AboutSYP

It isn’t just about business… Learn about our story and the impact we have made over time. 

About us

StrideYourPassion was founded in 2016 by Christophe Varidel, a former NCAA and professional basketball player from Switzerland, with the aim to offer the next generation of basketball players the structure he wished he had growing up.

Trough StrideYourPassion, he has set on a mission to help players reach their fullest potential and devellop through basketball. Watch the presentation video to learn more about the program. 

NON-PROFIT ASSOCIATION (2018-2024)

It is after SYP Founder Christophe Varidel took a trip to Guinea-Bissau in 2017 that the idea of funding a non-profit association was born. Why couldn’t SYP make a difference beyond the frontiers of Switzerland?

In 2018, the SYP Basketball Academy was born, and the preparation for our first project in Bissora, Guinea-Bissau started.

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Basketball Academy

We are very fortunate to live in a place where infrastructures are adequate for the practice of sport. Unfortunately, this is not the case for everyone around the world. We can not fix the world, but we can help some people…. Read our report to learn about our work from 2018 to 2022.

GUINEA-BISSAU

The town of Bissorã, Guinea-Bissau holds a special place in our heart.

After conducting the renovations of the public playground at distance, we flew on spot in December 2018 to conduct coaching workshops and a 5-day basketball camp for the youth of the town.

The time we spent in Bissora was easily one of the most meaningful experience of our lives.

Cherry on the cake, the Academy perdured and basketball is now one of the main sports in Bissora. Today, the Academy holds 4 teams and about 40 boys and girls, and regularly competes in tournamants around the country.

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TANZANIA

It is in 2019 that we have started to plan an ambitious project in Ukonga, Tanzania. 

The plan was to build from scratch a basketball court for the community of Ukonga, a known basketball program struggling to gain court access. 

After securing the necessary amount of over $15’000, we worked through a local construction partner to build a count for the Juhudi Secondary School. 

The construction was halted multiple time due to different on spot problems, but it was finally completed during the summer of 2022. 

Read more about the process of building this basketball count on the report. 

ALUMNI

Since 2016, we have worked with over 30 players who have gone on to represent the youth national teams, with several also earning full scholarships to play for universities in the USA (NCAA), and some who are now part of the Senior National team. We feel grateful to have been part of their basketball journeys <3.

STill ballin

Toni Rocak

Pro in Croatia, Swiss National Team

Laurent Zoccoletti

Pro in CH & Iceland, Swiss National Team

Achile Spadone

Bucknell University (NCAA I), Swiss National Team

Matteo Piccarelli

Temple University (NCAA I), Italian Youth National Teams

Niko Rocak

Youth National Teams, UC Davis (NCAA I)

Jacques Safra

Youth National Teams, Mayville Uni. (NAIA), LNB Switzerland

Nilan Rungasami

Youth National teams, CNBS, Pro LNA

Yafet Haile

Uni of Central Missouri (NCAA II)

Moritz Schneider

Pro A, Germany

Nicolo Isotta

U20 National Teams, Pro in Italy

Alessio Solazzi

Blu Basket Academy, Italy

Will Higgs

Northfield Mount Hermon (Prep), NCAA DI offers

Kelechi Obim

Youth National Teams, LNA, LNB

Oliver Sassella

Youth National teams, CNBS

Andre Donnelly

Lugano Tigers, LNA

Noah Tolu Frueh

Youth National Team, LNA

Vera Teising

Italian Youth NT, LNA

Fleury Ayubu

Youth National team, Formation center, France

Training & Camps

The StrideYourPassion training camps are designed to fit the physical and psychological development of young basketball players and offer a well adapted basketball curriculum aimed at athletic improvement, skills development and understanding of basketball and team concepts. 

The level of players who attend the SYP training camps ranges from beginners to the very elites of basketball in Switzerland. Over the last 8 years, we have been trusted by over 30 current and former Switzerland Youth National Team members. 

SYP training

The SYP training camps are designed to fit the physical & psychological development of young basketball players.

All camps offer:

- Discounts for siblings
- Discounts for members/partners
- Optional lunch included

Programm presentation

Get to know more about our program for young basketball players, designed to help them create and stabilize their basketball journey, and learn about the three stages of player development.

Testimonials

what they say...

Some more feedback...

We have served a lot of players since 2016… Find out what they have to say about our different products & services…

The Book

“It’s extremely important to have a deep love for the game to take on every obstacles that will come your way. This book will keep you on the path, strengthen your love, and heighten your focus on the the short term and long term.”

    Billy Baron
    Billy Baron

    Euroleague player

    “Win the Day is an inspiring read, filled with so much knowledge and guidance for aspiring basketball players.”

      Kristina Santiago
      Kristina Santiago

      NCAA Coach

      “Win the Day took me back to the times I was dreaming of a basketball future. The examples were on point and complemented any concepts nicely. I recommend this book to athletes of all ages and levels.”

        Jonathan Kazadi
        Jonathan Kazadi

        Professional Player

        To read all of these stories of players who made their dreams a reality despite many obstacles gave me an immense boost of motivation!"

          Paul
          Paul

          17 years old

          “If you are a parent, your kids will rebel against your advices. They will however follow the guidance of guys they can admire and relate to. Win the Day is THE book your basketball kid needs.”

            Mark Vine
            Mark Vine

            Parent

            “Christophe provides some great insights and strategies for players to maximize their potential. Any player looking to dedicate their lives to improving their basketball game can truly benefit from this book.”

              Eric Bovaird
              Eric Bovaird

              NCAA Coach

              "I never read... but I read Win the Day 2x in a row. It is such a complete ressource for someone like me pursuing basketball excellence."

                Diego Nash
                Diego Nash

                College Player, Canada

                "I read Win the Day twice, and I underlined the key parts. Before the games, I re-read the parts to prepare mentally."

                  Max
                  Max

                  15 years old

                  MyStride Mentorship

                  "A game Changer. Not only my playing time and my role in the team increased DURING the mentorship, but I have also implemented the teaching in other areas of my life: for example, my reading and stretching habits have gotten much more consistent."

                    Zaid
                    Zaid

                    LNA player

                    "Basketball means so much to me. Having someone knowledgable fully committed to guide me is immensely valuable"

                      Guillaume
                      Guillaume

                      16 years old

                      "I put so much energy into basketball. Working with MyStride helped me channel this energy and focus on the small details that made big differences overtime. I recommend this program to any player who is passionate about developing themselves."

                        Daniel
                        Daniel

                        16 years old

                        "Not only I was guided during the length of the program, but I also learned how to manage and structure my practices. Today, I still apply the principles I learned during the mentorships"

                          William
                          William

                          15 years old

                          "Before working with Chris, my trainings lacked structure and focus... Through the program, I was able to create specific routines that helped my game tremendously."

                            Aurélien
                            Aurélien

                            17 Years old

                            "Doing the MyStride mentorship over summer (2023) allowed me to make the jump from U16 Regional to U16 National. It was not easy, but it would not have been possible without it."

                              Maxence
                              Maxence

                              16 years old

                              Camps & Trainings

                              "Dear Christophe, I wanted to express my heartfelt thanks for the basketball camp held last week. This spring camp and sunday trainings contributed a lot to the development of my son (...). The amazing photographs truly captured the spirit of the event and the enriching experiences provided were instrumental in his growth and enjoyment of basketball. Thank you once again for all your dedication and effort."

                                Parent
                                Parent

                                "Merci pour cette super semaine de basketball. Tout était parfait et notre fils a adoré et se réjouit de repasser une semaine de camp avec vous! Merci"

                                  Parent
                                  Parent

                                  "Bonjour, Un tout grand merci pour ce camp. A**** et A****** ont eu beaucoup plaisir à y participer, tant pour le côté sport que pour le côté ambiance. Merci aussi au papa qui a partagé les photos."

                                    Parent
                                    Parent

                                    Meditations & Visualisations

                                    "I listen to the meditation at night. It allows me to work on my shooting, and as a bonus, it relaxes me and helps me sleep faster."

                                      Paul
                                      Paul

                                      16 years old

                                      Get in Touch With us

                                      Have questions or ready to elevate your game? We’re here to help! Contact us to learn more about our basketball programs. Fill out the form below, or drop us an email & we’ll get back to you as soon as we can. Let’s start your journey to becoming a better player today!

                                      +41 79 946 70 56

                                      Contact us!

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