Founded in February 2018, the Winterthur Lions have been a cornerstone of Australian Rules Football in Switzerland. Though officially established in 2018, the group began training in 2016 in preparation for the Euro Cup in 2017, where they competed as the Swiss National Team. In the lead up to the Champions League in 2018, the name "Winterthur Lions" was coined and the club's founding AGM was held. As the only club in Switzerland composed entirely of Swiss players at the time, Winterthur played a pivotal role in shaping the country’s footy landscape. A 7-v-7 exhibition match in Winterthur in August 2018 increased interest and awareness of Australian Rules football in Switzerland, which helped lead to the formation of two new clubs - the Basel Dragons and the Geneva Jets - and the formation of AFL Switzerland in 2019.
The club was founded and driven by Stefan Burgener, a Swiss-Australian dual national, who served as Winterthur’s inaugural president until the end of 2023. Supporting him was Till Roost, the club's vice president. Many of Winterthur’s early players—such as Lars Mathis, Till Roost, and Mario Müller—continue to represent the club today.
In 2023, Winterthur Lions claimed the AFL Switzerland Premiership, further cementing their legacy in the sport. Following Stefan’s departure to Canada at the end of 2023, Lars Mathis and Noah Weber stepped up as co-presidents, leading the club into its next chapter.
Notable Players & Contributions Winterthur has hosted some remarkable talent over the years, including former VFL player Nick Evans, who played during the club’s championship-winning season, and ex-WAFL player David Secomb, who contributed in the club’s formative years.
Ulrike (Effie) Senti, a founder of AFL Switzerland, played for Winterthur before establishing the Zürich Giants AFC, helping grow the sport across the country. David Bunge, a notable former coach, played a key role in the club's development—his son Daniel remains an active player today.
Stefan played a pivotal role in establishing AFL Switzerland, serving as its inaugural president for two years while simultaneously leading the Winterthur Lions as president. His leadership extended to the national stage, where he was a driving force behind the creation of the Swiss national team, proudly captaining it from 2017 to 2023.
In 2024, Lars Mathis was appointed captain of the Swiss national team, the Swiss Wolves. He will once again lead the squad at the 2025 Eurocup in Amsterdam, continuing his role at the helm
Winterthur Lions continues to be a major contributor to Switzerland’s national teams, providing talented players for both the Swiss Wolves (men’s team) and Swiss Heidis (women’s team), ensuring the future of Australian Rules Football in the region remains bright.
2025 Training Sessions
When: Tuesday evenings (19:30 - 21:00)
Thursday evenings (19:00 - 21:00)
Where: Schulhaus Mattenbach - Talgutstrasse 71, 8400 Winterthur
Contact: winterthurlionsafc@gmail.com
