The Polish Hockey Association (PZHT) came together last weekend to celebrate its 100th anniversary at the Poznań University of Technology Auditorium at a gala event.
It brought together players, coaches, umpires, officials, partners and supporters from across generations to honour a century of dedication to the sport and look ahead to its future.
Founded on 31 October 1926 in Poznań, the centenary celebrations reflected the achievements of the past as well as the enduring passion that continues to drive the sport forward.
The evening was complemented by historical film footage, personal stories and live music, bringing to life the many chapters of Polish hockey’s history.
Celebrated under the slogan “100 Years. One Passion. Shared History”, the centenary gala captured both the pride of Poland’s hockey heritage and the determination to continue building for the future.
EuroHockey President Marcos Hofmann with PZHT President Rafał Grotowski. Pictures: Mariusz Jarzab Photography
It also featured an array of dignitaries who joined to toast the occasion. EuroHockey President Marcos Hofmann was among them and paid tribute to the organisation’s key role in promoting the sport in Europe, citing one of the sport’s great architects, Tadeusz Socholik.
A EuroHockey Member of Honour and one of the founding fathers of the European Hockey Federation, Socholik was remembered for his crucial role, alongside Pablo Negre, in bridging the divide between Eastern and Western Europe during the formative years of the EHF.
The celebration was also recognised by the Polish government with President of the Republic Karol Nawrocki’s words read during the ceremony by diplomat Jakub Kumoch.
In his address, President Nawrocki praised the generations of athletes, coaches, officials and volunteers who have sustained Polish hockey through the decades, often despite limited facilities and resources.
Reflecting on Poland’s hockey heritage, the President recalled the men’s national team’s Olympic achievements, including sixth-place finishes in 1952 and a memorable fourth-place finish at the Moscow Olympics in 1980.
He also highlighted the success of the current women’s indoor team, reigning FIH Indoor Hockey World Champions, and the men’s team, European indoor silver medallists.
The Polish women’s Indoor World Cup winning side were honoured. Picture: Mariusz Jarzab Photography
Notably, he voiced a shared ambition across the Polish hockey community: a return to the Olympic Games after more than 25 years away.
“I know that the dream of your entire community is for our national team to return to the Olympics after a long absence of over a quarter of a century,” wrote President Nawrocki.
“I sincerely wish you that this dream will come true, and that the white and red flag will once again fly over the Olympic hockey fields.”
Minister of Sport and Tourism Jakub Rutnicki described the anniversary as “a testament to the extraordinary history, sporting passion and commitment of many generations”.
Rutnicki underlined the importance of continued investment in hockey infrastructure, noting government support for projects in key hockey centres including Gniezno, Środa Wielkopolska, Poznań University of Technology and the Eugeniusz Piasecki University of Physical Education in Poznań.
He emphasised that these investments are helping create improved conditions for training, youth development and future sporting success.
Throughout the evening, medals and commemorative awards were presented to individuals and organisations that have made significant contributions to Polish hockey.
Special honours were also awarded to long-serving administrators, community advocates and distinguished coaches whose efforts have shaped generations of Polish hockey players.
The event features a display of memorabilia from across the past century of hockey in Poland. Picture: Mariusz Jarzab Photography
Among those recognised was Ewa Wybieralska, who was additionally honoured by the Wielkopolska regional authorities for her outstanding service to sport.
Marlena Rybacha was recognised as the most-capped female international with 150 appearances, while Robert Grzeszczak was honoured as the most-capped male international with 270 appearances.
International officiating excellence was represented by four-time Olympic umpire Marcin Grochal and EuroHockey Executive member and Olympic technical official Magda Nazaret.
A particularly emotional moment came as the current Polish women’s indoor national team took to the stage with the trophy they won at the 2025 FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup.
Their success provided a powerful symbol of both the strength of contemporary Polish hockey and the promise of the next century.
