This is the third episode of the second season of the series “Who We Are”, produced by Borussia Dortmund. In partnership with the OneFootball, a Sports Gazette you will have access to all episodes, which will show the daily life of one of the biggest clubs in German football.
The third episode addresses the creation of Borussia’s women’s football team amid the pandemic. The club could buy another team’s license to reach the national elite faster. However, supported by the fans, he chose to start in the seventh division and reach the top in up to ten years.
President Reinhard Rauball spoke about the founding of the category: “It happened about two years ago at the Association’s general meeting. The members unanimously voted that Borussia Dortmund should not only offer football for men and boys, but for women and girls. The committees made the preparations, the foundations were laid.”
The head of the women’s football department, Svenja Schlenker, explained the formation of the team: “We analyzed the ages and, of course, we wanted to have some more experienced athletes, because they are able to lead, carry and support the team. But we also wanted to have young, talented players that we can follow in a long way. We said we would be happy to include starters as well.”
“Many have not played football for years, some came from higher divisions, but they should have been from the Dortmund region. No more than two girls from the same club. It was very important to guarantee the role of these factors”, he added.
After around 200 tests, the Dortmund women’s team, coached by Thomas Sulewski, was formed and won their first match on 8 August 2021: 3-1 over 1860 Munich, with over 1,300 people in the stands. Author of the first goal in the club’s history, Ann-Katrin Lau, a Borussia fan since she was a child, speaks fondly of this moment.
“When I look at the photos and videos, I think to myself, ‘Is this really me? What madness. It will be?’. At that moment I didn’t expect the ball to go in. When it went to the net, there was obviously great joy, but I can’t even describe everything that happened afterwards. I think it will take time to really appreciate the meaning of this goal.”
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