost instantly comfortable sharing the court. Each group of kids independently has just the right mix of jokesters, leaders, and more chilled-out individuals. I think this dynamic was essential for the coalescing of the group, and I can't wait to get them back out on the court at St. Colm's today.

I'll keep you all posted.

- Colin

Hey guys, this is Colin reporting back regarding the progress of our two teams here in Belfast.

The Belfast Blazers, compiled of students from Orangefield High School and St. Joseph's College, commenced their training this week after a rejuvenating holiday season. The first training session was scheduled for Monday, January 12, but was forced into cancellation by another gas explosion on the Orangefield campus. The entire school once again was evacuated, and the facilities closed for the afternoon.

Nonetheless, St. Joseph's hosted the second weekly training session on Wednesday, and the guys jumped right back into the swing of things. There was definitely a little rust on some of the lads' skills but they were pushing through and finding their rhythm by the end. The momentum from last semester has certainly carried over, and we're looking forward to getting them back in the gym on Monday.

This afternoon, we will have our first integrated training session between Dunmurry High School and St. Colm's College. We met and trained with both groups of guys independently on Tuesday, and they are all psyched to finally be getting together and to really start forming the team. I can't wait to get moving either. I'll post a review of how the practice goes by tomorrow morning.

Take care everyone, and I'll be checking in again soon.

- Colin

After a refreshing couple of weeks back home in Westchester, NY Colin and I are excited to get back into the gym with our teams as students start to trickle back into school after the long holiday break. We have an exciting time ahead of us as our players start to develop and our teams start to compete against other local schools. All of this is of course leading up to this summer's big trip to the United States which will also require a strong effort with regards to fundraising. As always, you can check back here as we will continue to have updates regarding progress Full Court Peace is making, on and off the court. For any further information, please do not hesitate to contact to email me at TJReynolds@fullcourtpeace.org or on my mobile 07874907353. Have a Happy New Year!