Pacific FC of the Canadian Premier League and VfL Bochum of Germany today announced a groundbreaking interclub partnership that promises to accelerate the growth of PFC’s best players, and for the clubs to share expertise, goodwill and resources for activities both on and off the pitch. 

Bochum, who play in the Bundesliga, the top flight of German club football, was established in 1848 and is among one of the oldest sporting clubs in the world and includes multiple sports beyond football. This pioneering partnership will span all aspects of the two clubs’ operations including potential for player transfers, player and coach development, and business and youth programming. 

“This partnership breaks new ground and will further close the gap from Canada to the one of the best footballing nations in the world.  We are proud to build this bridge to VfL Bochum for our players as well as our operating staff to learn and further their sporting careers,”  said Josh Simpson, President, Pacific FC. “The Bundesliga is without question one of the best leagues in the world and we are excited for this step.”

On the football side, the clubs will meet regularly to collaborate on player development, scouting and recruitment. The partnership enables each club with the potential of using player loans to enrich player experience, both culturally and on the pitch. The knowledge and experience sharing includes coaching staff as well as innovation and technology that lead to enhanced player performance. 

“We are delighted to enter into this comprehensive club partnership with Pacific FC in both the sporting, men’s and women’s, and commercial areas,” said Ilja Kaenzig, CEO of VfL Bochum. “Pacific FC will play an important role in our internationalization strategy in the coming years. We see great potential in this joint approach, from which the entire Bundesliga can benefit.”

Front office staff from both clubs will participate in shared industry knowledge across several areas including fan culture, matchday experience and marketing and public relations strategies.  

Like Pacific FC, Bochum has robust female and male youth programs. The partnership between the clubs represents an international opportunity for VI Wave players to go abroad, or players from Bochum, located in Western Germany, to come to Vancouver Island and attend Pacific FC’s The Football Academy at Shawnigan Lake. 

Both clubs will seek to create joint football events, such as football academies or school camps in support of players from both countries. The clubs will transfer their know-how in talent development to optimize the development processes in the youth sector.