A new season, continual changes and huge European ambitions

In 2017, IBB Polonia announced its plans for development and outlined its strategic aims. From this time, thanks to the incredible support from IBB Builders Merchants, the Club is following an impressive path towards the very top of European volleyball and is competing with them for trophies. To succeed with such steep ambitions, the intermediate targets had to be demanding and the developments within the Club had to be significant.

IBB Polonia London has made huge steps forward over the four seasons that have passed, in terms of sport as well as organisation and business. It is the only British club with such European success, and has ambitions to succeed even further. The team has worked hard on improving its sporting level on court. The number of trainings has increased, which improves the collective team level as well as each individual player. With the help of Future Stars, the Pro Volley Academy has been set up and aims to school young British players into fully fledged volleyball athletes. The Club has focussed on professionalising the team and has been recruiting strong experienced players. For the upcoming season, IBB Polonia London is deeply involved in the transfer market and are working on filling their roster with significantly better players from around the world. The first news will be announced shortly.

Sport isn’t the only area for growth for the Club. Business has also been a key area for development; it is obvious that professional clubs operate at a high level of business, and the growth of this aspect is due to the support of its investors. IBB Polonia London operates thanks to its sponsors and titular investors IBB Builders Merchants, which has agreed a contract to stay with the Club for several more years. In addition there are a number of private investors that are supporting the Club in a significant manner. The support of IBB Builders Merchants is not just a financial one. They share their business acumen and regularly involve themselves in the day to day running of the Club which benefits the organisation. Thanks to this cooperation, the Club is steadily popularising volleyball in the UK and promoting the union between Poland and the UK thanks to their shared history. The quality of  sporting events  has improved, digital advertising during televised games is now the norm for the Club. The brand is always increasing in its quality and reputation which brings improved conditions for the players, staff, fans and potential new business partners.

The group of sponsors is always increasing, for example ATLAS and BOROMAX are two such partners.

For the next few years, playing at the highest level in the Champions League will be a feature. The Club is also planning a number of impressive announcements, such as improving the attractiveness of the games, entertainment for fans, support and help to develop the Supporters club, developing the partnerships with PGE Skra Bełcahtów and ZAKSA Kędzierzyn-Koźle. The number of contacts with European Clubs grows continually, the number of fans increases and the interest of television companies such as Polsat Sport or BT Sport. In addition the development of new media interest is always happening. These developments help increase the financial income and business relationships are always being developed as a result which produce excellent two way relationships and financial income all round.

“With my hand on my heart, I can state that the Club has achieved more than it had imagined. We are not able to make all of the new changes simultaneously, but bit by bit, new initiatives will be announced. We don’t have a reverse gear in the Club, and I am confident that the sporting world has noticed this long ago and has become accustomed to the IBB Polonia London forward momentum, and will be waiting for us to show new trends in volleyball. We are equal competitions in some aspects of what we do with the very elite of world volleyball; even the pandemic and the lockdown in England have not knocked us off our stride. We are prepared to engage the next obstacle. We are on an amazing journey and will soon be able to offer the highest level of sport, business and marketing. We have a holistic approach to our branch of work and are aware that sport events and our work give great happiness to our fans and employment to our players and helps them realise their dreams, and also that our partners will benefit financially. and return their investment” said Bartek Łuszcz, CEO of IBB Polonia London.

“A few years ago, I made the decision to sponsor the team, and this is still a long term investment for me and has enormous potential. I am delighted that the Club has many projects on the horizon, benefits from business advice and embraces these ideas. Together with the Club, we have shown that there are no barriers, and regardless of the situation we make progress. As long as we maintain this dynamic we will fulfil all of our aims and will become a volleyball powerhouse. We have much to do, but everything is achievable. This year, we are focussed on a greater development of our sport. We are recruiting players with big international experience and character on court. We aim for the season to give our players the best tools to help them play at the highest level possible. The Club must encourage this dynamic development by increasing the budget year on year, develop the business framework and improve the organisational work via marketing and finance to help encourage other companies to partner with us” said Jacek Ambroży, owner of IBB Builders Merchants and the Club’s main  shareholder.

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