Volero Zurich is one of the most regarded clubs in the world and especially in the Swiss volleyball league. With this in mind, they have not been a strong powerhouse internationally in the past few years and most likely because of their weaker national schedule.
In the past 13 seasons, Zolero has won 12 national titles in Switzerland and eight in a row. This is great, as it will get them into the CEV Champions League, but they have been unable to make a “splash” at this competing or the FIVB Club World Championships, despite bringing in top-of-the-line players. Notable players on the squad are Inky Ajanaku, Ana Antonijevic and Bojana Zivkovic.
This now has the higher-ups in the club thinking about relocating the women’s program to another country, to build up their powerhouse program with better competition. What better place to do this than in the French Women’s Serie A1 league.
In an interview with World of Volley, Volero’s President Stav Jacobi has mentioned that the weakness in the Swiss league is a top reason to contemplate a move. This has caused the club to falter in the bigger international competitions, like losing five times in the Playoff 6 and having lost five times in the semifinals of the Club World Championships.
Jacobi said after careful evaluation of other leagues around the world, based on strength and strong partnerships that the French League would be the best bet for Volero going forward, though Germany is still a leading option for the squad. The strength of the league, good infrastructure, administrative and financial support from the local authority and experience of winning the Champions League could help them out in a new league. Jacobi believes that a full outline of the clubs plans to relocate will take about 4-6 weeks, with a decision set for the end of February.
The move to another country for Volero would just amount to the women’s team, with headquarters remaining in Zurich.
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