On August 30, the Portage College Voyageurs announced Claude Bolton as the Head Coach for the new Men’s and Women’s Soccer Program.
The soccer program will begin this year, but will be a series of exhibition games to not only garner interest in the program, but also bring awareness to it.
Bolton, a Toronto-native, brings a wealth of soccer knowledge with him having both international coaching and playing experience. The Chartered Professional Coach (CHPC) has had professional, national, and provincial coaching appointments in Guyana, Trinidad, India, Alberta, Ontario, and British Columbia. Bolton has also led various varsity programs at Trent University in the Ontario University of Athletics, as well as Keyano College in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC).
Bolton is also licensed by both the United States Soccer Federation and Union of European Football Associations and has headed both Canada’s and Guyana’s Men’s National Futsal teams. He has help guide national teams in regional CONCACAF (The Confederation of North, Central American, and Caribbean Association Football) Tournaments, including the final round of the 2016 Women’s Olympic Qualifying when he coached Guyana.
He has also served as the Regional Head and Youth Development Coach for two Major League Soccer (MLS) Clubs, the: New York Red Bulls, and Vancouver White Caps FC.
Bolton has also received the 3M Recognition Award for his outstanding contribution to support community soccer in Ontario.
“I am extremely humbled, excited, and proud that I get to be Portage College’s first [head soccer coach],” said Bolton.
Excited about joining the Voyageur team and moving to Lac La Biche
Joining the Voyageur program from India where he was coaching one of their women’s soccer team, Bolton said how surprised he was with how supportive everyone was for the program upon one of his first trips to the area.
“Everyone I met was so supportive. It did not matter who they were, they were caring and welcomed me. You could tell that they were proud of their community ... that is also what makes me excited to be their coach.”
“During the process to hire our first coach we were looking for someone that had the experience of coaching in a post-secondary setting, technical background with all ages of athletes, understanding of the international student process, ability to recruit high quality student-athletes, good communicator and organized,” said Jim Knight, Portage College’s Manager of Athletics.
“This is a coach with passion for the sport that will build our program from the ground up, and take on the challenge of building a competitive ACAC soccer program for both the Men’s and Women’s teams,” said Knight.
Focused on Being the Best Program it can be
Bolton aims to build the Voyageur’s program to be the best that it can be, but to also be a good resource for students to ensure that they get the best education they can.
“I want to have a competitive program, but also have an environment that is conducive to them being student-athletes. With my prior experience, and actively working with the Voyageurs Athletics department, I can be that resource for these student-athletes to ensure that they receive the most they can,” said Bolton.
The new soccer coach will be moving to the area, which he joked was just in time for the Honeymoon Suite Concert on September 22 at the Bold Center.
“I heard that Honeymoon Suite was coming and I got excited. I used to listen to them all the time in their prime. I can’t wait to see them,” laughed Bolton.
Following this year's exhibition season which begins this fall, The Voyageurs will be part of the ACAC official soccer season for both the Men’s and Women’s teams in 2019/2020.