Hayden Barbosa named new Head Men's Soccer Coach

Hayden Barbosa named new Head Men's Soccer Coach

(Nashua, N.H.) The Rivier University Department of Athletics is pleased to announce that Hayden Barbosa has been selected to become the new Head Coach for Men's Soccer. Barbosa becomes just the seventh coach in the history of the program.

Barbosa bring his enthusiasm and experience to Nashua's only four year university after previously serving as an assistant coach at both Lasell College and most recently – Daniel Webster College. While at Lasell, where he is a graduate, he held primary responsibilities for training the goalkeepers and overseeing all recruiting aspects in helping the program to a Great Northeast Athletic Conference Championship game appearance and a selection to the ECAC tournament in 2012. In his time across town at Daniel Webster, he helped that program to two New England Collegiate Conference titles and a pair of trips to the NCAA Tournament.

In 2016 he served as Head Coach for the Greater Lowell United "Dragons" in their final season in the NPSL (National Premier Soccer League).  A 4th tier Amateur Professional team in the American soccer pyramid.  During this season he showcased some of the region's most notable Division I, II and III players while capturing 4th place in one of the most competitive conferences in the country.  The club also sent 4 players to the NPSL Combine.  

He is the current Director of Player Development, Director of Coaching for LHIFA S.C. (Latinos Hispanics International Futbol Association) a youth soccer club that serves the community of Nashua, N.H.  LHIFA S.C. is an organization that not only prides itself on player development but aims to counter the "pay-to-play" concept.  Through civic engagement and volunteering, its players and their families spend countless hours organizing several exciting annual events in Nashua, N.H.  It is through their ultra-low annual fees, public events and sponsors the organization raises funds to propel its sustainment.  Barbosa is proud of his 5 teams recent success as they captured a total 5 state championships during the '16 and '17 fall and spring seasons.

As a student-athlete, Barbosa guided the Lasers to the North Atlantic Conference Championship in 2004 and the program's first ever NCAA Tournament appearance in 2005 while being tabbed to the NAC All-Conference First Team and selected to the NEISL All-Star Game. While he was a member of the Nashua (South) High School soccer team – he led them to the 1998 Class "L" State Championship and was All-State selection in 2000.  

Barbosa is the owner and director of Clubfoot Soccer Clinics. He holds several advanced Coaching Licenses through the USC (formerly NSCAA) and has a background in education and sports management.  He is the proud son of Debra and the local soccer legend, Manny "Boom-Boom" Barbosa.  He currently resides in Nashua, with his girlfriend Kerry and their 4 kids.