Mike Evans’ memoir about bringing Protestant and Catholic kids together through basketball in war-torn Belfast
A Fabulous Memoir That Changes How You See Sports Forever
Mike Evans has written something truly extraordinary in “The Belfast Blazers: Journeys of an American Basketball Coach in Ireland.” This isn’t just another basketball book—it’s a fabulous memoir that chronicles one young coach’s incredible journey from aspiring hooper with grand plans to coach in his ancestral homeland of Ireland, to becoming a bridge-builder in a world torn apart by centuries of bloodshed, resentment, and hate.
When Basketball Becomes a Language of Peace
What Coach Evans accomplished seems unthinkable—bringing together kids from Protestant and Catholic communities who had been taught to fear and distrust each other, and getting them to play basketball together on the same court. In Belfast, where history is written in blood and division runs deeper than family roots, Evans weaves an inspiring story of how these young players— Niall, Robert, Welly, Simon, David, Fergie, Marty, Daniel, Liam, Marc from Philippines, and James from China—developed a genuine love of basketball that united them as teammates and, more importantly, as friends.
The way Evans tells their individual stories is brilliant—these characters truly come to life on the page. You feel Marc’s crucial early leadership that helped establish the team’s foundation. You witness the gradual transformation as players from both communities slowly began trusting their teammates. You experience the magic when James arrived from China, proving that basketball’s unifying power knows no boundaries—religious, cultural, or geographical.
A Coach Wrestling With His Own Destiny
What makes this memoir so compelling is watching Coach Evans wrestle with his own path and his unwavering determination to do something that seemed impossible. His personal journey—from a struggling young player facing his own failures to becoming someone willing to risk everything for an ideal—is as captivating as the team’s story.
Evans doesn’t shy away from his own vulnerabilities and mistakes. His honest account of how poorly he played when he first arrived in Belfast, his moments of doubt, and his growing understanding of what real leadership means creates an authentic narrative that had me rooting for him every step of the way.
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Unexpected Encounters That Reaffirm an Impossible Mission
The book takes fascinating turns as Evans meets extraordinary people who help reaffirm his passion and quest. His encounters with the Dalai Lama provide spiritual grounding for his mission, while his meetings with IRA and UDA leaders offer stark reminders of how deep the divisions run. These aren’t just name-drops—Evans uses these encounters to show how his simple idea of kids playing basketball together resonated with people across the spectrum of conflict and peace.
These meetings reinforce just how remarkable his achievement was. When former enemies of a decades-long conflict recognize the power of what you’re doing, you know you’re onto something profound.
The Magical Storybook Ending We All Dream Of
The crescendo comes when Evans brings his Belfast Blazers to the United States—a moment that creates the kind of magical storybook ending that gives you chills. Watching these young men who had overcome centuries of inherited hatred experience America together, seeing how their friendships had grown beyond what anyone thought possible, provides a payoff that feels both earned and deeply moving.
This trip isn’t just a reward—it’s proof of how far they’d all traveled, not just geographically, but emotionally and spiritually.
The Legacy That Continues Today
The impact of Evans’ work in Belfast didn’t end when the team disbanded. His transformative experience with Niall, Robert, Welly, Simon, David, Fergie, Marty, Daniel, Liam, Marc, and James inspired him to found Full Court Peace, an organization that continues to use basketball as a tool for conflict resolution and unity around the world. What began as one young coach’s impossible dream in Belfast has grown into a global mission, proving that the lessons learned on those Irish courts have universal application.
Full Court Peace stands as testament to the ripple effects of Evans’ original vision—that basketball can break down barriers anywhere they exist. The organization continues the work that started with eleven young men in Belfast, showing that what happened there wasn’t a one-time miracle, but a replicable model for positive change.
Why This Book Demands Your Attention
Evans has crafted a fantastic look into his own growth, passion, and journey that serves as a blueprint for anyone who believes change is possible. His memoir demonstrates how sports can break down the walls that divide us and create bonds that seemed unthinkable. The fact that his Belfast experience led to founding Full Court Peace shows this wasn’t just a feel-good story—it was the beginning of a lifelong mission to use basketball as a force for good in the world.
Life Lessons That Hit Different
This is a great read filled with lessons we can all learn from:
- Power of sports to unite: Basketball became the universal language that transcended centuries of conflict
- Leadership through vulnerability: Evans shows that admitting your failures often becomes your greatest strength
- Youth as agents of change: These kids proved that young people can choose a different path than the one history laid out for them
- Persistence in the face of doubt: The journey wasn’t smooth, but Evans never gave up on his vision
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A Story That Stays With You
The reader is left wanting more—and that’s the mark of exceptional storytelling. Evans has written a memoir that will make you laugh, cry, and believe in the power of sports to change the world. More importantly, it will make you examine your own life and ask what impossible thing you might be called to attempt.
In a world that often feels divided beyond repair, “The Belfast Blazers” reminds us that sometimes all it takes is a basketball, a dream, and the courage to bring together kids who love to play. Coach Mike Evans didn’t just build a basketball team—he built a bridge to the future, one friendship at a time.
Rating: ★★★★★ Verdict: Essential reading that will change how you see sports, conflict, and the power of one person’s determination to do good in the world.
About Mike Evans:
Mike Evans went to Belfast at 22 to play basketball but instead discovered his true calling: using the sport to unite divided communities. He brought together Protestant and Catholic teenagers on the Belfast Blazers team, proving that basketball could bridge centuries of conflict. This experience led him to found Full Court Peace, an organization that uses basketball for peacebuilding worldwide, while also running Right Angle Shooting for player development and partnering with Real Hoops showcases for high school athletes seeking college opportunities. Author of “The Belfast Blazers,” Evans continues to demonstrate that basketball is a universal language that breaks down barriers and opens doors for young people everywhere.
