Filie TS Wisła (English)

Z Historia Wisły

In the pre-war period Wisła Kraków developed a network of branches located outside of Krakow, in smaller cities and towns of southern Poland.

The poster for Days of Sports Propaganda in the Countryside in Rząska, 1937
The poster for Days of Sports Propaganda in the Countryside in Rząska, 1937

It started modestly with the establishment of the skiing section of TS Wisła in the capital of the Polish Tatra Mountains - Zakopane. It was the year 1926. The organizational and sporting success of Wisła in Zakopane led to the formation of several branch sections in the following years in Nowy Targ, Poronin, Bukowina Tatrzańska, and Szczawnica. Naturally, these branches mainly focused on winter sports. They enjoyed significant autonomy within TS Wisła and even had their own football teams in the 1930s. The number of Wisła athletes practicing sports in the Podhale region quickly surpassed that of competing sports associations and organizations. Soon after the increase in quantity, quality followed, measured by medals won at top-level sporting events.

A successful experiment prompted the authorities of Wisła to repeat it, this time in the immediate vicinity of Kraków. This, of course, required significant effort and resources, including financial ones. It is not surprising that Wisła's activity in this field intensified only after the end of the "Great Economic Crisis" in the second half of the 1930s. It was one of the main goals of Wisła's activities during the interwar period. When asked about Wisła's program and intentions for the future, Adam Obrubański, on the occasion of the club's 30th anniversary, replied directly: "Above all, expanding the scope of 'Wisła.' Creating branches in suburban municipalities and securing a constant influx of young talent. In this way, we also take care of the suburban youth, fulfilling not only sports but also social functions." The program was ambitious. What's more important, it proved to be entirely feasible. TS Wisła, although not affluent, systematically provided care for young boys from the suburban areas near Kraków.

Years later, Andrzej Boligłowa, who was in charge of Wisła's locker room, recalled how he was approached for sports equipment by "the boys from Zabierzów, Rząski, Mogiły." It was in those suburban villages that Wisła established its branches, providing material assistance and full support to the rural youth. Wisła agreed that these rural sports organizations, which served as the foundation for future local sports clubs (LZS - Ludowe Zespoły Sportowe - Popular Sports Teams), would adopt the name and colors of Wisła - red with a white star. We can see an example of how the recruitment of young talents in Wisła Kraków took place through the case of TS Wisła in Rząska. Our club systematically organized "Days of Sports Propaganda in the Countryside," as posters placed in the suburban areas around Kraków informed. For instance, the Wisła branch in Rząska announced to youth interested in sport that "during this time, those who join TS 'Wisła' in Rząska will be exempt from any fees for the branch," and "a special instructor from Kraków will train the youth. Each new member will receive the necessary sports equipment free of charge. Championship matches and competitions for juniors are guaranteed." These were not empty words, and the development of the Wisła branches in the suburban areas near Kraków was impressive. It is enough to say that in 1939, in Class B (Kraków group), there were 3 Wisła teams: Wisła Bieżanów, Wisła Rząska, Wisła Zabierzów, and in Class C (Kraków group), there were 3 more: Wisła Bielany, Wisła Mogiła, Wisła Przegorzały.

No wonder Wisła took pride in this activity.

After the war, in such a drastically changed socio-political situation, the Wisła branches gained independence, often changing their names - an example of this is today's Kmita Zabierzów.

Interestingly, in 1990, there were serious considerations of reuniting TS Wisła in Kraków with TS Wisła in Zakopane. However, it ultimately did not happen, but the idea re-emerges from time to time.

In recent years, TS Wisła has been reconnecting with pre-war and immediate post-war traditions, as evidenced by the establishment of Wisła sports schools in places like Zabierzów and Rząska.

Incomplete list of historical Wisła branches:

  • Wisła Zakopane
  • Wisła Rząska
  • Wisła Bieżanów
  • Wisła Bielany
  • Wisła Mogiła
  • Wisła Przegorzały
  • Wisła Nowy Targ
  • Wisła Zabierzów (nowadays Kmita Zabierzów)
  • Wisła Szczawnica
  • Wisła Poronin
  • Wisła Bukowina Tatrzańska