Dear Bolts Nation: The COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic is changing the way we all handle our day-to-day operations. There is much we still don’t know about how this situation will play out. As this unprecedented crisis continues to evolve, we are having to adapt and reconfigure. Now, more than ever, we’re seeing athletes become creative in their training processes. It’s really inspiring! We want to highlight your talent and effort during this time as well as give a voice to you – the athletes. You may be on your own at home, but you’re not alone. We are in this together! We want to hear from you. How can we help you? What would you like to see more of? Send us an email at Bolts@BostonBolts.com with your story ideas, videos and the creative ways you’re staying sharp while the club season is paused. Eventually, we will transition back to business as usual. We can’t wait to see you soon out on the field… in person!

Bolts Academy Player Henri Richter featured in New England Soccer Journal

What Makes Boston Bolts Defender Henri Richter so Unique? By Jonathan Sigal In his young soccer career,  Henri Richter  (Newton, MA) has already experienced several special moments. There was his training stint with German club Eintracht Frankfurt several years back, or even his crucial role as Milton Academy made the NEPSAC Class A final and won the Independent School League in 2019. Read More

Looking to Improve Your Game? Below is a link to a video with 100 at home individual ball exercises. This is something that can benefit players of all ages. Whether you are a younger player just starting out or a high school age player, these can always be made more challenging by increasing the pace you complete these at or by putting other obstacles in the way, requiring more turning and changes of direction. With all of us under stay at home orders, hopefully this will give you all an opportunity to keep training at home. As a reminder we are recommending a  MINIMUM of 30 minutes per day  with the ball. While we cannot build our team performance during this time, we can all improve individually so that we do return to the field later this spring we are in a position to help our teams and bring an even new dimension to our individual game.

The Impact of Soccer Tournaments Canceling and COVID-19 On Your College Recruiting Process On Wednesday, the NCAA extended its recruiting dead period from April 15th through May 31st. This will have an impact on Class of 2021. Those who need extra viewings from coaches to help seal the deal are hurt, too. Recruiting hasn't come to a halt, but in-person opportunities won’t come around soon, leaving players dependent on video clips and academic profiles to showcase themselves. They’re also trying to cultivate relationships with coaches remotely and completing virtual campus tours. It’s the new normal. College soccer coaches are making scholarship offers and offering roster spot even during this difficult time. There are things you should be doing to move your recruiting process forward. Here are some suggestions: Make sure your highlight video and resume are professionally done Begin coordinating with your club team to see if they are attending soccer tournaments this summer Start looking into summer ID clinics to get in front of college coaches Market yourself through emails to college coaches and begin building relationships Register for this webinar for some guidance. On April 4th at 11AM, NSCA is offering this webinar called 'How to Overcome Not Attending Camps, Combines & Showcases'

US Soccer Development Academy Latest Update The Development Academy season is currently suspended through April 30, 2020. We are continuing to work with local, national and international health officials to determine the next steps moving forward in regard to rescheduling fixtures, completing the regular season and staging the Summer Showcase and Academy Championships. Boys ECNL Latest Update In the utmost consideration of the health and well-being of all participants and partners and to limit potential exposure to the COVID-19 virus, the Elite Clubs National League has suspended all sanctioned league competitions through April 30, 2020, including cancelling the ECNL Boys South Carolina National Event in April, all ECNL Conference Selection Program Events through this date, and all ECNL SuperCup events through this date. This suspension also includes all ECNL sanctioned conference games, as well as ECNL Regional League competitions. Reinstatement of league competitions in the future will be based upon recommendations from appropriate health authorities. New England Premiership (NEP Latest Update THE NEW ENGLAND PREMIERSHIP IS IMMEDIATELY SUSPENDING ALL SANCTIONED LEAGUE COMPETITION SCHEDULED THROUGH APRIL 29, 2020. REINSTATEMENT OF LEAGUE COMPETITION IN THE FUTURE WILL BE BASED UPON RECOMMENDATIONS FROM APPROPRIATE HEALTH AUTHORITIES. OUR FOCUS IS ON THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF ALL NEP PARTICIPANTS AND TO LIMIT POTENTIAL EXPOSURE TO THE COVID-19 VIRUS. ​ CLUBS SHOULD FOLLOW GUIDANCE FROM THEIR LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS AND THE CDC REGARDING DECISIONS ON TRAINING SESSIONS AND/OR OTHER TEAM ACTIVITIES TO ENSURE THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF THEIR PLAYERS, FAMILIES COACHES AND OTHER SUPPORT STAFF.

SOCCERTOWN USA--AN AMERICAN SOCCER DOCUMENTARY In the 1870s, Scottish immigrants brought soccer to Kearny, New Jersey. A few years later, they brought it to Brazil. While the game was spreading across Europe and South America, it was being played in the streets, parks, and playgrounds of a small town just across the meadows from New York City... but a world away. And in the 1980s, when the flame of American soccer was flickering, it was three kids from Kearny who helped save it. SOCCERTOWN, USA is the story of Tab Ramos, John Harkes, and Tony Meola, who grew up with a passion for the game in a country that didn’t share it. It’s the story of the 1990 and 1994 World Cups, when these childhood friends formed the backbone of the United States team that willed its way to famous victories and inspired the generations that would come after. But it’s also the story of a town – an American town – in which we can see the past, the present, and the future of the world's game.

TopYa! Contest Leaderboard Congrats to these Bolts players who are leading the club in this contest! Keep up the great work.

Join Instagram LIVE Today Search for thebrainalwayswins Today is the day! Join us live at 1pm and/or 9pm EST to dive into the brain of John Sullivan, world renown clinical sport psychologist and sport scientist, and discover what you can be doing now and all through quarantine to be resilient and stay on top of your game.  Dr. John Sullivan is a Clinical Sports Psychologist at Providence College and previously was the Senior Sports Scientist for the NFL and NE Patriots

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