Kuba Elite Soccer Academy is NOW BVB International Academy America - Chicago North.  

After nine years of being an independent youth soccer academy and a few years of building a great relationship with Borussia Dortmund we are proud and extremely excited to announce we are now an official United States partner of Borussia Dortmund’s Academy starting NOW the season of 2020/2021.  Bringing Borussia Dortmund to Chicago and being the one of the only two locations in Illinois along with BVB International Academy Illinois - Naperville makes our club definitely stand out and unique.

As part of the BVB International Academy America, we represent one of the greatest systems of player development and player pathways in the world.  We are deeply honored and carry tremendous responsibility to train, communicate and educate our players and families in the Dortmund Way.  Through parallel training strategies, the full integration of the Borussia Dortmund methodology and a close working relationship with the coaches at the BVB Academy our players will learn, grow and develop on and off the field with character, quality and the determination to be all that they can be. 

The BVB International Academy America is comprised of several strong yet unique clubs across the United States.  We have multiple clubs in Texas including locations in Dallas, Houston, Austin and San Antonio.  Our Kansas location is just outside of Kansas City in Lawrence, Kansas and is known as Great Plains.  We have two clubs in Illinois just outside of Chicago in Naperville which is the oldest club in Illinois and just North of Chicago proper called Chicago North.  Middle Tennessee located just outside of Nashville.  The great state of New Jersey has joined us this year and two clubs in the state of Washington representing Seattle and Renton. We are proud to announce our national footprint in North America will continue to grow in 2021 with 4-6 more clubs.  Growing with the right people, at the right time and with the right clubs creates a strong network of support for all our players and coaches.

Our goals are to:

1. Touch the lives of our players through inspiration on and off the field.
2. Develop outstanding technical players with great awareness of the field, understanding of the game and the ability to impact any team, any game and their own future with the very best player development and player pathway opportunities.
3. Challenge players with the qualities of leadership, honor, tenacity, respect and love of the game itself.  
4. Strive through strength of character, heart, words and actions to help young players rise to their true potential and exceed their own expectations, thereby paving their ability to succeed for whatever challenges and opportunities lie ahead.
5. To change our communities and the live we touch for the better. 
6. We focus on bringing the Borussia Dortmund way of training to life through:

• Intensity
• Real and Authentic program based on the BVB Way of training
• Inspired Coaching that values hard work, dedication, ambition and the bonding force of teamwork
• Winning Attitude- Understanding that winning is a learned behavior and a mindset
• And a real love of the game, the team, our family and the club.  The true understanding of Echte Liebe (REAL LOVE)

We ask one thing from our players- their very best effort at all times.  And in return, they can expect the best from their club.  We pledge to create the very best training environment, system and player pathway for every player.  

The Borussia Dortmund Relationship- Real and Authentic

BVB International Academy America is the official United States Partner of Borussia Dortmund.  Borussia Dortmund is recognized as one of the very finest professional player development systems in the world.  We fully embrace the holistic player development, philosophy of Borussia Dortmund and implement the training methodology and philosophy here in North America.  

The Honor of Representing the Brand

While it is an honor to represent Borussia Dortmund here in America, it is also a responsibility.  We consider it our mission to: 

-Instill confidence and respect within every player; and be unafraid to ask for it. 

-Build the next great generation of young men and women on and off the field through inspiration, grit and determination; and be unafraid to demand it.

We consider it essential that: 

-Every player understands what it is to be a person of character; and be unafraid to show it.  

-Every player recognizes the importance of intensity in all that we do; and be unafraid to live it.

Our traditions that set the stage for the culture within our club are centered around respect.

• The “Last hand off the field,” – The applause to the parents at the end of every game
• Respect of the referees - After every game, a sign of respect for the referee is required
• Handshake- Before and after every practice, scrimmage or game- Shake the coach’s hand 
• Team Unity - The cheer or chant before the game- Uniting the players in heart and vision before every game

On the Field Support/ Coaching Education

Borussia Dortmund considers BVB International Academy a true part of their academy system.  Our coaches must evolve and learn the Borussia Dortmund way of training and coaching.  Coaches are invited to train at the academy during specific exchange trips throughout the year.  Likewise, coaches from the BVB Academy deliver training here in the United States for Coaching Education twice per year during the technical visits.  Frequent visits by Borussia Dortmund staff, former players such as Roman Weidenfeller and Patrick Owomoyela, provide year-round touch points to coaches and players.   The support and connectivity are real and we build excellence from their input and guidance.  Borussia Dortmund’s coaching support also includes: 

• Real and Authentic; ‘The Dortmund Way’
• Coaches Gear- One club – same look
• Official Borussia Dortmund Youth Academy Guidelines
• Monthly Development Calls with Affiliates
• Annual Technical Visits
• In country player camps 
• Coaching Education
• At BVB Academy
• In country
• Coaching Accreditation Program
• School of Excellence - Player exposure
• Coaching License Standards / Support 
• Player/ Coach Evaluations
• Sports Session Planner
• School of Excellence - Identification program
• Elite School of Excellence - Player Exposure

Off the Field Support/ Commercial Support

Our commercial/ Off the field team of support works tirelessly to provide support and resources for the “back of the house” excellence.  These support areas include but are not limited to:

• College Athlete Placement (CAP) Program
• Player Experience- Understanding of the Brand, Brand engagement opportunities
• Club Camp, Summer BVB Camp, Graduation Camp- for U-11 players (Camp Echte Liebe)
• Camp Echte Liebe II- For High School players- Decision making and planning for their future 
• Commercial Conference
• Website and Social Media Standards and Support
• Sports Engine Partnership- Reporting and Analysis
• Resource Image Library
• Standards and Guidelines
• 1,3,5year Vision for National Growth
• Elite League Partnerships- NPL, ECNL, Development Academy
• Brand Standards / National Resource Site
• PUMA Marketing and Advertising Access and Grassroots events
• PUMA Gift of Kit Support for Coaches
• National Footprint for Social Media
• Annual Business Review in Germany
• Annual Market Review in Market/ Growth Goals/ Challenges and Opportunities
• USC Convention- National Affiliate Meeting
• Uniform- Soccer.com- Direct to the Parents

Programs, Events, Touchpoints and Traditions

BVB International Academy America understands that to be successful as a youth soccer, we must “Bring the Brand to Life” here in America.  Within the overall program we engage with more than 35 touchpoints (strong connectivity opportunities) between BVB, affiliates, BVB IA America, coaches, teams, players, our sponsors and our communities to create these important connections.  Our programs and events immerse our players in the pride and honor we feel to represent Borussia Dortmund. 

When embraced and implemented, these touchpoints allow encourage connectivity between smart, innovative clubs who are eager to grow and succeed. Networking within the College Athlete Placement (CAP) college program, sharing commercial and social media resources, developing and nurturing connectivity amongst the coaches at the affiliates creates a strong foundation for our national platform and for our players.  Growth and success therefore become the product of all of us working together for the good of the players, teams, coaches, clubs and the Borussia Dortmund family.