Skip to main content
BVB International Academy - North America
School of Excellence
An identification and development program for youth players in the BVB International Academy North America network. Players train, compete, and are evaluated in progressively broader environments (local, regional, and national) using Borussia Dortmund's football methodology. The aim is continued development of the person and the player, not a promised outcome. International experiences vary by year and are not automatic.
What is the School of Excellence?
The BVBIA School of Excellence is a year-long identification and development program across our network.
Every season, BVBIA technical staff and local coaches identify players across our network and invite them to regional Player ID events. Those events bring players together to train and compete with peers from other affiliates. Players may then be invited to the National Player ID Event. Dortmund colleagues are involved when scheduled.

The Process

The School of Excellence is built on four stages. Local identification happens in your own market (see How It Works below). The next stages are:


1. Regional Player ID Events
Regional events bring players from several affiliates together for a weekend of training and games. Events are led by BVBIA coaching staff, with Dortmund colleagues involved when scheduled. Taking part does not promise a later stage.

2. National Player ID Event
Players invited from the regional events come together in one environment so staff can evaluate across the network. The 2026 national event is in Dublin, Georgia, December 9-13. Taking part does not promise a later roster, pool place, or trip.

3. Later opportunities, when offered
After national and regional events, staff may consider players for national player pools, BVBIA representative-team events, or guest playing with other affiliates. A pool place, when offered, is eligibility only; each event roster is decided separately.
        • National player pools, when offered
        • BVBIA representative-team events, when offered
        • Guest playing with other affiliates, when offered

The School of Excellence connects players and coaches across North America with the BVB football philosophy.

MORE INFO


+ PLAYER DEVELOPMENT

+ COLLEGE ATHLETE PLACEMENT PROGRAM


+ PLAY FOR BVBIA

HOW THE SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE WORKS

Development starts in your own community.

1. LOCAL IDENTIFICATION

2. REGIONAL PLAYER ID

3. NATIONAL PLAYER ID

4. LATER OPPORTUNITIES, WHEN OFFERED

DEVELOPMENT CONTINUES

HOW IT WORKS

LOCAL PLAYER ID EVENTS

Local affiliates host player identification activity in their own markets. Home coaches know the player, and the affiliate remains central.



REGIONAL PLAYER ID EVENTS

East and West regional events bring players from several affiliates together for a weekend of training and games. Events are led by BVBIA coaching staff, with Dortmund colleagues involved when scheduled.


NATIONAL PLAYER ID EVENT

Players invited from the regional events come together in one environment so staff can evaluate across the network. Taking part does not promise a later roster, pool place, or trip.

LATER OPPORTUNITIES

After national and regional events, staff may consider players for national player pools, BVBIA representative-team events, or guest playing with other affiliates. A pool place, when offered, is eligibility only.

DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES?

Learn more about the School of Excellence process.

LEARN MORE