On July 1st 1907 in Lwów there was a match between 1st Lwowski Klub Piłki Nożnej and Pogoń Lwów. This date is the beginning of the Polish Hockey. On October 31st  1926 in Poznań Polish Hockey Association originated. Since 1927 PHA has been the member of the International Hockey Federation.

Since the first start in The Olympic Games in Helsinki in 1952 Men’s national team have been known in the World. Men’s teams five times have taken part in The Olympic Games (1952, 1960 1972, 1980, 2000), Women’s – one (1980).

Poland played six times in World Cups (1975, 1978, 1981/82, 1986, 1998, 2002), ten times in European Championships (1970, 1974, 1978, 1983, 1987, 1991, 1995, 1999, 2003, 2005) and one in World Cup U-21 (2005). Men’s National and club teams belong to the top of the world in indoor hockey. Men’s team became Vice Champion in 2003. Earlier, in 1996, Men’s U-21 team had become European Champion. Pocztowiec Poznań won European Club Championship in 2003. Many times Men’s (1999, 2001), Men’s U-21 (1985, 1992, 1996, 2000), Women’s (2005) and club teams Pocztowiec Poznań (1995, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2005) and Grunwald Poznań (1994) has stood on podium during European Championships.

Many international tournaments have been organized in Poland e.g. 5th International Cup (World Cup Qualifier) in 1993 in Poznań also many events in youth categories in Gniezno,

Poznań and Siemianowice Śląskie. Since 1996 Polish Hockey Association have organized world – known international tournament Junior Challenge Open.

In Polish Hockey there are thousands of players, officials, coaches, umpires and volunteers.

Some of them are known in the world. Tadeusz Socholik from Katowice was one of the initiators of European Hockey Federation. For nearly 30 years he was a member of the Executive Board EHF.

In 1967 Poland, as a reward, got Paul Leautey’s Cup and in 1988 special Rene Frank’s reward for popularizing hockey.

Do następnego razu… (Till next time…)