BVB International Academy Waterloo explained

Clubname:	BVB International Academy Waterloo
Upright:	0.8
Fullname:	Waterloo Minor Soccer Club
Founded:	1971 (as Waterloo Minor SC) 2022 (as BVB IA Waterloo)
Stadium:	Warrior Field, University of Waterloo
Mgrtitle:	Head Coach
Manager:	John O'Brien (men) Chris Kraemer (women)
League:	League1 Ontario
Season:	2023
Position:	League1 Ontario, 21st (men) League1 Ontario, 10th (women)
Current:	2024 League1 Ontario season
Website:	https://www.bvbinternationalacademy-waterloo.com/

BVB International Academy Waterloo is a Canadian semi-professional soccer club based in Waterloo, Ontario that plays in the League1 Ontario men's and women's divisions. Their home stadium is Warrior Field at the University of Waterloo.^[1]

Waterloo United partnered with Borussia Dortmund in 2022, becoming part of their BVB International Academy America program, rebranding the League1 Ontario club under this name.

History

The club was founded in 1971 as the Waterloo Minor Soccer Club.^[2] In 2011, the club rebranded as Waterloo United. In 2019, the club was awarded the Canada Soccer National Youth Club Licence by the Canadian Soccer Association.^[3]

In 2020, the team was to begin play with a U21 team in the League1 Ontario Reserve Division, however, the season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, lining up with the club's 50th anniversary, they added a team in the League1 Ontario main division.^{[4] [5]} The club also added a team in the League1 Ontario women's division for the 2021 season.^[6] The city of Guelph also added men's and women's teams in 2021, setting up a natural local rivalry for the two clubs.^[7] However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Waterloo deferred their entrance to the League1 Ontario top division until 2022.^[8]

In 2022, the club struck an affiliation agreement with German club Borussia Dortmund.^{[9] [10]} As part of the agreement, the League1 Ontario teams will compete under the name BVB IA Waterloo.^{[11] [12]}

Squad

^[13]

Seasons

Men

Season	League	Teams		Rank	Playoffs	Ref
2021	League1 Ontario Summer Championship	11	2–5–0	5th	–
2022	League1 Ontario	22	7–1–13	15th	Did not qualify
2023		21	1–0–19	21st	Did not qualify

Women

Season	League	Teams		Rank	Playoffs	League Cup	Ref
2021	League1 Ontario Summer Championship	7	2–1–3	4th	–	–
2022	League1 Ontario	20	4–3–12	16th	Did not qualify	–
2023		19	7–3–8	10th	Did not qualify	–
2024	League1 Ontario Championship	10	11–3–4		–	Round of 16

External links

• BVB International Academy Waterloo website
• BVB International Academy America website
• Waterloo United website

Notes and References

1. Web site: Waterloo United ring in 50th anniversary with ‘natural progression’ to League1 Ontario. Brady. Reid. April 21, 2021. League1 Ontario.
2. Web site: WMSC History. Waterloo United.
3. Web site: Kids in Sports: Waterloo United recognized as high achieving club. September 3, 2019. Alana. Thoman. Waterloo Chroncle.
4. Web site: League1 Ontario adds four men's teams for 2021. January 28, 2021. League1 Ontario.
5. Web site: League1 Ontario Adds Four New Teams. John. Jacques. January 28, 2021. Northern Tribune.
6. Web site: League1 Ontario adds three women's teams for 2021. February 3, 2021. League1 Ontario.
7. Web site: Semi-pro soccer teams coming to Waterloo, for men and women. February 4, 2021. Mark. Pare. Kitchener Today.
8. Web site: A Bluffer’s Guide to BVB IA Waterloo. July 14, 2022. League1 Ontario.
9. Web site: Waterloo Minor Soccer Club strikes affiliation deal with Borussia Dortmund. February 16, 2022. Josh. Brown. Waterloo Region Record.
10. Web site: Waterloo United Partners With Borussia Dortmund. Waterloo United SC.
11. Web site: Announcing BVB International Academy- Waterloo. Nancy. Lane. December 13, 2021. BVB International Academy.
12. Web site: League1 Ontario Announces Men's Premier Division Schedule. League1 Ontario. March 18, 2022.
13. Web site: BVB IA Waterloo. League 1 Ontario.