Photo Courtesy: UNBC Athletics

By Ethan Ready, Files from UNBC Athletics

Timberwolves Soccer

Matthew Botelho sticks to home, joins Timberwolves

Aug 26, 2021 | 10:29 AM

PRINCE GEORGE – His last name may be familiar, but he is ready to forge his own path in UNBC colours. Today, the University of Northern British Columbia Men’s Soccer team officially announced the commitment of Prince George product Matthew Botelho for the 2021 Canada West season and beyond.

“It’s a great feeling, honestly, because I have been working towards this for years now. I finally achieved what I wanted to achieve. I am on this team, and I am proud to say I am a Timberwolf.”

The younger brother of long-time Timberwolf Johnathan Botelho, Matthew grew up attending UNBC varsity games. A gritty defender who projects as a fullback at the U SPORTS level, Botelho is excited to make the jump from the youth tier to the highest level of university soccer in the country.

“I have been watching the team for a couple years. Obviously, when my brother was on the team. He was telling me I would have to play, so we could say we played for the same team. He would come home and tell me how much he loved training. He said I’d make friends for life here, and I have to do it. So, I had to do it. I had to work hard to become a Timberwolf, and here I am.”

Growing up in the Prince George Youth Soccer Association, Botelho also trained with the Timberwolves Academy under UNBC assistant coach Francesco Bartolillo. The 18-year-old identified UNBC as a potential landing spot and poured his energy into taking that step in the community that shaped him.

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“To be a rostered member of the Timberwolves it is awesome. To play at the highest level in Canada, it is a real achievement. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity and it’s something I will never forget. In my five or six years here, I will love every minute of it.”

UNBC coach Steve Simonson worked with Johnathan Botelho for five seasons, and knew of Matthew when he was a young teenager. His newest recruit made it clear to him that he aspired to be a Timberwolf, and Simonson says Matthew’s growth should inspire young players in Northern B.C.

“It’s great to have a young local prospect like Mathew join us this fall. He has been impressive as a young developmental player and has shown all the characteristics needed to join our program. Matt is an intelligent player and he truly epitomizes the character we are looking for in an incoming player. We are excited to see his transition into university soccer.”

Botelho oozes compete level on the pitch, never giving up on a battle. A member of the PGYSA U18 team that earned provincial bronze, as well as the captain of the College Heights Secondary School team, he offered a scouting report of what Timberwolves fans can expect from him over the next five years.

“When someone has the ball, I do everything I can to win it, at all costs. If the player goes by me, the ball doesn’t, and if the ball goes by me, the player doesn’t. I will always try to win that ball.”

A 2021 graduate of CHSS, and winner of the school’s top business student award, Botelho will study Commerce at UNBC with aspirations to own a business in the athletics industry. The Timberwolves open the Canada West season in September, and the newest TWolf is excited to continue a journey that started when he was four-years-old.

“I played with a bunch of the guys here and in the academy over the past couple years. They told me I deserve this. It is going to be really nice because I am going to play for them, I am going to play for my family, I am going to play for my brother, and I am going to play for myself and my own passion.”