Celtic FC, Scotland’s Premier League Side, and Bolts to Share Best Practices in Youth Development

NEWTON, MA (June 29, 2011) – FC Greater Boston Bolts, one of the country’ s premier youth soccer clubs, today announced an Academy Partnership with Celtic Football Club, the leading Glasgow-based side in Scotland’ s Premier League. The clubs will share best practices in the development of youth soccer players.

As part of this partnership, Celtic FC will send academy coaches to the US to spend time working with both Bolts’ players and coaches. Bolts’ coaches will also spend time in Glasgow to get a behind-the-scenes insight into how the club produces young players the Celtic Way. Some of the players will also be invited to spend time at the club’s Lennoxtown Training Centre to aid their development.

“The opportunity to partner with one of the top clubs in international football is extraordinary,” said FC Greater Boston Bolts’ Director of Coaching Brian Ainscough. “Our players and staff will get the opportunity to work with some of the best coaches in the world throughout the year. Hopefully, down the road, one of our top players will be wearing the green and white hoops of Celtic.”

“We are always striving to add to and improve the structure we have in place here domestically,” said Celtic Head of Youth Chris McCart. "We feel that developing strong relationships with like-minded clubs around the globe will provide us with a wonderful platform to share coaching intellect, grow the scouting network and, of course, look out for some young and exciting talent who would compliment and enhance our youth squads here.”

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