Wisła Kraków in Michigan: international cooperation and promotion of Kraków football

In July 2025, Wisła Kraków, through its Football Academy, hosted a training camp in Warren, Michigan, located in the Detroit metropolitan area. The initiative is being implemented in collaboration with Hoverla FC, a club for children and youth of Ukrainian descent. The sessions are led by Academy coaches Konrad Czajkowski, Łukasz Skóra, and Adrian Filipek. Piotr Truchlewski, the Academy's operations manager, also participates in the activities.

Beginning of cooperation with Hoverla FC
Relations with Hoverla FC began at the turn of 2024 and 2025. The American partner approached Wisła Kraków with a proposal to organize a summer football camp in Poland. Wisła enthusiastically accepted the offer and began preparations for the training camp scheduled for June in Krakow.

However, when it became clear that Hoverla FC would not be able to travel to Poland for formal reasons, Wisła proposed an alternative: organizing the training in the United States. The final decision to implement the project in Michigan was made in June, allowing for its smooth preparation and implementation.

From July 16 to 20, Wisła Kraków coaches are conducting an intensive training cycle for 38 young Hoverla FC players, based on the methodology and standards of the Kraków Academy.

Training that inspires
The sessions focus not only on the players' technical and tactical development, but also on shaping appropriate attitudes, educational values, and conscious participation in team play. Despite the summer holidays, the young players participate in training with great commitment.

One proof of the positive reception of Wisła Kraków's activities among children and their families is the videos of the first team's matches, which are generating considerable interest. The support of the fans during the match against Miedź Legnica was particularly impressive – just one of many factors building a fascination for the club among young footballers from across the pond.

White Eagle Warren – new contact, new opportunities
During their stay in Michigan, Wisła representatives also initiated talks with the White Eagle Warren club, represented by Wojciech Ślusarczyk, who contacted Wisła representatives. The club has a senior team, a veterans' team, and a developing youth academy.

Wisła's coaches conducted joint training sessions with the younger players, as well as a demonstration training session for the senior team, led by Adrian Filipek. The meetings were primarily working sessions, but they laid a solid foundation for discussions about future collaboration.

Building Wisła Kraków's presence abroad
The Academy's international activities are part of a broader strategy to build Wisła Kraków's presence within the Polish diaspora and emigration communities. This is not only an opportunity to share knowledge and training experience, but also a chance to promote the club in new sporting environments.

" Every activity that helps build Wisła Kraków's global recognition is incredibly valuable to us, " emphasizes Konrad Czajkowski, one of the Academy's coaches. " This type of collaboration not only provides opportunities for training exchange, but also attracts new fans, who often encounter Wisła for the first time thanks to such initiatives."

Wisła Kraków plans to continue its international activities – both training and promotional – with a view to strengthening its position on the map of European and world youth football.