Poland Women target SVNS promotion after European podium finish against the odds

By Saope Soko

Poland Women’s Rugby 7s are quietly constructing a programme of genuine substance. Operating largely beyond the spotlight and without the financial backing enjoyed by many of their competitors, the Polish side have nonetheless emerged as one of Europe’s most consistent performers.

With the introduction of the new HSBC SVNS structure, their ambitions are now clearly defined.

Currently competing in SVNS Division 3, Poland are targeting promotion to Division 2 and aiming to establish themselves as a regular presence on the global Sevens circuit.

It is a challenge that demands depth, resilience and efficient use of limited resources. Yet recent performances suggest this group is well equipped to meet those demands.

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Achievement

Their progress was underlined by a second-place finish at the Rugby Europe Championship this summer, finishing behind Team GB and ahead of France.

The achievement stood out not only because of the result, but because of the circumstances in which it was delivered.

Poland finished ahead of several better-funded and longer established programmes, reinforcing their status as one of Europe’s leading emerging nations in women’s Sevens.

Across the continent, the women’s game continues to accelerate. Established unions such as France, Ireland and Great Britain have shown how sustained investment and consistent exposure can translate into success on the World Series.

At the same time, a growing number of nations are narrowing the gap. Poland’s rise fits squarely within this broader trend, offering further evidence that the European pathway is now producing genuine competitive depth beyond the traditional powers.

Global stage

While the European campaign has provided a strong platform, the true proving ground lies on the global stage.

The 2025/26 season will see Poland competing in the newly restructured HSBC SVNS 3, where every tournament carries significant weight in the promotion race.

The opening event in Dubai in January 2026 will offer an early indication of their readiness, with Poland drawn against physically demanding opposition including Argentina, Samoa and Colombia.

Poland’s Director of Rugby 7s, Chris Davies, formerly a Fiji men’s Sevens skills coach and analyst told The Rugby Paper that belief within the squad has been built through repeated exposure to elite competition over the past two seasons.

Poland were regular participants in the World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series, including events in Cape Town and Kraków, gaining invaluable experience against teams accustomed to the rigours of global travel and high-intensity tournament rugby.

Essential foundations

Cape Town in particular proved a stern examination. Competing in hot conditions against sides from Africa, the Americas and Oceania, Poland were forced to raise their physical output and sharpen their execution.

While Challenger Series results alone did not secure promotion, Davies believes those experiences laid essential foundations that are now being built upon within the national Sevens pathway.

What makes Poland’s upward trajectory especially notable is the context in which it has unfolded.

Like many emerging rugby nations, the programme operates under significant financial constraints.

Investment in women’s rugby remains limited, with restricted budgets for travel, preparation camps and specialist support staff.

Players routinely balance international commitments alongside full-time employment or study, often contributing personally to elements of their own preparation.

Disadvantage

This reality places Poland at a clear disadvantage when compared with unions that benefit from centralised contracts, extensive sports science provision and full-time training environments.

Yet those limitations have not prevented success. Instead, the programme has leaned heavily on cohesion, work ethic and clarity of purpose.

Training windows are maximised, preparation is precise, and both individual and collective development sit at the centre of the environment.

There is encouragement to be found in the wider trajectory of the women’s game.

Global interest continues to grow, with recent World Cups highlighting the sport’s increasing commercial and cultural impact.

Growth

Audiences are expanding, sponsorship opportunities are emerging and pathways are becoming clearer.

For nations like Poland, that growth represents genuine opportunity. Greater visibility on the Sevens circuit can help unlock long-term investment, inspire participation at grassroots level and strengthen domestic structures.

Success within the SVNS system would place Poland in a strong position to capitalise on that momentum.

Promotion from SVNS 3 to SVNS 2 would mark a significant milestone.

Beyond the step up in competition, it would bring increased exposure, more frequent high-level fixtures and greater leverage when pursuing sponsorship and institutional backing.

Focus

It would also provide a clearer benchmark of where Poland sit within the global Sevens landscape.

For now, the focus remains firmly on the playing group. Each tournament is treated as an opportunity to accumulate points, refine execution and test squad depth.

Poland know they cannot afford off days, but they also understand that they have already proven capable of outperforming expectations.

As Davies explains: “We understand our current level, but our focus is firmly on what comes next.

“Our ambition is to build a programme defined by sustained excellence and to compete regularly against some of the strongest teams in the world not occasionally, but consistently.”

As women’s rugby across Europe continues its upward momentum, Poland are determined to ensure they continue rising with it.

Follow Saope Soko on Instagram at saopesoko

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