Another historical season has been notched up; 2022/23 saw the London based team finish third in the Super League and lost in the semi-final of the National Cup to Essex. The Pro Volley Academy players won another silver medal in the Under 18 National competition.
The Super League
IBB Polonia London won 15 of the 18 matches in the Super League this season. Niski’s team amassed 41 points and took the bronze medal.
„We started the season as a new team, and despite this started very solidly with four straight wins. The first defeat was in Durham who ended up winning gold. It was a wake up call for us, but we were still in the race for the first slot. Unfortunately as couple of five setters cost us valuable points and the chance of first place eventually was mathematically gone. Second place was still open for us and Malory Eagles, but in the end it was they who had an extra point. In summary the season was a good one” said Captain Bartosz Kisielewicz.
The painful semi-final loss to Essex rebels.
In January IBB Polonia London took on Essex Rebels in the semi-final of the National Cup. Despite winning the first set, the eventual score was 3-1 in favour of the hosts. Despite trying everything, Niski and his team couldn’t get the edge on the opposition. It was Alex Porter and his players who were overjoyed after the final whistle.
„The semi-final was the worst game of the entire year. I still think about the game and still can’t believe that we lost. It was worth remembering that we were a new team who only came together in September and we were still finding our way together. Every defeat is a lesson that teaches us for the next games” concluded Greg Niski.
Pro Volley Academy
On 23rd April, Pro Volley Academy played the final of the Under 18 National Cup. Niski’s team took on Boswell VC. Sadly the youngsters couldn’t quite find the power to finish them off and ended up losing 1-3. It was Boswells and their coach, and ex-Polonia player Darren Lewis who were victorious that day. A second consecutive silver for Pro Volley Academy is still considered a success.
The juniors took part in the national Under 18 competition and we won a silver again. En route to the final, we didn’t lose a single set. The final didn’t go according to our hopes. I am pleased that the majority of our players will be with us for another season, and I am sure we will do even better this coming year. It is, after all, progress and development that count more than results. The aims are that our own players move into the senior team and take part at an even higher level” emphasised Niski.
Any interested players for the 2023/24 season are welcome to contact The Club at https://provolley.london/.
Aims for 2023/2024
The Team is starting to develop for the new season. Specific details about this will be released soon. As usual, the aims are to improve the level of sport at The Club.
Youth work is also a key focus for the future; with this in mind, the formation of the IBB Polonia London Academy. This new team will be forming the players of the future. Both boys and girls between the ages of 12-16 are invited to join the sessions at Northolt High School.
As Head Coach of the junior and senior teams, I am pleased with our results and above all with the progress we made this season. I am confident we will be even stronger next year. Together with CEO Bartek Luszcz, we know the value of training young people and this becomes an even stronger aim. This is where the idea of opening the IBB Polonia London Academy came from. Training starts in September 2023; more information is available on: contact@polonia.vc – concluded Greg Niski.