French-speaking Switzerland · since 2016
Basketball as
a school of life
Stride Your Passion: moving with determination towards what you love.
Why SYP exists
To give the next generation of players the structure that Christophe Varidel, its founder, wishes he had had as a young player.
Our mission
To support young people in their athletic and personal growth, combining the joy of the game with structured development, to build physical, mental and ethical resilience.
Christophe Varidel
Founder · former NCAA I
SYP on video
Video won't play? Open it on YouTube.
Who makes up SYP today
A small team,
passionate about basketball
- CV
Founder
Christophe Varidel
Former NCAA Division I player, professional in Switzerland and member of the Swiss national team, including in 3x3. He founded SYP in 2016 and wrote The Basketball Path.
- SR
On the team since 2025
Samuel Racloz
He brings his organisational experience, his passion for basketball and his background in business and finance.
Our coaches
Trained in our development-stage approach, they lead our camps and training sessions.
Coach Harrison
Versoix, Nyon, Genève
Peter Olumese
Coach
Coach Peter is always there to bring the energy and the good vibes.
Coach Anas
Renens, Lausanne
Tracy Albicy
Coach
Our method
Developing the player,
and the person
01
Stages of development
An independent approach based on each player's stage of development, rather than on age alone.
02
The joy of the game first
A young player who enjoys the game trains longer and improves more. Everything else follows from that.
03
The mind can be trained too
A mental game session every camp day, a book and guided meditations: mental preparation is part of the programme.
Our values
Why are we so cool?
Stride Your Passion is more than basketball… It's a lifestyle, an identity. Here are our three core values, the things we pass on.
A healthy environment
We are here to help young people grow, not just as players but as human beings. We wanted them surrounded by good role models who show them the right path without ever forgetting to have fun along the way. With us, the joy of playing comes first: that is where it all begins, and that is how they improve.
Accessible to all
We want every young person to live their passion for basketball to the full, in the best possible conditions, whatever their background. We are committed to offering the fairest prices: no young player should miss out on the game because of limited means.
Environmental commitment
Let's be honest: basketball culture sometimes flirts with overconsumption, and we want to put the brakes on it. Hence our second-hand sportswear line, fewer unnecessary giveaways, and jerseys reused throughout our camps. Less waste, more awareness.
Where this vision comes from
Christophe's story,
from Versoix to today
Twenty-eight years of basketball, told by those who lived them.
The beginning
1997 — A passion is born
Christophe discovers basketball at the age of 7 at Versoix Basket, thanks to a school friend. A first ball that would change his life.
The choice
2004 — Following his heart
After trying several sports, Christophe decides to devote himself entirely to basketball. His passion becomes a commitment.
1 / 3
Titles
2005–2008 — Golden years in Versoix
Swiss U15 champion (2005)
Swiss U17 runner-up (2007)
Swiss U20 champion (2008)
But also…
A severe adductor injury: 18 months away from the court. A formative ordeal that strengthens his resilience.
1 / 4
Departure
2009 — Heading to the United States & national recognition
Christophe earns his Swiss high-school diploma and joins Worcester Academy (USA). There he plays alongside future NBA players (Will Barton, Andre Drummond, Michael Carter-Williams, Nick Stauskas, Ricky Ledo, Russ Smith…) in the legendary NEPSAC league.
Selected for the Swiss U20 national team
Finishes as the 2nd top scorer at the U20 European Championship in Skopje, Macedonia
1 / 2
NCAA
2010 — The NCAA dream
Christophe receives a full scholarship to play NCAA Division I at Florida Gulf Coast University. A dream come true.
1 / 2
Progress
2010-2012 — First successes
Atlantic Sun Conference All-Freshman Team, alongside future pros such as Torey Craig (NBA) and Langston Hall (EuroLeague), conference final in the 2011-2012 season...
1 / 10
March Madness
2012-2013 — A national sensation
Conference champion with FGCU
A national sensation during March Madness: wins over Georgetown and San Diego State, a place in the Sweet 16 against the Florida Gators, in front of 40,000 people.
1 / 3
Record
2013-2014 — A moment of grace
Christophe joins Chaminade University (NCAA D2) for his senior year. At the legendary Maui Invitational, he scores 42 points against Baylor (then ranked in the national Top 16) with 10 three-pointers (a Maui Invitational record),
But his season is cut short by chronic knee pain.
1 / 2
Transition
2014-2015 — A difficult transition
Bachelor's in Business Administration (Chaminade), Master's in Sport Management (University of Alabama)
A last chance at Alabama (SEC) never materialises, due to injuries and tensions with the staff.
Christophe signs his first pro contracts in Switzerland (Lugano Tigers, Massagno).
The mission
2016 — End of a career, start of a mission
After several years of chronic pain, Christophe ends his playing career. Four knee operations in four years follow.
He founds StrideYourPassion (SYP): a bridge to the USA for young Swiss talent.
1 / 5
The camps
2016-2019 — Launch and success
SYP runs camps in the USA (Worcester) and in Switzerland.
Many young players come through SYP and go on to shine: Toni & Niko Rocak, Jacques Safre, Noah Fruh, Achile Spadone, Matteo Picarelli, Laurent Zoccoletti, Nicolo Isotta and many more...
1 / 4
Solidarity
2018-2023 — Humanitarian projects
SYP launches its charity, raises funds and renovates two basketball courts in Guinea-Bissau in 2018, then builds a court for the community of Ukonga, Tanzania, in 2022
1 / 7
Adapting
2020 — Adapting
Covid forces a rethink of the model.
The start of a grassroots coaching adventure, with camps all year round for young players from age 8.
1 / 3
Comeback
2021 — Resilience and comeback
After five years out and four knee operations, Christophe returns to competition with Lausanne 3x3 and the Swiss 3x3 national team.
1 / 2
The book
2022 — The message becomes a book
After nearly 3 years of work, “Win The Day” (now The Basketball Path) is released: a hands-on book to help young basketball players give structure to their dreams.
The team
2025 — A new era
Samuel Racloz joins the SYP team! He brings his organisational experience, his passion for basketball and his background in business and finance.
1 / 3
Expansion
2025 — Expansion
New camps in Veyrier, Renens and Sarine. Launch of our second-hand clothing line to mark our commitment to a responsible basketball culture.