High-Performance Sport Strategy 2026 – 2030
The SHPA High-Performance Sport Strategy 2026–2030 provides the framework for the further development of high-performance sport in paragliding and hang gliding in Switzerland. Its aim is to further optimise structures, promote talent in a targeted way and secure international success in the medium and long term. The strategy is aimed at athletes, coaches, association members and partner organisations. Here you will find a summary of the most important points.
Foundations
The strategy is based on the guidelines of the SHPA Executive Board, Swiss Olympic and the international federation FAI/CIVL. It is founded, among other things, on the SHPA Mission Statement 2019, the 2020plus Strategy and the Executive Board’s decisions regarding the Organisational Development in High-Performance Sport project, OELS.
Within this framework, key topics were defined: clear roles and interfaces, a shared vision, better use of synergies, strengthened knowledge transfer, coordinated communication and a professional organisation of high-performance sport.
Vision and mission
The SHPA provides targeted support to athletes in free flight on their path to peak performance, with the aim of being among the very best internationally. To achieve this, the association creates a motivating and appreciative environment, strengthens education and training, promotes innovation and maintains a vibrant community of volunteers and professionals.
Current situation
All paragliding disciplines – Competition, Hike & Fly, Acro and XC – as well as hang gliding are well established within the association. The office coordinates high-performance sport through the Head of High-Performance Sport, while the Event Manager organises the national competitions. The existing competition formats work well across all disciplines, and the website swissleague.ch supports membership administration, training organisation, competition operations and media work.
Strategic priorities
The strategy is based on 15 prioritised areas. The focus is on clarifying structures, tasks, interfaces and roles, strengthening elite and youth development, making use of synergies, ensuring high safety standards, maintaining a strong competition and event organisation, and securing and expanding financial resources.
These priorities are grouped into five main pillars:
1. Squad management and training
The SHPA promotes structured squad training in all disciplines, builds a competent pool of coaches, develops clear role descriptions and strengthens talent and squad selection processes according to PISTE. In addition, training opportunities specifically for women are to be created, and participation in major international events is to be ensured in a targeted way.
2. Competitions
Regional and national competitions are to be further developed. The “Swissleague” label serves as a cross-disciplinary competition system. International competitions in Switzerland are organised as independent projects, and the volunteer community in the competition sector is to continue to be supported and valued.
3. Youth development
Youth development is based on current international performance and sport-specific analyses. Ideal athlete pathways are mapped according to the FTEM model. Specific development programmes for female athletes as well as young athletes under 26 are to be established and further developed.
4. Safety and prevention
Safety and prevention have the highest priority in squad and competition operations, in youth development and in education and further training. Existing safety standards are applied consistently, reviewed and adapted where necessary.
5. Education and knowledge
The SHPA strengthens education and further training opportunities for coaches, monitors equipment trends, improves framework conditions for specialists and safeguards knowledge through targeted succession planning in key roles.
Synergies and organisation
A central objective is to make better use of synergies between the disciplines and avoid duplication. The exchange of experience between disciplines is intended to support sporting development. The High-Performance Sport Team provides the organisational framework for this.
The existing organisation is confirmed. The Executive Board remains responsible for fundamental decisions on strategy, organisation, finances, staffing, performance mandates and annual reporting. To provide greater planning security, the corresponding decisions should in future apply for four years.
Specific measures
The next steps include current international performance analyses in all disciplines and the development of an SHPA High-Performance Sport Development Concept in accordance with Swiss Olympic guidelines. This concept includes, among other things, measurable SMART objectives, athlete pathways according to FTEM, squad structures, coach education, training and competition infrastructure, and sports science support.
Further measures include active and coordinated media work, the search for additional sponsors and the further development of event organisation in cooperation with authorities, environmental organisations and the Federal Office of Civil Aviation.
Performance monitoring
The implementation of the strategy is reviewed using measurable criteria. These include sporting results at FAI World and European Championships, World Cups, the XAlps and other major competitions, media coverage, athlete satisfaction and feedback from management, the Executive Board and Swiss Olympic. An interim review will take place after two years; after four years, the strategy will be comprehensively evaluated and adapted where necessary.
You can find the complete High-Performance Sport Strategy, including graphics, here.
