Volleyball
Poland’s Volleyball icon Glinka discusses her future… off the Volleyball court?
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Article Thu, Aug 13 2015
Luxembourg, August 13, 2015. The news made the headlines and caused quite a turmoil a few days ago as it was announced that Poland’s Volleyball icon Malgorzata Glinka-Mogentale did not sign an extension of her contract with the country’s reigning national champions Chemik POLICE.
“Well, such decisions are not taken overnight,” Malgorzata explains, “and everyone in the club knew I wanted to take a break in order to make up my mind as they were aware I have been planning to retire from competitive sport. We had agreed on such terms by the end of the season and I had informed the management there that I would use these months to think it over and decide what is next. Actually, I still haven’t really announced that I am retiring from competitive sport; what is true is that I am not ready to start with the preparations for the coming season now, it has been so many busy and hectic years that at some time you feel like you are not willing to do this anymore. However, I have also informed the team that maybe at some point during the season, if they need any help, I may be able to come back. Volleyball has been so important in my life that it is not easy to stop playing once and for all. You also have to find your way in life, which means you have to find something that can replace the major role that Volleyball has played for so many years.”
Glinka is not only a Volleyball icon in Poland, she actually left her mark in each one of the many countries she has lived in throughout her career. “Such experiences make you a better person, especially because you have to get used to adjust to different circumstances, and you are exposed to different cultures, traditions, you have to learn foreign languages, etc. It really changes your personality and as a result I think I have matured both as a woman and as a player. Now I do not panic too quickly anymore and can stand stressful situations with a clear mind, and this applies to sport as well as to everyday life,” she recounts. “There is definitely a legacy which comes from touring the world: I have got many friends and met some great people and these bonds are going to last forever,” she admits with a reference to her Italian-born husband Roberto Mogentale.
Glinka, who back in 2013 received the Lifetime Award at the European Volleyball Gala held in Vienna, came back to competitive sport a few years ago after having a baby, an experience that changed her as a player and as a woman at the same time. “I took a little longer break than other players did, so I had the time to get back in shape and did not rush at all. Of course, life changes when you have children but this is the greatest life experience a woman can get. So I can only recommend my fellow Volleyball players to do the same and hopefully I will have the chance to enlarge my family in the future, this is also part of my plans and wishes.”
When it comes to her future, Glinka has not made up her mind yet: “Of course it is difficult to find your way but I am hoping for the best. I would like to find something which gives me at least half the happiness and satisfaction I got from playing Volleyball for so many years, that would be perfect. I would like to stay in the sport but it all depends on the opportunities I will get along the way. However, I can definitely rule out a coaching career; I am not going to be a second Lang Ping,” she says and starts laughing. “I would like to open a Volleyball school here in Poland as I think I have a good eye and would quite easily scout young girls who have the potential to become the next generation of national team players. I would pass on my experience and my knowledge, so this is definitely one of the projects I would like to pursue.”
Questioned about what makes Volleyball so popular in Poland, Glinka says: “I think it all comes from the success of our national teams. We won two European gold medals in 2003 and 2005, and already after our first success we drew a lot of attention from media and fans alike. Unfortunately the women’s national team hasn’t made it to the very top lately but on the other hand the men have been extremely successful winning European gold in 2009 and a historic home World Championship last year. So, the passion and attention comes from the success that the fans are sharing with our teams. At the same time, we do not suffer the same competition that Volleyball has to face in other countries like Spain or Italy where soccer is draining so much money and attention, and as a Volleyball player, I think we can be very happy with this.”
She hasn’t officially bid farewell to competitive sport yet and, who knows, maybe fans will once more get the chance to cheer her on, but ‘Maggie’ is definitely one of a kind and will remain so also off the court and in her ‘second life’ still to come…
“Well, such decisions are not taken overnight,” Malgorzata explains, “and everyone in the club knew I wanted to take a break in order to make up my mind as they were aware I have been planning to retire from competitive sport. We had agreed on such terms by the end of the season and I had informed the management there that I would use these months to think it over and decide what is next. Actually, I still haven’t really announced that I am retiring from competitive sport; what is true is that I am not ready to start with the preparations for the coming season now, it has been so many busy and hectic years that at some time you feel like you are not willing to do this anymore. However, I have also informed the team that maybe at some point during the season, if they need any help, I may be able to come back. Volleyball has been so important in my life that it is not easy to stop playing once and for all. You also have to find your way in life, which means you have to find something that can replace the major role that Volleyball has played for so many years.”
Glinka is not only a Volleyball icon in Poland, she actually left her mark in each one of the many countries she has lived in throughout her career. “Such experiences make you a better person, especially because you have to get used to adjust to different circumstances, and you are exposed to different cultures, traditions, you have to learn foreign languages, etc. It really changes your personality and as a result I think I have matured both as a woman and as a player. Now I do not panic too quickly anymore and can stand stressful situations with a clear mind, and this applies to sport as well as to everyday life,” she recounts. “There is definitely a legacy which comes from touring the world: I have got many friends and met some great people and these bonds are going to last forever,” she admits with a reference to her Italian-born husband Roberto Mogentale.
Glinka, who back in 2013 received the Lifetime Award at the European Volleyball Gala held in Vienna, came back to competitive sport a few years ago after having a baby, an experience that changed her as a player and as a woman at the same time. “I took a little longer break than other players did, so I had the time to get back in shape and did not rush at all. Of course, life changes when you have children but this is the greatest life experience a woman can get. So I can only recommend my fellow Volleyball players to do the same and hopefully I will have the chance to enlarge my family in the future, this is also part of my plans and wishes.”
When it comes to her future, Glinka has not made up her mind yet: “Of course it is difficult to find your way but I am hoping for the best. I would like to find something which gives me at least half the happiness and satisfaction I got from playing Volleyball for so many years, that would be perfect. I would like to stay in the sport but it all depends on the opportunities I will get along the way. However, I can definitely rule out a coaching career; I am not going to be a second Lang Ping,” she says and starts laughing. “I would like to open a Volleyball school here in Poland as I think I have a good eye and would quite easily scout young girls who have the potential to become the next generation of national team players. I would pass on my experience and my knowledge, so this is definitely one of the projects I would like to pursue.”
Questioned about what makes Volleyball so popular in Poland, Glinka says: “I think it all comes from the success of our national teams. We won two European gold medals in 2003 and 2005, and already after our first success we drew a lot of attention from media and fans alike. Unfortunately the women’s national team hasn’t made it to the very top lately but on the other hand the men have been extremely successful winning European gold in 2009 and a historic home World Championship last year. So, the passion and attention comes from the success that the fans are sharing with our teams. At the same time, we do not suffer the same competition that Volleyball has to face in other countries like Spain or Italy where soccer is draining so much money and attention, and as a Volleyball player, I think we can be very happy with this.”
She hasn’t officially bid farewell to competitive sport yet and, who knows, maybe fans will once more get the chance to cheer her on, but ‘Maggie’ is definitely one of a kind and will remain so also off the court and in her ‘second life’ still to come…