History

Under the current name Polish Volleyball Federation (PZPS) functions since 1957 and its responsibility is to promote and develop volleyball in our country. Before, during the interwar and Stalin era there was not separate volleyball organization yet. Therefore, the discipline was governed by Polish Federation of Movement Games (Sport Games) and later by Polish Handball, Basketball, or Volleyball Federation.

In 1947 Poland was one of the founders of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB).

First volleyball championships of Poland (both men and women) were organized in 1929, in Warsaw. Till 1935 the games were performed outside, on tennis court surfaces. In the 30s international contacts were established, mainly with strong clubs from the Baltic republics. The first official between countries matches Polish National Teams played after the Second World War, in 1948 with Czechoslovakia. What is interesting, the women made their debut two weeks earlier than men (14th and 28th February). The greatest successes our ladies have had quite recently-in 2003 and 2005 won the European Championship. It is a special achievement, as defense of such a prestigious title was not successful in any other National Team in the history of Polish team games. In 2009, Poland for the first time in history has hosted the European championship. Women European Championships- held in four Polish cities, were considered the best in history, and Polish National Team won bronze medal. Previous valuable results Women National Team reached several years earlier- two bronze Olympic medals (1964 and 1968), silver medal (1952) and two World Championship bronze medals (1956 and 1962), as well as 4 silver European Championship medals (1950, 1951, 1963 and 1967) and 4 bronze European Championship rings (1949, 1955, 1958 and 1971).

Men Polish National team was the best in the world in the 70s the last century, winning World Championship 1974 in Mexico and Olympic Games in 1976 in Montreal. Furthermore, Men National Team five times obtained title of the European Vice-Championship (1975, 1977, 1979, 1981 and 1983). In 2006 they also won World Vice-Championship title and in 2009 under the leadership of Daniel Castellani for the first time in history won European Championship. In addition, since 1998 Polish National team takes part in prestigious World League matches in which advanced to the finals four times (2001, 2002, 2005, 2007).

The excellent results are also present in Polish volleyball thanks to men's youth teams that twice won the World Junior Championship (1997 and 2003) and Cadet European Championship (2005).

Over the last decade Polish Volleyball Federation played a leading role in increasing the popularity of discipline, mainly through the understanding and appreciation of the importance of involving the media and sponsors. Since 1997 Polish Volleyball Federation turns out to be an active, proven, full-fledged member of European and world volleyball family by taking over the organization of several international events, starting from Junior World Championships, European Championships of Cadets (boys and girls), Olympic Games Qualification Tournament and World Championship Qualification Tournament, Champions League Final Four men and women, the World League finals and Senior European Championships. What is more, every year Poland hosts a SWATCH-FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour Tournament.

The current President of the Polish Volleyball Federation: Mirosław Przedpełski (since 2004).

Presidents of the Polish Volleyball Federation:

June-December, 1957 Eugeniusz Krotkiewicz
1957-1969 Tadeusz Brzósko
1969-1971 Zygmunt Najdowski
1971-1978 Stanisław Romański
1978-1988 Tadeusz Sąsara
1988-2001 Eryk Ippohorski-Lenkiewicz
2001-2004 Janusz Biesiada
Since 2004 Mirosław Przedpełski