BVB International Academy Waterloo

BVB International Academy Waterloo

Full name	Waterloo Minor Soccer Club
Founded	1971 (as Waterloo Minor SC) 2022 (as BVB IA Waterloo)
Stadium	Warrior Field, University of Waterloo
Head Coach	John O'Brien (men) Chris Kraemer (women)
League	League1 Ontario
2024	L1O-C, 9th (men) L1O-C, 1st - promoted (women)
Website	https://www.bvbinternationalacademy-waterloo.com/
Current season

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. ^[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]}

Seasons

Men

Season	League	Teams	Record	Rank	Playoffs	League Cup	Ref
2021	League1 Ontario Summer Championship	11	2–5–0	5th	–	not held
2022	League1 Ontario	22	7–1–13	15th	Did not qualify	not held
2023		21	1–0–19	21st	Did not qualify	not held
2024	League1 Ontario Championship	10	4–4–10	9th	–	Round of 16

Women

Season	League	Teams	Record	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	Champions	–	Round of 16

Notable former players

The following players have either played at the professional or international level, either before or after playing for the League1 Ontario team:

Men

• Wesley Cain
• Zachary Ellis-Hayden
• Ricky Gomes
• Marko Maletic

External links

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

References

1. Reid, Brady (April 21, 2021). "Waterloo United ring in 50th anniversary with 'natural progression' to League1 Ontario". League1 Ontario .
2. "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.