Following a two-year trial phase, FC Winterthur has received the official SFV certificate for its youth work. This is a milestone for the region, as it recognizes the club's outstanding and sustainable training work. Marc Hottiger, former professional and national player, praised the training work of the Winterthurer talent factory.
Long-standing Success in Youth Work
FC Winterthur is not only the leading football club in the region, but it has been part of the top training clubs in Switzerland for decades. Hottiger reminded of the history of junior top football in the SFV and emphasized that the FCW was already seeking the quality award in 1999 and was for a long time the only Challenge-League club with the highest label of the association.
SFV Certificate and Requirements
Since 2017, there are eight locations for performance centers, including the FCW. The requirements for an SFV performance center are demanding and aim to guarantee a high level and sustainable development for the Swiss top football. It requires professional and extensive work in the areas of football, supervision, career planning in sports, in school, and in training, as well as talent selection. Eight 100%-positions are stipulated.
Cooperation and Success
FCW has applied for 2024 and received a provisional approval from the SFV for two years. Sven Christ, head of performance centers at the SFV, praised the good cooperation and the fulfillment of the requirements. Roger Etter, training chief of FCW, thanked for the always constructive support and thanked the team. The list of Swiss A-players with Winterthurer background underlines the quality of the youth work: Manuel Akanji, Fabian Frei, Luca Zuffi, Amir Abrashi, Moritz Bauer, and Ermir Lenjani.
With this important certificate for its youth work, FC Winterthur will now continue to invest intensively in the youth work to carry on the tradition.
