Behind the Scenes at SCB Future: Athletic Training and Development Trends

SC Bern has detailed the operational structure of its “SCB Future” youth development program, focusing on a holistic integration of athletic training and personality development. According to a discussion featuring Nik Hess and Sandro Thom on the Mutzecast, the initiative aims to streamline the transition of young athletes into the professional ranks by balancing physical performance with psychological growth.

The program focuses on three primary pillars: athletics, technical training, and personality development. Nik Hess and Sandro Thom described these elements as the foundation for preparing youth players for the demands of professional ice hockey, according to the Mutzecast report published June 16, 2026.

How does SCB Future structure athlete development?

The SCB Future framework operates by integrating specialized athletic coaching with standard hockey training. Sandro Thom, who oversees athletic performance, emphasizes a structured approach to physical readiness to reduce injury risks and increase the longevity of young players.

Nik Hess manages the educational and training components, focusing on the technical skills required for the National League. The program seeks to move away from fragmented training sessions toward a unified system where physical and technical goals are aligned.

A central component of the strategy is the focus on personality. The club aims to develop the mental resilience and professional habits of athletes before they reach the senior team, which the Mutzecast participants identified as a critical gap in traditional youth systems.

Why is youth development a business priority for SC Bern?

Investing in a structured pipeline like SCB Future serves as a strategic financial hedge against the rising cost of professional player transfers. By producing “home-grown” talent, the club reduces its reliance on expensive external acquisitions to fill roster spots.

This approach contrasts with the historical trend in the Swiss National League of relying on established imports. The SCB Future model aligns with a broader shift toward sustainable squad building seen in top-tier European sports organizations.

The efficiency of this pipeline is measured by the number of youth players who successfully transition to the professional squad without requiring significant external rehabilitation or technical retraining.

What are the specific goals of the athletic and personality pillars?

The athletic pillar, led by Thom, prioritizes functional strength and explosive power tailored to ice hockey movements. This prevents the common “plateau” effect where youth players struggle to adapt to the physical intensity of the adult game.

The personality pillar focuses on accountability and professional conduct. According to the Mutzecast, this involves coaching players on how to handle failure and the pressures of a high-visibility professional environment in Bern.

By addressing these non-technical skills, the club intends to lower the attrition rate of talented players who possess the skill but lack the mental fortitude for the professional level.

How does this compare to previous SC Bern models?

Previous iterations of youth training at the club focused primarily on on-ice performance. The current SCB Future model introduces a multidisciplinary approach that elevates the role of the athletic trainer and the mental coach to be equal to that of the head coach.

While earlier systems treated athletics as a supplement to hockey, the current framework integrates it as a core requirement for progression within the academy.

This shift indicates a move toward the “high-performance center” model used by elite NHL and KHL academies, where the athlete’s total development is tracked through data and psychological profiling.