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| Photo Credits: Lukas and Pavel Danilyuk on Pexels |
The name of my blog is “Part-time working Hockey Mom” for good reason. Because that's exactly what I am. Even in the off-season, like now during summer training.
Training endurance, strength, and agility in hot and humid conditions - hashtag pushups - isn’t exactly popular. Some parents are okay with their kids skipping sessions regularly. But for me, it’s part of the whole package: Athletic development, commitment, and being a reliable teammate. I’m glad Colin has embraced this mindset and doesn’t even try to negotiate anymore.
His discipline and attitude have earned him respect, which may explain why he was elected team captain last season.
But I digress.
Last week, I heard on the news that the Federal Council has announced another cost-cutting package (they called it “across the board” — does anyone know more?). One of the measures starting in 2026 is a 20% cut to the J+S budget. That means less support for clubs, fewer youth camps, and rising costs for families, even though more and more young people are signing up.
What is J+S?
Jugend+Sport (Youth and Sports) supports over 75 different sports and enables more than 680,000 kids and teens across Switzerland to participate in organized sport. It helps clubs, coaches, and families afford everything from equipment to training camps.
We keep hearing that kids today are glued to screens, lack motivation and structure, eat poorly, and struggle socially. And now we’re slashing support for one of the few systems that keeps them grounded, healthy, and connected?
That makes zero sense to me.
It reminds me of other cuts being discussed — like reduced funding for education and academic support for immigrant children. If a kid doesn’t understand the language of instruction, they’ll fall behind in every subject, even the ones they’re good at. It’s a fast track to bad grades, poor job prospects, and becoming a long-term burden on unemployment and welfare funds — all because they didn’t get small-group language support early on.
For me personally, paying higher club fees wouldn’t be the end of the world. But the message this sends is just wrong. Parents who enable their kids to play sports already give up huge amounts of time. Driving to training and games, standing in the rain, in freezing ice rinks or in the scorching sun to cheer them on, getting up at stupid o'clock on weekends. They buy new gear every year because kids grow like weeds. They wash sweaty training clothes, prep snacks, cook dinner for the rest of the family, and repeat. The list goes on.
And now the government wants to say: “Sorry, we can’t afford to support your efforts — but thanks for paying taxes.”
A familiar Story:
This isn’t the first time J+S funding has faced cuts. Back in 2015, the federal government reduced subsidies for sports and leisure clubs by 25%, affecting scouts, footballers, and gymnasts alike. Clubs and families hoped for a quick correction — but nearly a decade later, the threat is back. That makes today’s petition even more crucial. We cannot keep taking steps backward when it comes to supporting youth sports.
Here's the irony:
Usually, I’m quite satisfied with how our taxes are spent. Things work in Switzerland. Our infrastructure is in top shape — no potholes, no collapsing bridges. Our utilities are safe and stable thanks to long-term public investment and a commitment to reliability over quick fixes. Our social benefits help keep crime rates low. When people don’t have to choose between feeding their families and breaking the law, everyone wins.
Even though Swiss residents pay health insurance premiums out of pocket, cantons cover at least 55% of hospital costs, and they also fund premium subsidies for low- and middle-income households.
And despite being a neutral country, we still treat ourselves to an army. Not because it’s strictly necessary, but because we’ve decided we value preparedness. So yes, we invest in tanks and training — and presumably prefer our recruits to be fit and strong. Just saying.
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| Photo by Pixabay |
Here's another fun fact
Switzerland’s power lines are deadly for birds like owls, storks, and eagles. When they spread their wings and touch two live wires at once, it’s fatal. To fix this, the government plans to spend CHF 100 million to make all medium- and high-voltage poles bird-safe. A solid investment to prevent bird deaths and power outages.
I’ve developed a soft spot for birds lately, so I genuinely think this is a good thing. But I can’t help but wonder:
Are birds now more important than our kids?
Because at the same time, we’re cutting funding for one of the few programs that keeps young people moving, thriving, and connected.
Elite Applause, Grassroots Neglect
The Federal Councillor always seems to enjoy attending European Championship and World Cup matches, cheering from the VIP section. But where exactly do you think those goal scorers come from? Last I checked, they don’t grow on trees. They come from local clubs, community pitches, early morning practices, and dedicated coaches, all part of the youth sports system we’re now being told we can’t afford to support.
What you can do:
A petition is underway to stop the planned J+S cuts before they’re written into law.✅ Everyone can sign — all ages, all nationalities (you just have to live in Switzerland).
The petition was started by Sven Brändle, a 20-year-old from Pfäffikon (ZH) who is active in youth work and sports. I applaud his courageous commitment. Who knows - perhaps his leadership skills will get him into the Federal Council one day?
Do petitions even work?
They can. They’ve led to real change before, like the GMO ban in 1998, or the fireworks restrictions in 2023. Petitions can put pressure on lawmakers, trigger public debate, and even pave the way for referendums or new legislation.
As of today, the J+S petition has collected over 120,000 signatures (target: 150,000).
If you can make it one more, thank you.
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