Dear BVBIA-Colorado Families,

As we wrap up an incredible year of soccer and growth, we wanted to take a moment to reach out and express our deepest gratitude to every member of our "Black and Yellow" family. It has been a year of remarkable achievements, and we are so proud of everything we have accomplished together.

Celebrating Our Successes

As a small club, the results we’ve seen this year are nothing short of extraordinary. On the pitch, we’ve witnessed incredible wins, and individual accomplishments:

• Affiliate Opportunities: Many of our players received the opportunity to guest play with other affiliates in multiple states.

• National Recognition: Five of our players qualified to compete at the National School of Excellence (SOE) event, with two exceptionally talented individuals making their respective age group National teams.

• International Experience: We were thrilled to send two of our players to Germany to compete directly with and against top-tier European talent.

• Coaching Excellence: Our commitment to world-class coaching took our staff across the globe. Our coaches attended the USC Convention in Philadelphia and the BVB National Training Event in North Carolina. Most notably, one of our coaches spent a full week in Dortmund, Germany, immersing themselves in the "Dortmund Way", learning the philosophies and styles of play alongside affiliates from the UK, Poland, and across the US.

In addition, a huge congratulations to Coach Justin for earning his USSF C License! He couldn't have balanced this rigorous certification with coaching without the incredible partnership of Coach Mike Jenkins. We believe that to develop great players, we must never stop developing as coaches, and we are committed to bringing that high level of expertise to our local community.

• New Team: Watching the development of our new U13 team this year has been incredibly rewarding for both Justin and me. Coach Chris and these families have brought an enthusiasm for the game that has truly elevated our entire club culture! Oh, did we mention they just won their league championship this Spring finishing with an impressive 6-0-1 record. Coach Chris has created a competitive and challenging environment and we’re looking forward to watching them compete again in the fall (maybe at an even higher level???)

• Two League Champions! (What???): In addition to our U13 Boys, our U12 boys also went undefeated in their league to win their league this season!

• Off to High School: While our U15 boys didn’t win their league, they finished with a respectable 3-2-3 record this spring. In addition, many used their acquired leadership skills to volunteer with our Mini Bees and demonstrated unbelievable growth on and off the pitch! We are so proud to share that we are excited to see all of them representing over 8 local high schools this fall before we see them back for the spring season.

• Mini Bees: We believe a club only thrives when we emphasize early development and a lifelong passion for soccer. Coach Jacob took on the challenge of relaunching our Mini Bees program with fantastic results, made even more special by our older players volunteering their time each week to help teach the next generation of BVBIA talent.

The Heart of Our Club

While we are proudly attached to the global powerhouse of Borussia Dortmund, at our core, we remain a local, community-driven non-profit. Our success is only possible because of the people who dedicate their time to our mission.

We want to extend a special "thank you" to our incredible Parent Advisory Committee (PAC): Chiung-Huei Vass, Emily Odman, Adrian Nolasco, and Jenny Williams. Your tireless volunteer work keeps this club running. We also want to recognize our Super Admin Coordinator, Madee Case, for her organization and dedication, and our Board President and "do-everything guy," Jared Harley, for his leadership and immense contributions.

To Our Families and Coaches

To the parents: thank you. We know the dedication it takes to get to every practice and game. You are the backbone of this club, and we truly cannot do this without you.

Our philosophy remains clear: you are not a number here. We hope you have felt the genuine camaraderie between our teams and coaches. Our focus is on creating a positive, constructive, and holistic development environment where we meet every player exactly where they are, both on and off the pitch. A huge thank you to our dedicated coaching staff for living this mission every single day.

A Busy Summer Ahead

The soccer doesn't stop when the league year ends! We have a very active summer planned to keep our community connected and our players' skills sharp. Be on the lookout for:

• Free Kick-arounds: Continuing the fun and development in a relaxed environment. These will continue after tryouts on Tuesdays starting June 2nd through July 14th. These will be a great opportunity to just play soccer and to bring a friend!

• Soccer Tennis: A club favorite! We will be organizing group soccer tennis sessions to work on touch and technical skill.

• Fundraising & Club Activities: We have several upcoming opportunities to support the club and bond as a group.

Looking Ahead: 2026/27 Season & Tryouts

We are excited to carry this momentum into the new league year! We invite all returning and prospective players to visit our website to sign up for upcoming tryouts:

👉 [Register for 2025/26 Tryouts Here]

Navigating the "Signing Season"

As we approach tryouts, we want to ensure our families are protected and informed. Some clubs use high-pressure tactics or unrealistic deadlines to "trap" families into contracts earlier than necessary. In alignment with our values of Character and Humility, we want you to know the Colorado Soccer Association (CSA) facts:

• The Seasonal Year: Per CSA Rule 1.7, once you sign a registration form, you are committed to that club for the entire seasonal year (Aug 1 – July 31).

• The Commitment: Under Rule 3.7, clubs have "sole discretion" over player releases. Leaving a club mid-season can be difficult and often requires fulfilling your full annual financial obligation.

• Our Philosophy: We believe a club should earn your commitment through quality coaching and the "Dortmund Way," not through fear-based deadlines. Don't feel pressured to sign until you are certain the environment is the right fit for your child's growth.

Upcoming Events and Opportunities:

• Kickarounds (Starting May 8th and 15th at Legacy Peak Elementary): These are a fantastic way for players to get extra touches and for potential new families to see what our culture is all about.

• Referral Discount: We are happy to offer a discount on player fees for the upcoming year for any family that refers a new player to the club! We will continue passing out referral cards and tryout flyers at training and games – please help us grow our BVBIA-Colorado community!

• SOE Local Tryouts in June: Please visit our website to learn more about this challenging opportunity through BVBIA and with our partners in Dortmund. You can also reach out to Coach Justin or Coach Mike with any questions about your son or daughter. Registrations will come out shortly after tryouts

• …and a teaser: Hopefully all of our families are aware of our commitment to the overall health and wellness of all of our athletes, especially beyond the pitch. We are working very hard to solidify a partnership with Pikes Peak YMCA to employ a full fitness testing and plan for our athletes this fall. Here is just a quick summary of what we’re hoping to include with our normal season fees:

• Comprehensive Performance Tracking: Every athlete receives a personalized "before and after" blueprint, including video movement analysis and detailed assessments of mobility, strength, and stability to track real-world growth.

• Injury Prevention & Longevity: We prioritize long-term health by identifying injury risks early and implementing customized, age-specific warm-up systems designed to keep players on the pitch and performing at their best.

• Elite Athlete Education: Beyond physical training, athletes will attend specialized seminars focusing on the "invisible" side of the game: recovery strategies, balance, and vision/reaction training.

• A Holistic Support System: This partnership bridges the gap between the field and home, providing dedicated education sessions for parents and coaches to ensure everyone is aligned in supporting the athlete’s development.

• The Competitive Edge: By combining data-driven training with a clear development pathway, we are building more confident, resilient, and high-performing players for the BVB International Academy in Colorado.

If you have any questions about the upcoming season, CSA regulations, or summer activities, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your team coach or contact us directly.

Thank you for being part of this journey. We can't wait to see you back on the pitch!

Echte Liebe (True Love),

Justin, Mike, and the BVBIA-Colorado Leadership Team