IBB Polonia moves out of Bełchatów

The training camp that existed in Bełchatów since August 2021 has come to an end. The extended stay in Poland was caused by Brexit and non-existent visas for professional volleyball players. PGE Skra Bełchatów were pivotal in the training camp and it was their facilities and know how that they provided; this is because they invited the English champions into their home The Energy Hall. Following the defeat by Orion Doetinchem and their elimination from European competition, the players’ contracts ended and a number of them left The Club. The London based team will now only play in England.

The Champions of England decided to move the squad to Poland because of the very long delay imposed on The Club in terms of visa issuance. IBB Polonia London flew to Poland to gather and to prepare for European competition. This phase lasted from August until the start of the CEV Champions League. Following the very close defeat to Belorussian Shakhitor Soligorsk, played in the neutral ground of Bełchatów, the players under the tutelage of Vangelis Koutouleas were eliminated from that competition. Following that was the defeat in November to Orion Doetinchem in the 1/32 round of the CEV Cup and this concluded the season’s European campaign. Despite the lack of wins, IBB Polonia London evolved significantly in terms of sport, organisation and business. 

„It is time to leave our second home. I am pleased that we have continued our work with PGE Skra Bełchatów and that we could spend so much time in their sports hall, and enjoy their incredible help and support while we were there. Sadly the European phase has ended and we have to come back to London to play domestic competitions. In the English league we will be playing with our juniors from Pro Volley Academy and a number of players from previous seasons who are legally allowed to live, work and play in England. I want to thank all of the players who worked so hard this season; it is going to be sad to say goodbye to them. I wish them the best for their careers and in life in general” said Bartek Łuszcz, CEO of IBB Polonia London.

„We felt totally at home in Bełchatów. I am pleased to hear from PGE Skra that they enjoyed hosting us in their home and that they were happy with how we worked with them. It is important to me that we left a good impression. I am sure that this is not the last time we will be together; I want to publicly thank, once again, our friends and hosts and wish them the greatest of successes this season and in the future” said Jacek Ambroży main shareholder of the Club and the owner of IBB Builders Merchants – strategic sponsor of the Club.

“I am happy that Bełchatów and PGE Skra could help our London friends as much as we have. Both clubs have shown, once again, that they have each others’ support. It seems as though we formed a perfect training environment, the perfect opportunity for friendly games as well as CEV Champions League games. It is a huge shame that our friends cannot continue their adventure in Europe, but I know this provided huge experience for them which will come to fruition in the future. We are always open to more work together. See you soon!” said Konrad Piechocki, Chairman of KPS Skra Bełchatów S.A.

Following the conclusion of a very challenging, and not entirely successful European phase of the season, IBB Polonia London will continue to work from London. They will focus on the domestic league and National Cup and also the development of the Pro Volley Academy which is one of the main goals of the English Club.

„In relation to a sports level, I think that we raised our own bar a very long way. We built a strong squad that represented our highest standard so far. However, it is still not a good enough level to compete at Champions  League level: after all, this competition is appropriately named. The very best of each country take part, so we will always be facing the best that there is. We must now analyse what we achieved and assess ourselves from a sporting perspective. We know that we are getting closer and closer to the level needed to push the best teams and so we know that in future seasons an even stronger squad is needed as well as teaching our youngsters how to play at this level. I can say that year by year we are also getting stronger in terms of sports marketing and organisation. The aim of increasing our potential has been achieved, but we must improve in all elements in an even shorter timeframe” added Jacek Ambroży.

“The current plan is the domestic league. We are currently unbeaten, and we are also in the quarter finals of the National Cup. We are heading the right way in England and we want to win the Super League title so that the door is open to the CEV Champions League next season. However, we will have decide if we want to take part in this competition. Now we will focus on Pro Volley; we are happy for the young players for the recent victories, and we are delighted that they have such a huge potential to play at the highest level in this country” concluded Jacek Ambroży.

pic. Paweł Piotrowski