After a four-year break, the Talent Academy returns from Żory to Jastrzębie-Zdrój. The Sports Hall on Reja Street will host a training base and a student boarding house and, ultimately, also a school.
Sunday’s event was attended by: pupils, their parents and carers, coaches and members of the training team, as well as the authorities of our Club and special quests.
- I’m happy that the inauguration of the school year is taking place in our city, in Jastrzębie-Zdrój, in a place linked with the great history of Jastrzębie volleyball – said the host of the meeting Adam Gorol, president of Jastrzębski Węgiel’s management board.
Jastrzębski Węgiel’s president emphasized the role of the Club’s Strategic Partner, Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa S.A., in the Academy’s existence and activity. – Together with our Strategic Partner we are committed to this mission. To training the youths and to executing this project. I would like to thank our Strategic Partner, because if it were not for JSW and its management board, we would not be here – said our Club manager.
Roberto Santilli, the coach of the first squad, did not hide his fascination with the idea. – We are impressed by the organization of the Jastrzębski Węgiel Talent Academy. The Academy has perfect conditions for training and learning – believes the Italian coach.
Before the return of the Talent Academy to Jastrzębie-Zdrój, modernization investments have been made to reconstruct the hotel for the youngsters. Children and youths from the TA will spend the 2019/2020 school year in the Sports Championship School in Jastrzębie-Zdrój on Kusocińskiego Street.
– The Sports Championship School is a new reality for all of us. It will be a school put a lot of emphasis on education as well as on sport. We want sport to be accompanied by a high level of education. We have professional teaching staff and the classes will be adapted to the students’ life pattern and to their training – said Elżbieta Dziech-Siekierska, director of the Jastrzębski Węgiel sports school.
The event also featured a presentation with the participation of the unbroken sportsman Sławomir Jędrzejko. At the age of 25 the Bielsko-Biała-based athlete had a skiing accident during which he damaged his spinal cord and ended up in a wheelchair. Thanks to his determination, he returned to active sport. – It is sport that shaped my character and enabled me to recover after the accident and forget about the bad things – emphasized Jędrzejko.
Jakub Popiwczak is the most recognized personality that comes from the Talent Academy and today is the player in the first squad. The 23-year-old libero will start his eighth season in the PlusLiga volleyball league wearing JW colors. – I envy these young boys that they can start their adventure with volleyball in such a wonderful place, because they have even better conditions that we did. The Academy is moving forward. This is a great start for all of them – believes Poland’s national team player and bronze medal winner at this year’s Nations League.