Dear Bolts Families:

For many of us, we are in our 7th week of home-schooling and the change to life as we knew it. We realize that you are all juggling a whole new way of life so please remember to take time for yourself each day to catch your breath. Some days are more challenging than others, but always remember to find the positive. At the end of this, we will end up stronger than ever. Hang in there. Enjoy this more quiet time with your family and kids. As much as we are missing the soccer field, there are a lot of great things we are getting to do and explore. With that being said, we cannot wait to get back to doing what we love! 

Enjoy your week and we will send a further updates on Friday in the Bolts Insider
CLUB SURVEY
When we are able to return to play, health guidelines and protocols will dictate much of what that will look like. We want to know what you think about some of the options being discussed.

Please complete this quick 3 question survey .
SPECIAL GUEST JOINS BOLTS VIDEO CALL
**DIEGO FAGUNDEZ**

We invite all players in the club to this very special event.
Thursday, April 30th at 5PM
From PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: JOIN

Diego Fagundez is a Uruguayan born professional soccer player who currently plays for the New England Revolution. He began playing locally in town soccer, eventually moving into club soccer where he played for current Bolts Director of Scouting & Academy Coach Dan Colwell.

Playing for Boston Bolts when he was 12, 13, and 14 years old, Diego made his biggest impact on youth soccer winning state championships, Region 1 League and National events with his Bolts team. During this time Diego caught the eye of US Soccer and was called into US Youth National Team camps. He represented Uruguay at the U17 South American Championships and was later called into the U20 National Team.

At the age of 15, Diego signed his first professional contract making him the youngest homegrown player signed in MLS history with the New England Revolution. He is currently in his 10th season with the Revolution and in his 3rd season was named Team MVP. He has scored 52 goals so far in his career currently putting him 2nd in goals scored in Revolution history. At 25 years old, Diego is the youngest player in MLS History to record over 100 appearances and 50 goals and is the first homegrown player to log over 10,000 minutes in league history.

Email your questions for Diego HERE
Send the questions before Noon on Thurs
Since the beginning of the pandemic and its subsequent effects on our economy, Bolts staff have asked, 'How can we help our club families?' From that we are launching two initiatives: Small Business Spotlight and Community Marketplace.

SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
More than ever small business owners in our communities need us. In an effort to support small business, Bolts will be offering FREE Small Business Spotlights on our social media channels to show our support and to offer inspiration to other business owners. If you have a business or know any business owners who would like to be featured, please complete the google form below to submit their stories to us. Small businesses with 1 to 100 employees, as well as solo entrepreneurs are eligible. 

BOLTS COMMUNITY MARKETPLACE
We have so much talent in our Bolts community, and others, who are looking for help and we want to provide a connection. We are creating our own Bolts Community Marketplace for Services, Housing (do you have an apartment to rent?), Jobs (Are you hiring?), and Items For Sale. There are a lot of great public charities doing fantastic work, but this is one way we can share within and among our Bolts community. We will develop a list internally and share information if you have something to sell, barter, trade or donate.  

Please complete the google form below to have your business or service included. We will contact you before publication and only share your contact info with your permission.
US CLUB SOCCER UPDATE

As a number of states and local jurisdictions begin planning for a phased return to normalcy, US Club Soccer has targeted May 18th as the date we hope to return decision-making authority to our local leagues. This is subject to change, but it is our hope that our members can begin to sensibly return to the fields after that, subject to some requirements and recommendations.

US Club Soccer is the governing body for NEP, NPL, ECNL and RDL.

The return-to-play decision is a complicated one. We understand just how important it is for clubs, coaches, parents and players to play organized soccer again. As parts of the country begin to open up over the coming weeks, we encourage everyone to exercise extreme caution and continue to abide by public health experts' guidelines for hygiene, physical distancing, facemask use, etc. You can read about those guidelines on   this CDC web page.

When play does resume in your area, we'll require compliance with safety measures that adhere to the CDC and federal and local governments. The federal guidelines for states to resume business activities are outlined on   this federal "Opening America" web page . In this phased approach, "schools and organized youth activities" – including sporting venues – are listed in the second phase, which is applicable for states and regions with no evidence of a rebound and that satisfy all establishing criteria.

We're hopeful that the continued suspension of activities until May 18th puts us in a position to begin Phase 2. We will continue to monitor the situation and follow up the week prior with a return-to-play decision.
BOLTS FIFA 20 QUARANTINE CUP TOURNAMENT

So, you think you have some serious skills on FIFA20? Put them to the test!

  • Registration closes Tues 4/28
  • Players are randomly assigned to a team
  • Free to enter
  • Open to XBox and PlayStation users
  • Two divisions: U9-12 and U13+
  • Prizes
  • Players are guaranteed 3 games
  • Limited to 32 players in each division
Contact Us to register or if you have any questions
POSITIONAL VIDEO ANALYSIS

From the East Region Director and coaches, here is an activity they are working on this week.
Links to You Tube videos below of players at certain positions who are playing at the highest level in the world. These are short videos and it can be beneficial and fun for the boys to watch professionals they likely know, with a breakdown of technique and how they play the position. This week we will cover the role of defenders and the central midfielder. Next week we will add video of other players and their role on the field. 
NOTES
  • Governor Baker has just announced the stay at home order will remain in effect through May 18th. We hope to learn more about the guidelines around groups gathering (training sessions) and the specific details with actual competition (games) very soon.
  • With the league pushed back, match play will likely continue into July this year (pending the start date). 
  • All of the NEP clubs are committed to getting back onto the field as soon as it is safe to do so for the players, families and coaches. We will not rush into anything to be "first". As we have said from the outset the safety of our players, families and staff will remain our primary concern as we navigate when we get back onto the field.  

The Bolts will continue to be transparent and communicate to all our club members. You will hear the club's latest plans directly from us!

Stay safe and healthy,

Boston Bolts
Boston Bolts | BostonBolts.com