As part of the renewed drive to enhance soccer development in Canada, Borussia Dortmund International Academy Waterloo (BVB IA) is leading the way in nurturing future stars for the country through its rich soccer program for youngsters in Ontario’s Waterloo Region. 

A cross-section of the club’s under-14 boys who attended BVB IA Waterloo Media Day on Sunday, 24th February expressed satisfaction with the football knowledge gained at the club as they encouraged their mates in the tri-cities (Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo) to venture into soccer.

James Serrao and Sebastian Rodriguez described their experience at the club as fantastic while thanking the coaching crew for aiding their career growth as they hope to become established players capable of emulating the world cup-qualifying feat of Canada’s 1986 men’s senior national team and the successes of the 1985, 2000 and 2002 squads at the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

“It is a great club, ever since I joined, I have enjoyed it here. They have trained me to become better and the coaching staff here are excellent. The coaches have made me a better defender and they are all amazing,” 14-year-old Serrao said.

“I have had a very good experience at the club, the coaches are always helpful. I felt like they understand me, they did not have too much critical feedback but they give me a lot of feedback that I needed without being rude. They have encouraged me to communicate more on the field, being louder and they have worked on the mental and physical aspects of my game,” Rodriguez stated. 

The youngsters, Serrao and 13-year-old Rodriguez who is a whiz kid already representing BVB IA Waterloo at international events with the latest in Dallas in the United States further talked about their future aspirations as they expressed their desire to play for top European clubs and don the colours of Canada’s senior men’s national team. 

“It is always better to go for higher goals and all that, try to go to Europe maybe in the future and BVB IA Waterloo is just the club to go with. Playing for the national team will be a massive dream and a big step up for the future but I want to channel my efforts right now to being a better player,” Serrao added. 

“I hope to become as strong and great as Real Madrid legend Sergio Ramos because I am a defender. I like to play for the University team in the future, I think that will be the goal but obviously I like to play for a big team in England, however, I like to go to the university,” Rodriguez stressed. 

The assistant coach of the U-14 team James Rodriguez at the event said assisting in nurturing the talent of the future stars has been wonderful. He laid emphasis on the efforts of the Club to ensure the future of Canadian soccer is guaranteed through its contribution to Ontario Player Development League (OPDL).

“It has been a great experience, this is my second year as assistant coach of U-14 boys and it’s fun to be part of a high-performance team playing at a very high level… some wonderful coaches I have learnt from and I am learning from, the other coaches as well from the other teams,” Rodriguez said. 

“Long Term Player Development came around 10 years ago, OPDL started around then and you will definitely see an improvement. More players want to play at this level and we have seen more players from Ontario joining the national team. And the Club is definitely having an impact on long-term player development,” he added. 

Also known as Waterloo United, Borussia Dortmund International Academy Waterloo is fast becoming the preferred destination of future stars in Ontario with its comprehensive soccer program convincing parents and observers in the region of Waterloo.