PZPN

"By handing over a cheque for the creation of a multifunctional National Centre for Football Training, Research and Coaching, we are launching a fundamental investment within the framework of the programme of investments of particular importance for sport. Today, as a country, we are at a stage of development that allows us to implement the most ambitious sports projects. We need Polish athletes, including representatives of the world's most popular team game, to be able to hone their skills at world-class facilities within our country. As early as 2027, all national teams, coaches and referees will be able to train at the absolute top facility in the world," said Kamil Bortniczuk, Minister of Sport and Tourism.

"National teams should have their own 'home'. The establishment of this centre will be a key investment for us. It will ensure the optimal level of development of female and male football players, and the discipline as a whole, allowing us to join the best European federations," said Cezary Kulesza, President of the Polish Football Association.

The project involves the creation of a multifunctional National Centre for Football Training, Research and Coaching, which is a strategic investment in the context of further development of football in Poland at various levels, from youth national teams, through research and implementation of innovative methods and technologies, training of referees and coaches, to organisation of international qualification tournaments (including futsal, beach football, e-sports and teqball). The planned investment is expected to support the development of sports, the education of coaches and referees, the improvement of players, and will also take into account the needs of people with disabilities, thus promoting football and physical activity.

The National Centre for Football Training, Research and Coaching, located on a 12ha site in Otwock is to include eight pitches with grass surfaces, as well as a covered pitch (sports hall). The plans also include a futsal hall, two beach football pitches (one covered), a medical centre and an equipment warehouse. The project also includes an administration and education building with an underground garage, a hotel and a dormitory for players for training at the Sports Championship School.

"The creation of a national centre is a necessary condition to be able to realistically think about regular competition for the most prestigious trophies in football. Last season, three of our national teams advanced to the final tournaments of the European Youth Championships, which had never happened before in a single year. Infrastructural development will certainly contribute to making such situations not the exception, but the norm," said the President of the Polish Football Association.

"A state-of-the-art training centre, dedicated to all of Poland's national football teams, will permanently solve many organisational issues, while guaranteeing the standard necessary to improve individual and team skills. In such a unique place in Europe, Polish national teams will be provided ideal conditions for training during training camps," emphasised Łukasz Wachowski, Secretary General of the Polish Football Association.

The activities of the National Centre for Football Training, Research and Coaching will be based on a comprehensive educational and sports facility management model, including several key elements. Firstly, it will act as a training centre serving all Polish national football teams - men's (A, U-21, U-20, U-19, U-18, U-17, U-16, U-15) and women's (A, U-19, U-17, U-15), Polish national futsal teams (A, U-19, A-women), as well as Polish national beach football teams (A, U-21). The training of coaches and referees will also take place in Otwock (School for Coaches of the Polish Football Association and Referee and VAR Training Centre). The modern facility will also be used to organise training events of the Polish Football Association.

In addition, the National Centre for Football Training, Research and Coaching will host UEFA and FIFA qualifying tournaments in the U-17 and U-19 age categories, as well as national and macro-regional tournaments.

The National Centre for Football Training, Research and Coaching will also conduct research on the development of football and coordinate the implementation of modern methods and solutions in the area of sports training. "The combination of training and research functions will certainly bring benefits not only for Polish football, but for the entire sport in our country. Creating one of the most modern and best centres in Europe will give us the opportunity to make optimal use of the skills of professionals working with national teams," added the Secretary General of the Polish Football Association.

Construction of the National Centre for Football Training, Research and Coaching will begin in 2024, with completion scheduled for 2027. The investment is worth more than PLN 400 mln.