Memories from the sports annals. ZKS Stalowa Wola, 1938-2018
14.09.2018-20.08.2019,
Outdoor exhibition, square next to the Inter-University Library in Stalowa Wola,
10 Popiełuszki Street
In 1938, through the efforts of a dedicated group of individuals, the Sports Club “Stalowa Wola” was established. The initiative was led by Feliks Olszak, the director of the metalworks in the South Plant and the club’s first president.
Initially, the focus was on football, which was the most popular sport at the time. There was a concerted effort to allow the team to compete in Class A, bypassing the lower divisions. The strong financial position of the factories provided a compelling argument for overcoming obstacles and maintaining a solid team.
Plans were made for a sports stadium to be built near the San River in Stalowa Wola. In the meantime, a pitch suitable for professional matches was created close to the factory gates.
The official inauguration of this sports venue took place on May 4, 1939, on St. Florian’s Day, traditionally celebrated as the holiday of metalworkers. A match was held between the youth team and a team representing the factory workers, bolstered by several players from construction and engineering firms. Among the players were former athletes and trained juniors from well-known football clubs. According to reports, the premiere did not occur on the main pitch, which was still under construction, but rather on a side field.
A group of enthusiasts, comprising tennis lovers led by Dr. Juliusz Pizło and his wife Zofia, successfully promoted the sport of tennis. Thanks to their efforts, tennis courts began to be built in the fall of 1938 on E-R Street (now Skoczyńskiego Street).
In addition to footballers and tennis players, the Stalowa Wola club also included a boxing section. Despite the lack of formal structures, there were also organized street running races and cycling competitions. Old photographs indicate the existence of a group of cyclists, including girls. The club even had a hunting circle as part of its structure.
This is how sports began to take shape in Stalowa Wola before the outbreak of war interrupted its development.
Years later, through the efforts of many dedicated individuals, the Stalowa Wola club began to flourish again, attracting more people to the stadium and halls, and achieving better sports results. For decades, it has been a source of satisfaction for athletes, joy for fans watching their performances, and a source of prestige and glory for the city.
The exhibition was prepared to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the founding of the sports club in Stalowa Wola. It does not provide a detailed account of the history of the Stal Stalowa Wola sports club; instead, it offers a collection of memories from a time that few remember today. It reminds especially the younger generation of Stalowa Wola of selected facts and figures that have become etched in the memories of older fans, spectacular feats of talented athletes, achievements of notable coaches, and intriguing sports anecdotes. Above all, it highlights the challenging beginnings, showcasing how the engagement of many enthusiasts laid the foundations of the club, erected sports facilities, honed talents, and created teams that sometimes achieved significant success.
