BVB International Academy Waterloo


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]

BVB International Academy Waterloo
Full nameWaterloo Minor Soccer Club
Founded1971 (as Waterloo Minor SC)
2022 (as BVB IA Waterloo)
StadiumWarrior Field, University of Waterloo
Head CoachJohn O'Brien (men)
Chris Kraemer (women)
LeagueLeague1 Ontario
2023League1 Ontario, 21st (men)
League1 Ontario, 10th (women)
WebsiteClub website
Current season

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

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The club was founded in 1971 as the Waterloo Minor Soccer Club.[2] In 2011, the club rebranded as Waterloo United.[2] 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,[2] 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

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As of 17 June 2024[13]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No.Pos. NationPlayer
GK  CANIsiah Cook
DF  CANYasser Hassan
DF  CANFredua Osei
DF  CANAdi Ponjevic
DF  CANKoosha Nazemi
DF  CANNikola Stakic
DF  CANRussell Stewart
DF  CANMalachi Ramsay
DF  CANStrahinja Vekovic
DF  ITALuigi Renna
DF  CANMarko Lesic
MF  CANAlex Amaral
MF  CANNikolas Antolcic
MF  CANRandy Ribeiro
No.Pos. NationPlayer
MF  CANJeremiah Arisekola-Ojo
MF  CANSamuel Henriques
MF  CANMatthew Mills
MF  LBRThomas Sackor
FW  CANMalek Aborig
FW  CANGamtessa Berehe
FW  CANLuca Romano
FW  CROJosip-Pavle Stojanovic
FW  CANWesley Cain
 CANDavid Edgar
 CANAndy Li
 CANOliver Love
 NGAChinemerem Onwukwe
 CANJasjit Singh

Seasons

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SeasonLeagueTeamsRecordRankPlayoffsRef
2021League1 Ontario Summer Championship112–5–05th
2022League1 Ontario227–1–1315thDid not qualify
2023211–0–1921stDid not qualify

Women

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SeasonLeagueTeamsRecordRankPlayoffsRef
2021League1 Ontario Summer Championship72–1–34th
2022League1 Ontario204–3–1216thDid not qualify
2023197–3–810thDid not qualify
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References

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