
The men’s national Australian football team of Switzerland, originally known as the Swiss Mountain Cocks, was founded in 2016 by dual national Swiss and Australian, Stefan Burgener. The team began training ahead of the 2017 AFL Europe Euro Cup in Bordeaux, France, with Stefan taking on the role of captain-coach and leading all regular training sessions held in Winterthur, where all players were based.
Despite none of the players having prior experience in Australian football, they quickly fell in love with the sport and embraced the opportunity to represent Switzerland on the international stage.
With minimal experience under their belts, the team finished 14th out of 14 teams at the 2017 Euro Cup.
Notably, several players from that inaugural squad—including Lars Mathis, Till Roost, Chris Lauener, and Mario Müller—continue to represent the Swiss national side today.
In 2018, Stefan turned his focus toward growing Australian football in Switzerland. His initial goal was to build momentum and recruit new talent for the national team. That same year, he connected with Jason Ransome of Basel, who offered administrative support and helped Stefan establish ties within the Australian community in Switzerland. Jason also accompanied the national team as a supporter at the 2018 Euro Cup in Cork, Ireland, where the Swiss Mountain Cocks once again finished at the bottom—15th out of 15.
Momentum began to build rapidly in 2019, thanks to the addition of Tommy Ross from Geneva as coach. Originally from Western Australia, Tommy brought with him a wealth of AFL experience. Under his guidance, the team debuted a new identity as the Swiss Wolves at the 2019 Euro Cup in Norrtälje, Sweden, fielding a far stronger side and finishing 11th out of 16 nations.
Tommy continued coaching the Swiss Wolves until the end of 2022. In late 2023, Stefan relocated to Canada with his partner, and Lars Mathis stepped up as team captain in 2024—a role he continues to hold today.
In 2023, Dave White of Geelong, Australia, assumed the position of head coach and remains in charge of the Swiss Wolves› coaching program.
By 2025, Jason Ransome became CEO of AFL Switzerland, setting an ambitious goal: to win a Euro Cup by 2030. That same year, the Swiss Wolves are set to send a full squad to the Euro Cup in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
AFL Europe – Eurocup Results Swiss Wolves
Year | Location | Countries | Place |
2017 | Bordeaux, France | 14 | 14th |
2018 | Cork, Ireland | 15 | 15th |
2019 | Norrtälje, Sweden | 16 | 11th |
2020 | Cancelled – Covid | – | – |
2021 | Cancelled – Covid | – | – |
2022 | Edinburgh, Scotland | 13 | 13th |
2023 | Kiel, Germany | 14 | 14th |
2024 | Kiel, Germany | 14 | 14th |
2025 | Amsterdam, Netherlands | 15 |







