IBB Polonia London returns to Belchatow

IBB Polonia London has already returned to training and preparing for the upcoming season. The Champions of England have regrouped and on 22nd August will, once again, head to Poland to continue the work. Thanks to the warm invitation and generous help from PGE Skra Belchatow, Vangelis Koutouleas’ players will be a regular fixture in the “Energy Hall” in Poland.  The aim is to prepare the London team for this season’s edition of the CEV Champions League competition.

Following a break of eight months, due to the pandemic, the English club has once again begun training. Monday, 16th August was the start date for a proportion of the players to meet up and start the lengthy process; the venue was a beach volleyball facility that witnessed the initial movements and games.

This weekend, the players from London will move house and continue training full time. The only way that this could happen, was for the operation to take place in Poland. The reason Poland was chosen, is that the infrastructure and facilities that exist there are perfect for the conditions required by the coaching team. PGE Skra Belchatow, has an incredible facility consisting of a world class sports hall and training rooms, once again has agreed to support IBB Polonia London on their mission. The logistical support of their long-term partners will also be on offer during their stay in Poland. This unique relationship is beneficial to both clubs and both wholeheartedly are invested in this work. The English Champions, in relation to their long term goals, have decided upon the best possible solution and are aiming for the best possible sport results in the future.

This season will be the third foray into the CEV Champions League for IBB Polonia London, and the main aim is to improve their sporting performance on court; last year the adventure ended in the first round. This season, the opponents will be the Belarus Champions Shakhtior Soligorsk. The games are planned in October 2021.

The incomplete team will arrive in Belchatow; new players will join periodically during their stay such as the new setter from Chile – Matias Banda – who is currently on duty with his National Team. New announcements relating to the 2021/22 season will be made soon.

“Belchatow is our second home. We only have happy memories about our previous stays there. We are very grateful to our hosts and friends – PGE Skra Belchatow and appreciate their support in our work together. We are so pleased to be able to benefit from their infrastructure. We don’t have a sports facility in London that is on the same level as the Energy Hall. Access to the multi award winning club PGE Skra’s facilities will hopefully help us to achieve our aims in the Champions League this season.” said Bartek Łuszcz, CEO of IBB Polonia London.

“IBB Polonia London has been our partner club for many years and I am glad that our friendship is continuing. For that reason we received the request to return to Belchatow, we didn’t hesitate for a second and offered our help again. IBB Polonia will prepare their Champions League  campaign in the Energy Hall  as our venue has been a Champions League arena for many years. I hope our cooperation will help Polonia stay in the competition for a long time.” says Konrad Piechocki, KPS Skra Bełchatów S.A. Chairman.

Apart from fine tuning sporting excellence, IBB Polonia London is improving its marketing and organisation level. There has been a subtle rebranding seeing a colour change that matches the philosophy of The Club that is aiming to become a multidisciplinary leader in volleyball over the next few years. IBB Polonia London is maintaining its unique identity and remains attached to its red and white roots and the blue colour that has proven so successful over recent years. The colours black and orange have also made a recent appearance on match kits. The new colour branding will become apparent in the training kit and match kit, new graphics will appear and the website will be refreshed once again.

“We have started the new season and right from the start we are showing that we continue to evolve in all aspects that exist. I think the long break has been beneficial to us. Thanks to the work with PGE Skra Belchatow, we have guaranteed our players total professionalism in terms of training venue and we are doing everything to facilitate the period leading up to the CEV Champions League competition. We have also prepared, for our supporters, new initiatives in terms of marketing and organisation. The effects of our work will become evident soon. I hope that our fans, partners and media will also show the same enthusiasm as members of The Club. I know that new partners will be attracted to our work and will work with us to realise our aims.” said Jacek Ambroży, owner of IBB Builders Merchants, the Club’s strategic sponsor and main shareholder of IBB Polonia London.

More about the ambitious plans of the English Club are free to view on www: http://new.ibb.pl/a-new-season-continual-changes-and-huge-european-ambitions/