Józefa Ledwig (English)
Z Historia Wisły
Józefa Ledwig, née Bęben (born April 18, 1935, in Szerzyny, Lesser Poland) - a volleyball player for Wisła, two-time Olympic bronze medalist, two-time silver medalist at the European Championships, bronze medalist at the World Championships, and three-time Polish Champion.
Józefa Ledwig is one of the greatest players in the history of the volleyball section of TS Wisła. She represented the club for 12 years (1961-1972), during which she won 11 Polish Championship medals (three gold, three silver, and five bronze). From 1958 to 1970, she played in 216 matches for the Polish National Team.
She joined the Wisła team in January 1961. Her debut was not particularly impressive, but commentators remarked that she was "a player with great potential, and it is believed that once she integrates with the rest of the team, she will significantly strengthen Wisła's lineup" (Echo Krakowa). These predictions turned out to be accurate. Moreover, Józefa Ledwig quickly became a key player for the Polish National Team for many years, winning medals at the highest-ranking international tournaments and serving as the team captain.
Józefa Ledwig was awarded the Knight's Cross and the title of Distinguished Master of Sport. After retiring as a player, she continued to work in Wisła's volleyball section as an activist.
Spis treści |
Photos, Medals, Diplomas, and Other Memorabilia of Józefa Ledwig
List of Achievements with Wisła
- 1961 - Bronze medal at the Polish Championships
- 1961 - Polish Cup
- 1962 - Bronze medal at the Polish Championships
- 1963 - Bronze medal at the Polish Championships
- 1965 - Bronze medal at the Polish Championships
- 1966 - Silver medal at the Polish Championships
- 1967 - Gold medal at the Polish Championships
- 1968 - Bronze medal at the Polish Championships
- 1969 - Gold medal at the Polish Championships
- 1970 - Gold medal at the Polish Championships
- 1971 - Silver medal at the Polish Championships
- 1972 - Silver medal at the Polish Championships
List of Achievements with the National Team
- 1962 - Bronze medal at the World Championships in the USSR
- 1963 - Silver medal at the European Championships in Romania
- 1964 - Bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics
- 1967 - Silver medal at the European Championships in Turkey
- 1968 - Bronze medal at the Mexico City Olympics
Biography
Józefa Ledwig, née Bęben, was born on April 18, 1935, in Szerzyny, Lesser Poland. Her father, Jan Bęben, a master blacksmith, was a vocational teacher. Her mother, Anna, was a homemaker who took care of the household and raised the children.
Neither Józefa's parents nor her four sisters shared her passion for sports, limiting their involvement to cheering her on. Her parents expected their five daughters to "finish school, get a job, and earn their own living," so Józefa's decision to pursue sports was not met with enthusiasm, though it was ultimately accepted.
In the beginning, sports were just a fun activity for her. At the age of twelve, Józefa joined gymnastics classes at Ogniwo in Katowice. However, she was soon asked to leave because she had grown excessively tall in a short time. Reluctantly, in 1952, she began playing volleyball for Unia RSW Prasa, where she came under the guidance of her first professional coach, journalist Zbigniew Chojnacki.
A significant step in her career came in 1955 when she joined KS Baildon in Katowice. Under the mentorship of coach Nagórski, she honed her volleyball skills, while simultaneously training in athletics under coach Norbert Czepala, specializing in high jump and shot put. However, when the time came to choose between the two sports, she opted for volleyball without much hesitation.
„I had a natural pull toward volleyball. I remember coach Wierzbicki tried to convince me to play basketball. He once took me to a training session, but I didn’t like it. There was too much physical contact between players—pushing, shoving, grabbing. I never went back.”
In 1958, as a player for Baildon, Józefa was called up to Poland’s B national team, coached by Janusz Bator. A year later, she joined the first national team, led by then-Wisła coach Zbigniew Szpyt, who convinced the talented player to switch clubs. „I wanted to play volleyball in better clubs and against better teams. With Baildon, we did make it to the first league, but we were immediately relegated. That’s why I let Zbyszek Szpyt convince me, and by the fall of 1960, I was already a Wisła player. The rest of the formalities were handled by the officials from both clubs. I know that as part of the deal, Wisła’s football team played a match against Baildon, and the proceeds went to Baildon. Additionally, Baildon received five new volleyballs for me.”
When asked about the coach who left the strongest impression on her, she unhesitatingly names Stanisław Poburka. „He was the national team coach who taught me the most. Unfortunately, after Tokyo, he left to coach Mexico’s national team. After him, we had Benedykt Krysik, who led us to another Olympics and another medal. At Wisła, I also had good coaches. First, there was Szpyt, then Moszczak came for three years, and then Szpyt again.”
Józefa Ledwig recalls her time playing for the Polish national team with clear emotion. The national team not only allowed her to achieve success and see the world but also introduced her to extraordinary people who remain important in her life to this day.
„As a team, we were all great. Of course, I naturally spent more time with some teammates, if only because of room assignments during training camps. At first, I roomed with Marysia Golimowska, and then always with Krysia Czajkowska. That’s just how it worked out, but overall, we were one close-knit group.” The players from the Olympic teams in Tokyo and Mexico still meet to this day, at least once a year. And just like back then, they can still count on one another.
„It was great at Wisła too," adds Józefa. "I’m still in regular contact with Ela Porzec, and I chat on the phone with Wanda Wiecha, though a bit less often. My husband and I built a house in Zawoja, and Wandzia comes there once a year and stays for a while so we can catch up. But they were in both the national team and Wisła. With just the Wisła players, we organize an annual get-together in a restaurant or café for Easter or a Christmas wafer-sharing meeting .”
When asked to compare volleyball from the past with the present, Józefa Ledwig shared: Volleyball used to be different—different rules, a different style of play, slower. For example, you couldn’t reach over the net or serve after the ball touched the net. Games were played to fifteen points. Now, it’s definitely more exciting, more dynamic, faster. I often watch volleyball because I enjoy it; it still brings me joy. If we compare my era to today, all sports have changed without exception. The most significant difference, however, is that back then, we didn’t play for money. Only national team players received symbolic compensation. Clubs and the Polish Volleyball Federation covered what the girls lost in wages due to their absence from work. We played for pleasure, for satisfaction, for ourselves, for the country, and for the club—money wasn’t even a consideration. Being called up to the Polish National Team was a great honor, a dream for everyone training. Everyone worked as hard as possible to earn the chance to play for Poland.”
Józefa Ledwig was known as a hardworking, consistent, and tough player. „I certainly didn’t slack off during training,” - she recalled. On the court, she was a leading figure, capable of adapting to any position, although she seemed to thrive most in attack. Back then, A players were setters, B players were versatile—they received, defended, and attacked, while C players primarily defended but also attacked. I was a B.
After the Mexico Olympics, most of the national team players retired, but the Polish Volleyball Federation didn’t let Józefa leave so easily. A delegation came to Kraków and successfully convinced her to play for another year. During that time, she also served as the captain of the Polish National Team. Altogether, between 1959 and 1970, she played in 116 matches for the Red and Whites.
TOKIO
"In Tokyo, we lived in a four-story building—just women, representatives from various countries. Men were not allowed inside. The building was tightly fenced and heavily guarded. The Olympic Village itself was very large, and the men lived in multi-story houses. They were not allowed to visit us, but we could visit them whenever we wanted. Within the village, we got around on bicycles, which were available in large numbers for the Olympians. You could take a bike from one spot and leave it at another. We often rode to the international center, where we listened to music and admired various performances. If we left the village, for example, to go shopping, it was usually in groups to avoid getting lost. We were looked after by a delegate from the Polish Embassy in Japan, most often a woman. As for interactions with athletes from other countries, it was hard to communicate, so we mostly stayed within the Polish group.”
"Before the Olympics, it was clear that the Russians and the Japanese were out of reach. And indeed, the Japanese won everything, though we sensationally managed to take one set off them. Even the Russians lost to them 3:0. And it wasn’t about the home advantage; they were genuinely the best. They trained in ways that were then unknown in Europe. The rest of the teams competed for the bronze. And we succeeded. Back then, everyone played against everyone—there were no eliminations. That medal, as it turned out, was easier to win than in Mexico, where eight teams competed, while in Japan, it was six for the last time.".
MEKSYK
"In Mexico, we lived in a ten-story tower, and the volleyball players had their own floor. Women, just like in Tokyo, were isolated and heavily guarded. Visits from male colleagues were not allowed, but we could visit them without any restrictions. In Mexico, we were looked after by Mrs. Renia, who was of Polish descent. We got along very well and stayed in touch for a long time afterward. I gave her my little hat, which was part of the official uniform, because she liked it so much. The Mexican volleyball players also became very fond of us. One of them, Luiza, gave me a silver bracelet engraved with the name 'Jozefa' as a keepsake, which was incredibly kind. We already knew the Mexicans from before, as coach Poburka brought them to Poland for a tournament before the Olympics. They stayed in Zakopane and saw snow for the first time! We organized a sleigh ride with torches, followed by refreshments at a countryside inn. They were so happy and laughed the entire time."
"In Mexico, we started on October 13 by defeating Korea 3:2. Barely. It was terrible. When the Koreans came out and started playing, we were completely thrown off. Before we even realized it, they were already leading 2:0. They were so fast. We couldn’t get a grip on ourselves until the coach’s yelling calmed us down, and we started playing our volleyball. We won, but barely. There was another tough match against the Mexicans, which we also won 3:2 after a lot of struggle. We lost easily to the Japanese and Russians, 3:0, but the Czechs, Peruvians, and Americans were easy to beat, and it was enough for the bronze."
From high-level international tournaments, Józefa Ledwig brought home five medals, though unfortunately, she never managed to win gold. It wasn’t easy to achieve gold at the national level either. She won her first gold with Wisła in 1967, in her seventh year of playing at Reymonta. To celebrate the club’s second championship title, the volleyball players burned coach Szpyt’s hat in front of the hall’s entrance, and each of them had to jump over the fire. Additionally, the club organized a reception for us. We were given awards. We received foldable checkered fabric suitcases—very nice and handy, perfect for match trips. At that time, there were no medals for championships; they only gave out diplomas, and the club received a trophy. It wasn’t much better with the national team. After Mexico, we got $216 to divide among the entire team and the coach. I bought a silver necklace with a brooch and an Aztec calendar as a souvenir."
Gallery
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 Olympians 1968 |
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 With Zbigniew Lech |
Poetry Corner
| „ | Na Józefę L.
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| — Dariusz Zastawny, Stuletnia nasza historia, czyli Wisła Kraków, Biała Gwiazda w słów orszaku i obrazkach | ||
See also:
- A. Gowarzewski, Kolekcja Klubów - Wisła, wyd. GiA, Katowice 1996, str. 204
In Tokyo, we were the only team to take a set off the Japanese, who were the best in the world at the time. I remember that the Emperor and his family were present at the match. It was clear that the USSR and Japan were out of reach. We won against the Romanians and secured a medal. I was recovering from an injury—a sprained ankle—so in the first matches, coach Poburka only let me play as a substitute. Later, as my leg improved, I played more often in the starting six. We didn’t receive anything for the bronze medal. That’s just how things were back then. After Mexico, there was a bonus—they divided... 216 dollars among the entire team and coach Krysik. I bought a silver necklace with a brooch and an Aztec calendar as a keepsake, and I still wear it to this day. The second medal, in Mexico, was harder to win than the one in Tokyo. The Russians and Japanese were once again unbeatable, but the other opponents turned out to be very strong—Americans, Czechs, Peruvians, Mexicans, and Koreans. The Koreans gave us the most trouble. Thanks to volleyball, I got to see the world and made many friends. The girls from our Olympic team share a deep bond of friendship. We’ve been meeting almost every year for the past ten years, and we can count on each other in any situation.
Gazeta Krakowska. 1964, nr 81 (6 IV) nr 4918
Wisła volleyball player Józefa Ledwig was awarded the "Master of Sport" badge by GKKFiT for her multiple representations of Poland and her achievements on the international stage. Representatives of KOZPS and the TS Wisła club congratulated her and presented bouquets of flowers to this remarkable athlete before a league match against Drukarz. We join in extending our congratulations.
Gazeta Krakowska. 1967, nr 1 (2 I) nr 5868
Józefa Ledwig’s Japanese Fate
The Japanese fate of Mrs. Ledwig is quite a pleasant one. The Land of the Rising Sun has hosted Wisła volleyball player and Polish representative Józefa Ledwig twice already. A distant and exhausting journey, but who wouldn’t want to spend a few weeks in Japan? And regularly, every few years. It all started with the appearance of the Polish women’s volleyball team in 1962, then the trip to the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo, and again in January 1967— the World Championships in Japan. So, Japan for the third time. Please tell us about your exotic trips.
In 1962, we spent two wonderful weeks in Japan. We flew on the route Warsaw – Paris – Hamburg – Alaska – Tokyo, and on the way back, we flew via India. Thirty-six hours in the air.
We stayed in a traditional Japanese-style hotel.
We slept on mats, wore kimonos, and had slippers on our feet. For lunch, they served dozens of dishes, and I would pick the simplest ones, washing them down with excellent bitter green tea. An orchestra played, but no one danced.
I went to the opera, a five-hour performance. On stage were only men. If a female role was required, it was played by a man in costume. The actors were vocally excellent, with stunning decorations and costumes, but it was hard to sit through five hours. Since I didn’t know Japanese, the opera was incomprehensible and exhausting for me.
We played four matches in Japan and lost them all, 3:0.
Taking even a single set off the fantastically playing Japanese team was beyond our capabilities. Every match had a packed audience. I had never encountered such a cultured audience in any other country.
During the action—complete silence, and when the ball hit the floor—roars of applause.
What was it like at the Tokyo Olympics?
First and foremost, the emotions were immense.
The opening ceremony, the individual competitions, the solemn atmosphere—it all left unforgettable memories. I was captivated by this greatest celebration of sport in the world. The World or European Championships have a much smaller stature.
The volleyball tournament brought great success for our team—a bronze medal. It’s so easy to say—an Olympic bronze medal. Many athletes compete for years without ever reaching such a moment. We won the match for third place against Romania 3:0.
We became a true sensation of the Olympic tournament by “stealing” a set from the unbeatable Japanese team.
The local press widely commented on this event, showering us with praise.
I didn’t have much time to explore Tokyo or enjoy entertainment. Most of my free time was spent in the Olympic Village. There was a well-equipped club, televisions, and other activities. The ambition of most players was... to get a bicycle to ride around the Olympic Village.
It was the trend. Sometimes, we almost had accidents, but we rode boldly nonetheless.
In a few days, you’ll embark on a “new Japanese adventure”?
Yes. There were some issues with the location of the World Championships. In the end, it was decided—January 1967, Japan. I’m part of the team, my form seems decent, so for the third time, I’ll meet the charming Japanese, and for the third time, I’ll experience my “Japanese fate.”
I would be very happy if my club colleagues Porzec and Wiecha could join as representatives of the country on this exciting journey. It would give us a chance to share Kraków memories upon our return.
What do you think about Mexico?
I started playing volleyball in 1954. However, my true sports career began in 1958— when I joined the national team. The Olympics in Mexico will take place in 1968— marking the tenth anniversary of my time in the Polish national team.
I would love to celebrate this “jubilee” in Mexico...
Is there a chance to repeat Wisła’s success from 1959?
It’s not easy for a single player to answer this question. A team’s success depends on the performance of the entire group. In 1959, we won the Polish Championship title. I think we are capable of reaching the top national trophy this season. In terms of skill, we’re not inferior to other teams, though sometimes the team struggles with mental resilience.
We conclude our conversation with Józefa Ledwig, Distinguished Master of Sport. We thank her for sharing her memories of her Japanese trips and look forward to further discussions after Wisła’s volleyball player returns from Japan and... Mexico.
Echo Krakowa. 1968, nr 268 (14 XI) nr 7227
If all our volleyball players are as kind and charming as Ms. Józefa LEDWIG, it’s no wonder they won the hearts of the passionate Mexicans. They were unanimously recognized as the most beautiful girls of the Games, and on top of that, they played for a medal! "It didn’t come easily," says Ms. Józefa. "Before we secured the Olympic bronze, we had to fight through several tough matches. And the memory of our first game against South Korea, where we saved five match points, still sends chills down my spine!"
— Which of the last two Olympics left a greater impression on you? : — Organizationally—the Tokyo Olympics. Everything worked like clockwork there. In Mexico, the answer to everything was 'mañana'—tomorrow. But they hosted us warmly, with true southern hospitality. Apart from the mentioned Olympics, you also participated in the World Championships in Rio de Janeiro and Moscow, as well as the European Championships in Constanța and Izmir.
- You are therefore an experienced player. Please tell us, is volleyball a difficult sport? — Very. You have to be well-trained, physically fit, and practice a lot. There isn’t much time left for yourself. Then again, every professional sport requires hard work and sacrifices.
I fondly remember the times when I practiced athletics in Baildon, Katowice, purely for fun. Later, I fell in love with volleyball.
And now you’ll have to finish..., — My conversation with you? — No, my time with the national team. I’ve played for ten years without a break—that’s enough. The best moment to leave is after an Olympic success. You have to be realistic, make a 'manly' decision, and leave behind a good impression. Someone once told me there are three types of goodbyes: joyful ones, like with your mother-in-law; pleasant ones, like with a volume of Przyboś’s poetry; and sad ones, like with a beloved athlete—in this case, with you.
— Well, I’ll still play a bit in Wisła’s club team...
— So, not all is lost? On behalf of the fans, thank you! Interview by: Ślusarczyk
Gazeta Krakowska. 1972, nr 252 (23 X) nr 7667
Farewell to Volleyball
I can’t get used to the thought that we will no longer applaud her on the court—those moments when she would send the ball over the net with incredible power to the opponent’s side, jump to block, receive powerful shots, or serve with precision.
Józefa Ledwig left the volleyball court in full sporting glory. A few days ago, she was bid farewell by the management of GTS “Wisła,” section officials, teammates, and coaches.
Flowers, words of recognition, and tears of emotion accompanied this deeply touching moment.
It is often said that one must know when to step away from sports. But can these words apply to Ms. Józefa? Not so long ago—just two years ago—the Wisła volleyball player was successfully representing Poland as the team captain. In her club, as she refers to Wisła, she was the backbone of the team, a player who played with extraordinary dedication and heart. It was she who, with her commitment, behavior on the court, and will to fight, often inspired her teammates to achieve great victories and successes that became part of the glorious history of the club and Polish volleyball.
Józefa Ledwig, like many of her colleagues, encountered sports early in life.
In school, she practiced gymnastics and athletics, achieving considerable success in these disciplines. A tall, well-rounded athlete, she was noticed one day by coach Zbigniew Nagórski from Baildon, who almost forcibly brought her into the club. In a short time, the coach “assembled” a strong women’s volleyball team that later played in the first league. Ms. Józefa stood out in this team. In 1958, the Baildon player, distinguished by her exceptional athletic qualities, joined the national team. However, she spent quite a bit of time on the bench before finally playing in a real international match. It was in Łódź, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Polish Volleyball Federation. She remembers it as if it were yesterday. The tournament featured excellent teams from Russia and Czechoslovakia.
Debuting in the national team in her white-and-red tracksuit, she was full of nerves. She fully joined the team in 1959 and played continuously until 1969.
In the display case of sports memorabilia in her apartment, the Olympic bronze medals from Tokyo and Mexico are prominently displayed. These are her most valuable trophies, alongside a bronze medal from the World Championships in Moscow, silver medals from the European Championships in Constanța and Izmir, and diplomas for Polish championships and runners-up titles. In a case are the Gold Cross of Merit, the Bronze Cross of Merit named after Janka Krasicki, medals for outstanding sports achievements, and badges for Master and Distinguished Master of Sport. There wasn’t enough room for many other precious souvenirs that Ms. Józefa brought back from her numerous trips to various countries in Europe and the world.
I browse through thick albums full of photos. The history of those glorious days comes alive in them. The photos from the Tokyo Olympics inevitably bring back personal memories for me, when, along with a handful of Polish journalists and fans, we cheered on our ladies, celebrating their success and bronze medal together. The story of this phenomenal volleyball player’s career and achievements is also captured in yellowed press clippings pasted into a thick scrapbook. I read one of them. “Gazeta Krakowska” from 1967, in an article titled “The Japanese Fate of Józefa Ledwig,” writes with undisguised regret that due to Poland’s withdrawal from the Women’s Volleyball World Championships, J. Ledwig would not be able to visit the Land of the Rising Sun for the third time. But then there were other journeys, illuminated by fame and success.
All of these memories live deeply in the consciousness of this renowned athlete, who describes them in great detail, illustrating everything with photos and memorabilia. It would certainly be worth documenting these memories, leaving behind a record of those beautiful and moving days.
For 12 years, Józefa Ledwig was associated with “Wisła.” During those years, the club, its officials, and coach Zbigniew Szpyt supported her with advice and assistance. Those 12 years were an uninterrupted series of victories under the Wisła net, in which this player played a significant role with her remarkable composure, determination in battle, and love of the sport to which she dedicated herself completely.
As Ms. Józefa told me, it is now time to fill the gap created by the sport, grueling training, and numerous trips to matches and tournaments. It’s time for professional work and filling her days with theater, cinema, entertainment, and organizing her numerous souvenirs, collections of stamps, and sports memorabilia.
And sports? It’s hard to part with volleyball. After some reflection and rest, Ms. Józefa will probably return to the sports hall. Certainly, though, in a different capacity than before. She has already had the opportunity to demonstrate her sports and pedagogical skills during several training camps.
Volleyball, such a beautiful and spectacular sport, has not only many fans in our country but also passionate enthusiasts. It is making its way into schools, neighborhood courts, and village fields. Józefa Ledwig can and should remain not only a shining example for it but also an inspiration.
(RM)
Gazeta Krakowska. 1986, nr 93 (21 IV) = nr 11584
Józefa Ledwig was one of the best Polish volleyball players of the 1960s. She began playing volleyball in 1952 with Katowice's Unia. Three years later, she joined Baildon. She was the backbone of the team, and it was largely thanks to her that the team climbed through the ranks of competition, first advancing to the second league and then to the top division. Józefa Ledwig's performance began to draw the attention of national team coaches.
She was first called up to Poland's second national team, and after a few months, she advanced to the first team. Baildon had a brief stint in the top division, but after being relegated to the second league, Józefa Ledwig decided to change clubs. At the suggestion of national team coach Zbigniew Szpyt, she moved to Wisła in Kraków. Throughout her career, she played many matches where medals for the Polish Championships, World Championships, and the Olympics were at stake. However, she remembers her first match for "White Star" in 1960 the most vividly. By then, she was already a well-known player. She debuted in a match against AZS Warsaw and wanted to make a good impression on the Kraków audience. But it was embarrassing! Perhaps nerves or a lack of coordination with her teammates caused her to play poorly and perform far below her potential. Of course, there were tears.
Later, things got much better.
Józefa Ledwig played for Wisła for 12 years, and with the exception of one season, Kraków's team always won a medal in the Polish Championships, taking the title of the best team in the country three times.
In the 1960s, Poland had a strong national women’s volleyball team, with Józefa Ledwig as one of its stars. The Olympics left the biggest impression on her from her international appearances. The Games always have a unique atmosphere. Even the opening ceremony—colorful, solemn, and grand—offers unforgettable experiences. And then there are the sporting emotions.
Józefa Ledwig participated in the Olympic tournament twice. The first time was in Tokyo in 1964. Expectations for the Polish team were high, and they did not disappoint. They only lost to the European champions—the Russians—and the world champions—the Japanese, who were unbeatable in Tokyo and convincingly won the Olympic title. However, it was in the match against the Japanese that the Polish team played perhaps its best match, taking one set off the Japanese—something no other team managed to do. The Polish team won the bronze medal. Four years later, Józefa Ledwig went to the Olympics in Mexico.
Once again, the Russians and Japanese were out of reach for the Polish team.
In the match for the bronze medal, they faced South Korea.
The Polish team started poorly, losing two sets to none, and it seemed they would return without a medal. Then the roles reversed. The Polish team managed to rally, played increasingly better, and won 3:2. Józefa Ledwig returned from Mexico with her second Olympic medal, another bronze.
These weren’t Józefa Ledwig’s only international successes.
With the Polish national team, she won two bronze medals in the World Championships and two silver medals in the European Championships. The 1962 World Championships in Moscow were particularly intense for her. The Polish team fought against East Germany for third place. To win the bronze medal and secure a spot in the Tokyo Olympics, they had to win 3:0 in sets. It wasn’t easy. The outcome of each set was decided on the very last points.
The Germans were evenly matched with the Polish team and didn’t give up easily. The Polish players won 3:0, earning the bronze medal and their Olympic passports.
In total, Józefa Ledwig played for the national team for 11 years, appearing in 217 matches. In 1972, she retired from her sports career and withdrew entirely from the world of sports. She gave birth to a daughter and a son, dedicating her time to her family. But after 13 years, she returned to sports and to Wisła. She became the manager of the club's first women's volleyball team. Her duties are primarily organizational, but she also provides coaching advice, which coach M. Zawartka appreciates.
How has volleyball changed over the last 20 years? "A lot," says Józefa Ledwig.
— The style of play has changed a bit, the rules have changed a bit, but most importantly, the social conditions for players have improved.
When I played, we all worked in the mornings and only spent our free time on sports. I received a few hundred złoty—including national team allowances—for food, but these were symbolic amounts.”.
Ms. Józefa hasn’t completely parted with volleyball. Once a week, she meets with her former teammates in Wisła’s hall, with whom she used to play not so long ago. They compete fiercely under the net, though now it’s not for league points but for their own enjoyment. It’s also possible that in a few years, another player with the name Ledwig will appear on Wisła’s team. Józefa’s daughter has been training at Wisła for some time and intends to follow in the footsteps of her accomplished mother.
TADEUSZ GÓRSKI
