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UEFA’s strong relationship with the town of Nyon in western Switzerland – its home since 1995 – is underpinned by its support for the town’s sports activities.
The Foundation for the Development of Sport in Nyon, entirely funded by UEFA and aimed at fostering sport in the town of 21,000 inhabitants on the shores of Lake Geneva, has awarded grants for 2020 totalling 70,000 Swiss francs (CHF) to six local sports clubs/associations and initiatives.
The grants are a fitting way to celebrate the foundation’s 20th anniversary this year.
A gift of thanks
UEFA created the Foundation for the Development of Sport in Nyon in 2000 to recognise the town’s contribution in helping European football’s governing body settle quickly and easily in the area after its move from the Swiss federal capital Berne five years earlier. Financial support provided by the foundation aims to encourage local people, especially youngsters, to practise a sport. It also looks to improve and develop the town’s sporting facilities and infrastructures, provide specialist equipment for Nyon’s sports associations, and give individual help to elite sportsmen and women based in the town.
A board is responsible for the foundation’s management, comprising the mayor of Nyon as well as a Nyon municipal official and a representative of UEFA. Since 2002, grants amounting to more than CHF 1.36m in total have been allocated to the town’s sports community.
Making dreams come true
“UEFA is delighted to contribute to sporting life in Nyon,” said UEFA President Alexander Ceferin. “The Foundation for the Development of Sport in Nyon… has already fulfilled countless dreams.”
“The foundation has been a crucial pillar in the excellent relationship between UEFA and its home town. Through the foundation, UEFA has been able to give something back to Nyon in return, and it is highly appropriate that sport has been our way of expressing our thanks.”
2020 grants
The recipients of the 2020 grants are:
– Société nautique de Nyon (sailing club, CHF 20,000)
– Nyon Rugby Club (CHF 20,000)
– Vélo Club Nyon (cycling club, CHF 10,000)
– Cercle des nageurs (swimming club, CHF 10,000)
– Association Défi Parkinson (fund-raising project for research into Parkinson’s disease, CHF 5,000)
– Nyon Handball La Côte (CHF 5,000).
The foundation is also marking its 20th anniversary by allocating an additional CHF 70,000 to support Nyon’s sports organisations. The initiative “20 ans – 20 CHF” (“20 Years – 20 Swiss Francs”) will see each sports club/association in the town receive CHF 20 for every young member aged between 5 and 20.
Proud UEFA hosts
“The municipality considers itself very fortunate to receive UEFA’s support for local sport,” said the mayor of Nyon, Daniel Rossellat.
“The Foundation for the Development of Sport in Nyon is a driving force, an additional motivation for sports enthusiasts and, in particular, for future generations, our athletes in the making.”
“The town of Nyon is proud to house the headquarters of UEFA, an organisation that enjoys an international reputation and promotes the top European soccer teams, while developing grassroots soccer for all in its 55 [member] associations.”
UEFA’s football campus
Following its move from Berne in 1995, UEFA initially spent four years at temporary premises in Nyon while its new headquarters, the UEFA House of European Football, were built on the outskirts of the town.
Over the years since its inauguration in October 1999, UEFA’s headquarters has grown into an impressive football campus. The campus comprises three buildings and employs more than 800 people working in the service of European football in a wide variety of capacities.
Hosts of UEFA Youth League finals
In 2010, UEFA took over the management of the impressive Colovray stadium (main picture) opposite the European body’s headquarters.
The stadium – home to Swiss third-tier club FC Stade Nyonnais – stages the UEFA Youth League final phase each year, and has also played host to European youth competition finals.
Top European club and national teams have made use of Colovray’s excellent facilities for pre-season training and preparation for international competitions.
