BORUSSIA Dortmund, one of Germany’s most successful football clubs, has announced a five-year partnership with Wynnum Wolves FC to open its first football academy in Australia.
This move signals a major expansion of the club’s renowned youth development model into the Asia Pacific region, with the aim of fostering local talent and growing the sport across Australia.
The club has been a launching pad for world-class talents like Jude Bellingham, Erling Haaland and Jadon Sancho.
Borussia Dortmund Asia Pacific Managing Director Suresh Letchmanan said the collaboration with Wynnum Wolves was a significant milestone in the club’s global expansion plans, which focus on creating long-term, sustainable development programs for young footballers.
“We believe in developing superstars, not buying them,” Dr Letchmanan said.
“Our philosophy has always been about building players from within our academy.
“We’ve had success stories like Marco Reus, Mario Götze, and Erling Haaland, all of whom started their careers in Dortmund’s youth system.
“Our aim in Australia is to replicate this success.”
The new academy will operate under Dortmund’s established methodologies, which focus on technical skill development, tactical awareness, and mental fortitude.
The program will not be limited to boys, but will also include opportunities for girls to participate, reflecting Dortmund’s commitment to fostering gender equality.
Dr Letchmanan emphasised that this partnership is about more than just football – it is an opportunity to connect culturally, build relationships, and create infrastructure for the future of the sport.
“This is a platform for us to be seen, heard, and loved in Australia,” he said.
“We want to contribute to the growth of the game, not just on the pitch, but in terms of community development, culture, and relationships with local government.”
Wynnum Wolves, a key club in Brisbane’s football community, was chosen for this partnership due to its strong youth development program and its commitment to growing the game in the region.
Dr Letchmanan expressed confidence in the potential of the Australian football market.
“Australia has a huge appetite for football, and we’re excited to be a part of that growth,” he said.
“There’s a wealth of untapped talent here, and our aim is to identify the next generation of football stars.”
As part of the partnership, coaches from both Dortmund and Wynnum Wolves will engage in a coach exchange program, with Australian coaches visiting Germany to learn firsthand from Dortmund’s top-tier academy staff.
This collaboration will ensure that the coaching methodologies adopted in the new academy align with Dortmund’s world-class standards.
The investment is expected to have a transformative impact on Australian football, both in terms of player development and coaching education.
While the financial specifics of the deal were not disclosed, Dr Letchmanan confirmed that it is a substantial investment in the future of Australian football.
“The key here is sustainability,” he said.
“This partnership is not just about sending coaches or players abroad, but about building a lasting football culture in Australia. We’re excited to see what the next generation of Australian football talent will achieve with our guidance.”
