From Recreation to Sport: How cheerleading in Poland has evolved from stereotypes to a professional sport.

Just over a decade ago, cheerleading in Poland was associated primarily with performances during sporting events and providing entertainment at games. Today, it brings together nearly 10,000 athletes, has developed its own education and training system, organizes prestigious competitions, collaborates with international experts, and continues to strengthen its position on the global stage. How did this transformation happen?

The beginnings of cheerleading in Poland

Today, Polish cheerleading is a fully established sport with a comprehensive education system, professional clubs, and a national team achieving success on the international stage. As Honorata Włoch-Kowalczyk, coach and one of the key figures behind the development of cheerleading in Poland, emphasizes, the early days of the discipline bore little resemblance to the professional sport it has become today.

“At the beginning, it was really a mixture of different techniques. In larger cities there were already cheerleading teams, but everyone was doing something different—some used pom-poms, others performed with flags, while others incorporated ribbons. Everything was still taking shape,” she recalls.

During its early years, cheerleading functioned primarily as an entertainment element accompanying sporting events rather than as a competitive sport.

“At that time, we didn't think of it as a sports discipline. It was simply a show performed during games. We were a dance group whose role was to add excitement to basketball matches,” says Honorata Włoch-Kowalczyk, owner of HONORATA Dance Studio.

Over time, the first competition rules and regulations began to emerge, while the cheerleading community gradually organized the discipline's structure. Standardized routine lengths were introduced, along with three performance categories: short, medium, and long routines.

A major turning point came with the team's participation in the 2005 European Cheerleading Championships in Moscow.

“There we saw Europe's top teams. We were able to observe their training sessions and rehearsals. That was the moment we truly caught the cheerleading bug,” the coach explains.

Exposure to international teams and coaches, combined with further educational opportunities, enabled the standard of Polish cheerleading to improve rapidly.

“We never imagined it would develop to such an extent or that Poland would eventually reach such a high level,” she admits.

Today, the pioneers of Polish cheerleading look back with pride at the journey the discipline has taken. The scale of the transformation is particularly impressive—not only in terms of athletic performance, but also organizational development.

From a community of enthusiasts to formal structures

The establishment of the Polish Cheerleading Sports Association (PZSC) in 2018 marked one of the most significant milestones in the history of cheerleading in Poland. As recalled by its founder and current Honorary President of the PZSC, Piotr Patłaszyński, the breakthrough came when two organizations—the Polish Cheerleading Sports Association and the Polish Cheerleaders Association—which had developed cheerleading independently for many years, decided to unite.

“One organization had the formal legal status, while the other represented the majority of athletes. The day finally came when we sat down at the same table and decided to join forces.”

That decision laid the foundation for building strong organizational structures.

“As a result, we became one of the fastest-growing sports federations in Poland,” recalls Piotr Patłaszyński.

The foundations for the discipline's development, however, had been established much earlier. As Bartosz Penkala points out, the Polish Cheerleaders Association (PSCh) had been consistently building the cheerleading community and education system since the late 1980s.

“The Polish Cheerleaders Association began working to develop cheerleading as early as 1987. Through international cooperation initiated in 2005, it introduced significant changes to the education and training of coaches, athletes, and judges.”

The cooperation agreement signed between the PZSC and the PSCh in 2020 combined the expertise and experience of both organizations.

“Based on these educational systems, after 2020, under the cooperation agreement between the PZSC and the PSCh, joint educational and training projects were introduced. These initiatives enabled us to build a strong sports organization founded on proven educational materials,” says Bartosz Penkala, President of the Polish Cheerleaders Association.

For the PZSC, this marked the beginning of an intensive period of organizational development. As Piotr Patłaszyński recalls, it quickly became clear that organizing the Polish Championships alone would not be enough.

“We quickly realized that the Polish Championships alone were not sufficient. We established the Polish Cup competition system and created numerous permanent and working committees, allowing the federation to continue growing stronger.”

From foundations to strategy

Leszek Cichocki’s appointment as President of the Polish Cheerleading Sports Association (PZSC) in 2022 marked the beginning of a new stage in the federation’s development. His vision for the organization had been taking shape for nearly a decade, inspired by his visit to the ICU World Cheerleading Championships in Orlando, where he witnessed firsthand how the global cheerleading community operates. He was determined to build a similar model in Poland.

As he explains, he decided to run for president only after developing a clear and comprehensive strategy for the federation’s future.

“For years, I observed, learned, and analyzed our community while preparing a long-term development plan. Only then did I decide to run for president, with a concrete vision for the changes that needed to be implemented.”

The adopted strategy focused on the professionalization of every aspect of the federation’s activities—from expanding youth sport through the ‘Cheerleading is Sport’ program, improving the quality of national competitions, and strengthening support for clubs, to modernizing the federation’s internal structures.

“When I became president, I felt that cheerleading was not reaching its full potential. What we lacked was a unified direction for development and consistent grassroots work,” adds Cichocki.

The implementation of this strategy resulted in numerous development programs, partnerships with schools, international projects, and the gradual strengthening of cheerleading’s position within Polish sport. One of the symbolic milestones was Leszek Cichocki’s appointment to the structures of the Polish Olympic Committee.

“Above all, this represented an opportunity for the entire cheerleading community. I see my role within the Polish Olympic Committee as strengthening both the position and the credibility of cheerleading.”

Despite these achievements, Leszek Cichocki emphasizes that the process of establishing cheerleading’s position within Polish sport is still ongoing.

The scale of growth

If there is one way to demonstrate how dramatically Polish cheerleading has evolved, it is through the numbers.

Today, the Polish Cheerleading Sports Association brings together approximately 10,000 athletes representing 80 clubs from every region of Poland. Every year, additional clubs and new cities join the federation. What was once a discipline developed by a relatively small community of enthusiasts has become one of the fastest-growing youth sports in the country.

The scale of this growth is particularly evident during Poland’s largest national competitions. In 2018, approximately 250 athletes competed in the Polish Championships. Just eight years later, in 2026, that number had risen to nearly 5,400 competitors.

Participation in the Polish Cup series has grown just as impressively. During the previous season alone, competitions organized by the PZSC attracted more than 6,600 athletes.

Investing in people

The rapid increase in the number of athletes is not solely the result of expanding clubs and organizing more competitions. Equally important has been the Polish Cheerleading Sports Association’s investment in people—coaches, instructors, and judges responsible for maintaining high educational standards throughout the country.

One of the federation’s most valuable tools has been its international projects carried out under the Erasmus+ Sport Programme. Their objective has been to gain practical experience abroad and introduce into Poland the training methods and organizational solutions used by Europe’s leading cheerleading nations.

As Bartosz Penkala, National Director of Education of the PZSC and coordinator of the Erasmus+ projects, explains, the initiative involved partners from Poland, Austria, Finland, and Sweden.

“The Erasmus+ Sport Programme significantly strengthened cooperation between the partner countries. We exchanged experiences and training methodologies related to the development of sport cheerleading.”

Polish coaches were able to observe how foreign clubs operate, learn modern coaching methods and athlete development systems, and then implement those solutions within their own clubs.

“Following these exchange programmes and international mobilities, both organizational standards and approaches to athlete development reached a much higher level. Coaches established professional relationships that continue to this day, resulting in year-round international cooperation.”

According to Bartosz Penkala, the impact of this exchange of knowledge is visible not only in everyday coaching practices but also in international sporting results.

“The best evidence is the performance of the Polish National Team in international competition. We are participating in more international tournaments than ever before and consistently returning home with numerous medals.”

International cooperation has demonstrated that the development of a sport depends not only on organizing competitions or investing in infrastructure. Above all, it is the people who determine its strength and long-term success.

A spectacle at the highest level

The development of Polish cheerleading is reflected not only in the growing number of athletes and clubs but also in the quality of its competitions. Over the past several years, the Polish Cheerleading Championships and the Polish Cup series have undergone a remarkable transformation, evolving into professionally organized sporting events.

As PZSC President Leszek Cichocki explains:

“I wanted the Polish Championships and the Polish Cup events to carry the prestige of competitions that demonstrate the professionalism of our discipline from the very first impression.”

These changes have also been noticed by spectators.

“I've been attending competitions for many years, and the biggest difference is in the organization. They used to be relatively small events, but today, from the moment you walk into the venue, you feel you're taking part in a major sporting event. What impresses me the most is the number of children and young people participating. This is no longer a niche sport,” says Maria, a long-time cheerleading supporter.

For many people, events like these are now their very first introduction to cheerleading.

From participants to medalists

Just a few years ago, the Polish National Team attended major international competitions primarily to gain experience. Today, it returns home with medals. A steadily growing national team, an increasingly high standard of performance, and regular international success have enabled Poland to establish itself as a serious competitor on both the European and global cheerleading stage.

“Over the past several years, the changes have been tremendous. Today, the Polish National Team at the European Championships consists of nearly 340 athletes. We have more teams competing internationally, our performance level has improved significantly, and our routines are becoming increasingly sophisticated,” says Renata Smuda, International Judge and Captain of the Polish National Team.

International coaches working with the Polish Cheerleading Sports Association have played a crucial role in this development.

“The international coaches who come to Poland every year share an enormous amount of knowledge with our athletes. Equally important has been the opportunity for more Polish teams to compete at European and World Championships. Opening ourselves to international competition has enabled our teams to develop at an incredibly fast pace,” she emphasizes.

The results of these efforts are becoming increasingly evident.

Last year, during the World Championships in Orlando, Polish representatives won two World Championship gold medals and a European Championship silver medal. This year, they added a World Cup gold medal to their growing list of achievements.

Today, the question is no longer whether Poland is capable of competing with the world's best—it is how often Polish teams will stand on the podium.

“I truly believe we have the potential to compete regularly for medals at the world's most prestigious events. The level of competition is extremely high, but I'm convinced we will hear the Polish national anthem played many more times in the future,” adds Renata Smuda.

Just over a decade ago, such a scenario seemed like a distant dream. Today, it represents the next stage in the evolution of Polish cheerleading.

Is cheerleading a sport? The numbers speak for themselves

One of the most groundbreaking initiatives of recent years has been 'Cheerleading is Sport', an original educational program created by Leszek Cichocki. Its purpose is to demonstrate to children, parents, and teachers that cheerleading is a fully recognized competitive sport.

“The program was designed not only to promote cheerleading but also to educate children and young people, increase public awareness of the discipline, and support its development throughout Poland,” emphasizes PZSC President Leszek Cichocki.

The program has already reached 11 cities, engaging more than 8,000 participants.

Its natural continuation became the 'Cheerleading at School' initiative, whose objective is to establish specialized cheerleading classes and create a clear athlete development pathway—from school, through club participation, and ultimately to the Polish National Team.

Today, specialized cheerleading classes already operate in three Polish cities, with approximately 200 students enrolled.

One of the newest examples is Piła, where another cheerleading-focused class is scheduled to open for the 2026/2027 academic year.

Why did the school choose this direction?

“Because it combines music in its broadest sense. It embraces dance in its broadest sense. It is movement, smiles, and enjoyment for young people,” says Grzegorz Witkowski, Principal of the Sports Championship High School.

Another important element of promoting the discipline is the Polish Cheerleading Sports Association's participation in the Golden Olympian Index program, which encourages physical activity, education, and Olympic values among young people.

More than a sport – A community that became the discipline's greatest strength

Over the years, Polish sport cheerleading has developed into more than just a competitive discipline—it has become a close-knit community with its own traditions and organizational culture, now regarded as one of its greatest strengths.

Although clubs compete fiercely for top positions during competitions, they collaborate beyond the competition floor, exchange knowledge, and work together to promote the development of cheerleading throughout Poland. One symbol of this spirit is the Fair Play Cup, awarded to teams that demonstrate respect, mutual support, and the highest standards of sportsmanship.

Another distinctive tradition is the exchange of colorful hair clips among athletes. These clips have become a symbol of kindness, friendship, integration, and the lasting connections formed within the cheerleading community.

The way competitions are experienced has also evolved. Through extensive coverage on social media, fans are now able to follow not only the performances themselves but also athletes' preparations, behind-the-scenes moments, and the emotions that accompany competition. As a result, cheerleading has built an engaged community extending far beyond the sports arena and continues to reach an ever-growing audience.

The Goal: The Olympic Games

Just over a decade ago, the idea of cheerleading becoming an Olympic sport seemed like a distant dream. Today, it represents a realistic direction for the development of the international federation, while Poland is actively preparing for the moment when cheerleading may become part of the Olympic programme.

“I believe the chances are very high. We are already developing new projects and initiatives designed to strengthen our National Team,” says Leszek Cichocki, President of the Polish Cheerleading Sports Association.

As he explains, the objective is to build a National Team composed of the country's finest athletes—one capable of competing for the highest honors at the World Championships and, ultimately, at the Olympic Games.

The International Cheer Union (ICU) continues to complete the stages required by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), while the Polish cheerleading community closely follows every decision regarding the inclusion of cheerleading in the Olympic programme.

“Cheerleading is currently considered one of the strongest candidates for inclusion in the Olympic Games. Discussions are still ongoing regarding the competition format and categories that could eventually become part of the Olympic programme,” explains Cichocki.

According to the President, success will depend not only on decisions made by international governing bodies but also on the continued development of coach education, sports clubs, school-based programmes, and a strong National Team.

The future is only just beginning

Twenty years ago, Polish cheerleading was driven almost entirely by the passion of a relatively small group of coaches, athletes, and volunteers.

Today, it has grown into a sport that brings together nearly 10,000 athletes, is present in schools across the country, implements international projects, organizes events attracting thousands of participants, and celebrates success on the world's biggest stages.

For those who have helped build the federation, however, this is not the time to reflect on past achievements—it is the beginning of an entirely new chapter.

“I wouldn't like to reveal too many details just yet, but we are currently working on a new project that will become the next stage of development following our Cheerleading is Sport and Cheerleading at School programmes. It is a broader and more comprehensive initiative that combines proven solutions with new ideas,” announces Leszek Cichocki, President of the Polish Cheerleading Sports Association.

As he emphasizes, the federation's greatest priority over the coming years will be to continue strengthening two fundamental pillars: the development of the entire cheerleading community and the ongoing advancement of the Polish National Team.

Not long ago, the primary goal was to prove that cheerleading is, in fact, a sport.

Today, the question is no longer whether Polish cheerleading belongs among the world's leading nations, but how far it can go.

Considering the pace of its development in recent years, all signs suggest that the most significant chapters in the history of Polish cheerleading are still waiting to be written.

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