Colton Bly joined the WNY Flash Academy in February of 2019. In addition to his coaching duties, Bly currently serves as the club’s Boys Youth Program Director and Director of Camps, Clinics, and Partner Clubs.

A native of Bradford, Pa., Bly is truly a rising star in the youth academy landscape.

Prior to joining the WNY Flash Academy, he spent one year as the Director of Coaching for BC United in Beaver Falls, Pa., helping to grow the club from six teams to 13 teams. During the same time, he would also serve as an assistant coach in the PA-West Olympic Development Program, working with the girls U13 team.

Bly’s coaching career began immediately following a back injury during his playing career at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, serving as a travel coach for the Bradford United Soccer Club from 2014-17 and the Head Girls Varsity Soccer Coach at Bradford Area High School in 2017.

In addition to holding a USSF National “B” License, four U.S. Soccer Grassroots Licenses (4v4, 7v7, 9v9, and 11v11), and a United Soccer Coaches Level 2 Goalkeeping Diploma, Bly has a bachelor’s degree in K-12 Health and Physical Education with a minor in Athletic Coaching from the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. He is currently an applicant for the U.S. Soccer ‘A-Youth’ course in the fall of 2020.

Bly resides in Olean, N.Y.