INTERVIEW
Kliknite SEM, ak si chcete tento rozhovor prečítať v slovenčine.
Please briefly introduce your club to us.
The beginnings of hockey in Jastrzębie date back to 1952, when a group of young people founded the hockey club LZS Jastrzębianka. At that time a swimming pool served as the ice rink. The first game was played in 1953. The building of a rink was completed in 1975. We’ve had an indoor arena for just 14 years; it was built in 2005. Among the biggest successes of the senior team in recent years are: second place in the Polish championships (2013 and 2015), bronze medalist (2014), winner of the Polish Cup (2012 and 2018). Aside from seniors, the club also trains children and youth. We have all the categories represented in the club, from mini-hockey up through juniors.
How many teams are there in Poland in this age category? What’s the competition there like?
In our age category there are currently 15 teams in Poland, which are divided into three groups. The level of individual teams varies. At the end of this season the best 4 teams will take part in a nationwide final.
Tell us something about your coaching career. When did you begin coaching?
I began to work as a youth coach 20 years ago. During my career I’ve coached teams from mini-hockey up through category U15.
Do you have a coaching model? What style of hockey do you prefer? What do you demand from your players?
I have a lot of experience from teams from the Czech Republic, and I take a lot from the professional literature. I ask my players to be active on the ice and to be fully engaged in what’s happening.
Is there something you would like to achieve as a coach? Do you have a coaching dream?
In my work a team approach is important above all else. It’s important to continuously develop young hockey players, so that in the future our youngsters determine the strength of our senior JKH team. There is an inscription on the wall of our stadium that inspires me: “Victory is important, but the approach is most important”.
You took part in the first round of the Carpathian Junior Hockey League as a guest, but you quickly confirmed your interest in becoming a regular league member. What led you to that?
As I’ve already mentioned, there are only a few teams in the Polish league that we regularly play against. We often take part in tournaments in the Czech Republic, since we’re only 15km from the border. Sometimes in Slovakia, too. In the CJHL we have the opportunity to face peers from other countries. This League is interesting for us – 4 tournaments and another 20 matches in an international league. This is very important in the process of globalization of hockey.
You did well in the first round, winning all five matches. How would you rate the level of competition?
Our results are, of course, very nice, but at the same time it motivates us to continue hard work in our training sessions. Many of the matches were even and exciting. My boys acquired valuable experience in them. I’m aware that the August tournament was just the league opening. Individual teams were in different stages of preparation for the season and so their makeup was not necessarily complete and the strongest. I think the level of competition will be even higher in the following rounds.
The second round will take place in Novoiavorivsk. What ambitions will you travel with to Ukraine?
The tournament will show us how well we’ve worked in the past three months. I’m glad that we’ll again be able to measure strength with the rivals in CJHL and fight for a good result.
The end of the season is still far away, but what would make you happy as a coach at the end of the season?
We want to advance to the final six in the CJHL and have the opportunity to play other interesting matches on a high level. As far as the home league is concerned, our goal here is to achieve the best result in the final group.
What would you wish for all the CJHL players?
That participation in this league be an adventure for each of them. Develop and improve your skills by playing in the spirit of fair play.
