Last week, staff from BVBIA El Paso Borderland attended the BVBIA Annual Meeting in Philadelphia, PA. The meetings were held in conjunction with the United Soccer Coaches Convention, the world's largest soccer conference. The event brought together directors and coaches from all over the United States and Canada to share best practices and how to work together and learn from each other.
The first day was dedicated to the Director's Meeting, where attendees had the opportunity get to know each other a create a shared network.
Florian Ingversen, Head of BVB e-Academy, and Markus Pasdzior, Team Lead International Football Activities from Borussia Dortmund in Germany, shared their insights and experiences about building and managing a successful youth soccer program as well as some new and exciting things that are about to roll out across the BVBIA network of Affiliates.
One of the highlights of the day was a presentation by Peter Brody, the CEO of Borussia Dortmund International Academy as he discussed the importance of building public-private partnerships for facilities development and shared some valuable tips on how to do it effectively.
Nancy Lane, Director of Communication and Administration for BVBIA, also presented on Borussia Unites, an anti-bullying campaign, and highlighted the importance of creating a culture of respect and inclusion within youth soccer programs. Colorado Director, Nancy Sibley, shared her thoughts on the need for Women in Coaching and how the numbers have been declining over the years, and how to tackle this issue.
The remainder of the trip centered around the 2023 United Soccer Coaches Convention, a 3-day conference focused on the business of soccer, coaching, and all things soccer. The conference provided a platform for coaches, administrators, and other soccer professionals to come together and share their knowledge and experience. The attendees had the opportunity to learn from some of the most respected and experienced coaches and administrators in the soccer industry through a variety of sessions and workshops.
The conference covered a wide range of topics related to coaching, such as player development, team management, and game strategy. Additionally, there were sessions on the business side of soccer, including marketing, sponsorship, and facilities development. The conference also featured networking opportunities and an exhibit hall, which provided attendees with the chance to connect with vendors and suppliers of soccer-related products and services.
Overall, the BVBIA Director's Meeting and Coaches' meetings, followed by the 2023 United Soccer Coaches Convention, was an incredibly valuable experience for all of our coaches. They came back excited and energized, ready to deliver high-end youth soccer in El Paso and the borderland. We are confident that our coaches will bring back a deeper connection and will be able to deliver that authentic relationship with BVB, a new level of excellence to the youth soccer in El Paso.
We're excited to see the positive impact that these experiences will have on our players on and off the pitch.
Jason Brewer
Executive Director
BVBIA - El Paso Borderland