Real Boston Rams News Release
Thursday, December 20, 2012
BOSTON – The Real Boston Rams are proud to announce the appointment of Jim Costa as the franchise's first Head Coach.
“The Real Boston Rams are excited and fortunate to have someone of coach Costa’s caliber take control of the team.” Boston’s GM John Barata said. “Our plan is to support Jim the best we can and to provide a professional soccer experience for our players and fans. I am confident in Jim’s abilities as a coach and a motivator. I am excited about the future and know that he will do a fantastic job with the team.”
“I’m so excited to be involved with the Real Boston Rams and to be part of the top amateur league in the nation.” Costa said. “Real Boston is a forward-thinking club committed to winning, player development and community involvement. With a wealth of area talent and the local passion for the game, I felt this was the ideal scenario for me to embark on a new journey in my coaching career.”
Costa has more than 20 years of extensive coaching experience at the premier club, high school, Olympic Development, and college level to go along with his collegiate and semi-professional playing experience. A former Massachusetts Olympic Development coach, Costa is currently the Head Assistant Men’s Coach at Lesley University, where he has helped lead the young program to four conference finals, three ECAC Tournaments and the NCAA Tournament during his six seasons at the Division III institution. The men’s team has gone to amass a record of 57 wins, 19 losses, and 6 ties within the last four years while gaining the reputation as a regional power.
While still playing, he began his coaching career at the club and high school level developing several players who have gone on to play for highly competitive Division I college programs. Costa is the former technical director for Eastern Mass FC and has recently accepted the same position with the Real Boston Soccer Academy which will allow him to focus on all of the youth academy teams with the ultimate goal of creating the top youth academy in the region.
After completing his high school career, where he was selected as a three-time all-star and MVP of his senior season, Costa went on to play college soccer at Massasoit CC, helping the program win their first NJCAA Division I National Championship in 1986. After graduating, he began a 10-year career as a semi-professional player in the highly competitive L.A.S.A. league, where he went on to become a three-time All Star. Costa was also his club's captain for eight seasons , and had the honor of being selected to play in numerous international tournaments in Western Europe.
Costa currently holds the USSF B License, NSCAA Advanced National Diploma, KNVB Dutch Advanced Diploma, NSCAA National Goalkeeping Diploma, NSCAA Director of Coaching Diploma, and USSF National Youth License. He is a member of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America as well as the United States Soccer Coaches Organization.