At the age of 29, Anna Raczkowska is more than just the youngest head coach in Poland. She is one of the most successful coaches as well. She has ten League Championships titles including four in a coaching role. Besides, she is a football coach with UEFA license and an active floorball player. We talked with Anna about her new role in the Polish U19 Women’s Team and the upcoming months.
Congratulations! You are the youngest head coach in the history of Polish (and perhaps international) floorball and the first woman in this position in Poland. What kind of feeling is it?
– Taking over this function is a great honour for me. I always set goals for myself as a player, teacher or coach and being the national team coach was one of them. I am very glad that I got a credit of trust and I have a chance to work in this position.
Looking from the perspective of the coaching path, it is a very big distinction. At the same time, there is a great challenge ahead of your staff, because it is less than eight months to the U19 World Floorball Championships. What’s your plan?
– From the perspective of the upcoming World Championships, we must act quickly, but the plan is long-term. Currently, we will focus all our energy on the next event, creating the ground for further action and implementation of our vision of the functioning of the representation.
Despite your young age, you already have a lot of success as a trainer. Do you feel pressured for the upcoming Worlds or are you taking it easy and focusing on the long-term result?
– Pressure in sports is inherent. If it stimulates you to act and has a positive effect, then it is worth taking advantage of it and this is the aspect I approach to it. Expectations are always high in the face of representation, which is why we set high goals for ourselves, bearing in mind our organisational and personnel capabilities. When starting our work, we will try to do as much as possible with the time ahead.
Can you count on the Polish U19 team to threaten the big four (TOP 4) at the next Championships or the one after?
– We would love to compete with the so-called “top 4”. We have hard work ahead of us, many challenges and sacrifices.
What do you think is the biggest difference between training club teams and working with the Polish national team?
– I see it this way: in the club you work from scratch, you teach everything, having frequent contact with players. In the national team, you make a so-called selection, you choose players who have the tactical, technical and mental skills that you think are appropriate. So you create a completely new team from different clubs with a view to playing at the highest level. You analyse and work in such a way as to properly select units that will create a monolith, working for a common goal, and will represent your country with pride and commitment.
In addition to working at school, you also combine work in a club with playing in the highest Polish league. How do you do it? Will any of your previous responsibilities fall by the wayside?
– I try to arrange all the blocks so that they fit together. I gather training experience from various sides. As for interesting facts, I am also a trainer at the football academy. I will do my best not to neglect any duties, but I will not give a guarantee, I am only a human 😉 and taking up the staff is something new for me and only time will tell if I can handle everything.
What do you think should be done to encourage women to occupy positions in training staffs?
– Maybe it is enough for women to simply offer it? Unfortunately, they are still not considered the first choice.
Finally, what do you want us to wish for you?
– Calm, reasonable work, persistence in action and a bit of luck.
