BVB International Partner Workshop | Poland | March 2025
From the moment our delegation of global partners landed in Poland, there was a shared excitement: we were about to step into something truly special.
Besides the BVBIA North America leadership, other participants included leaders from International Academies and German Academies across Asia, Latin America, and Europe. Together, we traveled to Goczałkowice‑Zdrój to tour a facility that speaks directly to Borussia Dortmund’s global ambition and legacy.
Meeting Łukasz Piszczek in his hometown
At the academy’s entrance, Łukasz Piszczek welcomed us not with fanfare, but with grounded humility. He introduced himself as a local son first — a player second.
He shared how he first conceived the idea in 2017, launched it with Dortmund’s backing in 2019, and poured passion into building a football home in his hometown, a place where kids from 4 to 19 could develop in sport and character. Hearing him speak of his roots, and seeing the community that shaped him, brought his story full circle.
Touring with Purpose
The academy isn’t just fields, jerseys, and drills. It’s an integrated development ecosystem. With training facilities outfitted by the partnership between Piszczek’s Foundation and Borussia Dortmund, it offers technical coaching alongside educational workshops, language classes, nutritional courses—all purpose-built to develop well‑rounded individuals evonik.pl.
What stood out was how every detail echoed BVB’s philosophy: growth rooted in local identity, excellence grounded in community, and a commitment to holistic development.
Global Partnership in Action
Standing there, watching young players in Black and Yellow kits train on manicured turf, I felt the power of our global network. Coaches and leaders from academies in Japan, Brazil, South Africa, Canada, and beyond gathered beneath the same roof. We exchanged questions, coaching philosophies, and stories of local impact.
Together, we saw firsthand how the Piszczek Academy is more than a facility—it’s a symbol of how BVB’s global philosophy can manifest locally, sustainably, and authentically.
