Borussia Dortmund are, without doubt, one of the most respected clubs in the world when it comes to their fanbase. Known for being committed and loyal to the team, BVB fans around the world also stand for internationalism, solidarity with the oppressed, and togetherness among all. It has always struck as odd, then, that BVB were one of the few major powers in German football not to have their own women’s team. This is set to change next year, though, with BVB announcing in September the arrival of a BVB ladies team in the eight-division of the German football pyramid.

However, more news has now arrived in the form of some details about how the club will work and grow. The club will ‘grow organically’, it is stated, meaning that external funding will not arrive to help promote the club quicker to a higher level. However, the club has announced the ambitious arrival of Thomas Sulewski, who will be the Head Coach of the BVB ladies department. The 30-year-old is a local from the Dortmund area and led SV Berghofen to the 2. Bundesliga. This, then, is clearly a major coup for the club – a coach with immense pedigree at this level making a move down to the eighth tier of the game.

He will be joined by Dustin Wurst and Tim Trude, who will arrive as his coaching assistants.

Who else will join the Borussia Dortmund women’s team?

Another interesting signing was made in the form of Annike Krahn. Grahn is a former World Cup winner and also a gold medal winner at the Olympics. She will join as part of the sporting advisory department and will be joined by ex-BVB player Christian Timm. They will work alongside the rest of the management team, helping to further bring the ladies department of BVB in-line with the rest of the club.

They aim to build a squad of around 20 players for the first season, with trials taking place at this moment in time to see what can be put together in time for the new season. The plan is to begin building a squad and training ahead of the new season. So far, there has been discussion that the club will aim for promotion to the top flight, the Bundesliga, within a decade.

BVB’s ladies team will also play out of the Stadion Rote Erde, which is where BVB II, the lower league department of the men’s side, plays at the moment. This will see the BVB ladies team given access to high-quality facilities, and will be wearing one of the most famous shirts in European football.

As one of the most beloved clubs in the world, it was always odd to see that BVB had not joined fully in with the movement for more female involvement in the sport. Now, the development of a new lady’s team and the investment being made shows that, for Dortmund, this is more than just a PR move. This is a genuine opening of their sporting department to an exciting new opportunity.