Imagine this: Switzerland, a nation synonymous with precision, neutrality, and, well, ice hockey, is making waves in a sport where they're not exactly known: field hockey. This is the story of how a team, fueled by passion and crowdfunding, is rewriting the narrative at the Junior Men’s World Cup 2025.
Published on November 30, 2025, this article dives into the surprising success of the Swiss field hockey team, a squad that has captured the hearts of fans and the attention of the hockey world. The team's journey is a testament to the power of dedication and the underdog spirit.
Switzerland, despite being home to the International Hockey Federation (FIH) headquarters, hasn't historically been a major player in international field hockey. But at the FIH Men’s Junior World Cup 2025, they're turning heads.
In their debut international tournament, Switzerland won both of their initial matches. This impressive start has positioned them for a potential quarterfinal berth, with a crucial match against host nation India in Madurai on December 2nd.
From Niche to Global Stage:
Before Switzerland's thrilling 3-2 victory over Chile, Punleuk Kam, Managing Director of Swiss Hockey, was seen energizing the crowd, distributing miniature Swiss flags and encouraging the fans to cheer loudly. With a smile, he quipped to the press, “Switzerland is a neutral country. So, if you wave the flag and cheer for us, you are still supporting both teams!”
By the final whistle, the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium was filled with fans embracing the Swiss underdogs, celebrating their second consecutive win following a 4-0 victory against Oman.
“Can’t be better, right? It can’t. We showed a lot of ambition and so much fire. It felt like a home game,” said Switzerland’s head coach Jair Levie after the match.
But here's where it gets controversial... Field hockey remains a niche sport in Switzerland, overshadowed by the popularity of ice hockey, where the men's team ranks 3rd and the women's team 5th globally.
Kam revealed that field hockey is an amateur sport in Switzerland, with only around 2,000 licensed players and about 25 clubs. He also highlighted the challenges of limited infrastructure, such as the fact that outdoor hockey can only be played from April to the end of October, with the rest of the year spent playing indoors. Major cities like Zurich, Basel, and Geneva have astroturf pitches, but there are only five or six of them.
Crowdfunding Fuels the Dream:
Switzerland qualified for the World Cup by winning the Men’s 2024 Euro Hockey U21 Championship II-B. However, to fund their participation, the federation turned to crowdfunding. A project on the ibelieveinyou website aimed to raise CHF 30,000 and ultimately collected CHF 30,259.
Kam explained that the team's journey to the tournament was a collaborative effort. “One hand is obviously crowdfunding. We get some help from the Swiss Olympic Association, but mostly from private resources of the friends and the parents and families that chip in so that we can come here,” he said. The team comprises students on leave from universities and jobs, covering their expenses for the love of the sport.
Paving the Way for Change:
The team's early success is igniting hopes within the Swiss hockey community for a shift in perception back home.
“We have tried to do everything we can to put field hockey into the picture. It’s all about ice hockey in Switzerland, and now with all that we have done here, hopefully, we’ll get this to work,” said coach Levie.
For Swiss Hockey, the Junior World Cup’s success is just the beginning — a platform to emulate the success stories of hockey nations like the Netherlands.
“We are currently establishing partnerships with schools to integrate hockey as an official discipline within their Physical Education (PE) curriculum. The aim is to introduce the sport to students at an early age. Our strategy involves studying successful models from other countries, such as the Netherlands, and adapting their methods for popularising hockey,” Kam concluded.
And this is the part most people miss... The Swiss team's story isn't just about winning; it's about passion, community, and the power of believing in something different.
What do you think? Can Switzerland's field hockey success change the sporting landscape? Do you think crowdfunding is a sustainable model for smaller sports? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
