September 10, 2025. Katowice officially opened the first Peace Field in Poland.
It’s a unique event that combined sport, history, and memory of those who fought for values more important than winning a match.
Why Katowice?
Our city and region carry a history of courage and solidarity. In December 1981, miners from the “Uncle” coal mine defended freedom and dignity – and paid the ultimate price. Today, as we open the first Peace Field in Poland, we want this memory to accompany the younger generations – not only during history lessons, but also in daily meetings on the turf.
Katowice Peace Field was created in a special place:
where matches used to take place – on the former pitch of the “Rozwój” Sports Club,
where the story took place – at the “Uncle” mine,
and there where you can learn about it – in our school.
The project from the school was coordinated by teacher Anna Skiendziel and students: Bartek Sendra, Natalia Boba, Marcin Miklaszewski, Andrzej Zacharczuk and Paweł W amizik
The guests of honor were: Magdalena Pelc and Jan Wilk – the Zbigniew Wilk family and Ernie Brennan, the initiator of the idea of Playgrounds of Peace around the world.
We were also happy to host representatives of the City of Katowice and the Council of ds. Equal treatment and numerous journalists. Among them, they honored us with their presence, among other things. :
Krzysztof Pieczyński – Vice Chairman of the Katowice City Council
Dawid Kamiński na sportowo – Head of Sports Department
Thomas Huk – Head of the Education Department
Magdalena Skwarek – City Councilor of Katowice
Kacper Kwiecie d – Presidential Plenipotentiary for d. Youths
Tomasz Gołas – Director of Public Works economical SMEs Staszice-Uncle Movement Uncle
Beata Jon-Ozimek – publicist, journalist, collaborator of documentaries and TV reports
Anna Adamus-Matuszy Annaska – public relations specialist, professor in the Department of Market and Marketing Research of the University of Economics in Katowice and at the Film School. Christopher Kiesłowski University of Silesian.
A very special thank you to Anna Skiendziel for her vision, creativity, passion and humanitarianism.
Click here to read article below in Polish
Journalist Beata Dżon – Ozimek interviews the CFA’s Founder and CEO, Ernest Brennan.
i know Ania Skendziel, history teacher and she informed about Katowice new Field of Peace which makes me very happy. Its also my place, I know this area and its changes.
Im gonna write about this FoP idea, and Your charity organisation activity. I d like to ask You, how do You make a choices of places, regions whom You invite to this international fields gremium? The Children’s Football Alliance provide peace education through play. The Peace Field Programme delivers projects without prejudice. The CFA do not alienate any children or select locations to twin their designated area of play with Flanders Peace Field, site of the 1914 First World War Christmas truces. Flanders Peace Pitch, Mesen, Belgium, nurtures the humanitarian story of when Allied and German soldiers met in No Mans Land on Christmas Day to play games of football, share gifts and shake hands. The site of the Christmas truces has become a pilgrimage for everyday people around the world that want to pay homage to peace. There are currently 75 Peace Field Project Peace Pitches in 6 continents. All the designated areas of play (soccer, football, GAA, rugby, cricket, netball and a boxing ring) approached the Children’s Football Alliance to join the Peace Field Programme. The common circumstances that bring everyday people (mums, dads, borthers, sisters, aunts, uncles, grandparents and friends) together is the value of the importance of play. Everyone recognises that Play is a childhood right. People often revert to their childhood play days to forget about their worries, violence, horror of wars and stress. It can be argued that is what happened in 1914 when some soldiers met in No Mans Land. In recent years, there have been at least 150 ongoing armed conflicts recorded each year. The CFA have been contacted by many parents, teachers, doctors, nurses, civil servants, soldiers, police, shop keepers, volunteers, street cleaners, senior citizens – Everyday Peolple. They all connect with Peace Through Play. The CFA do not make choices regarding who can participate and twin their designated area of play. The simple fact; if you connect with the importance of play during childhood then you understand the values of humanitarianism. Our children deserve health, safety and well-being.
Do some rules rule?
The criteria is simple. All inclusive: mixed gender, mixed ability, all denominations and non-denominations. The impact is stronger inter-generational relationships, a better understanding of multi-culturalism and the importance of protecting childhood through play.
How have You heard about Anna s activity, why Katowice, why her, which is fantastic choice!
Anna’s name was presented to the CFA by the wonderful Football Makes History (online resource platform for teachers, sports organisations and authorities) Her excellent work chimes with the Peace Field Programme. The CFA feel that Anna is the perfect person to steer the first ever Peace Field Project Peace Pitch in Katowice, especially in the year of the 80th Anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi concentration camp. Anna was highly recommended by Football Makes History and it is clear to understand why when we read about her work.
And football for Silesia have a very special meaning indeed!
It is a very special connection with Silesia. This is an exciting, positive and informative Peace Field Project. The CFA are looking forward to help achieve the first ever peace pitch in Poland.
Plus about what is most important in this idea for You its been like 10 years now or more? How it developes? Changes from Your point of view…
The importance of the Peace Field Programme’s projects are that they are all peace education through play activities. It is essential that childhood is ringfenced (protected). Children that play together experience mixed gender, mixed ability and fun together; children that carry forward the essence of play into their adult life -generates peace for all. The Peace Field Project has developed through word of mouth. There is no major corporate sponsor or global sports authority branding the Peace Field Programmes. The Peace Field Project has grown into a genuine peace network. It continues to grow. Many Peace Field Project Peace Pitch locations are in war scarred communities, areas of high communal tension, communities seeking reconciliation, communities with partition and communities linked to historic battles. It has been amazing to experience the diversity of communities recognising the value of peace through play. Everyday people starting their Peace Field Project in their community. It is heart-warming. There are rightfully many memorials to war; the Peace Field Project Peace Pitches are a modern-day legacy to commemorate and celebrate peace through play. All cultures commemorate respectfully in many ways. The Peace Field Programme’s Projects have developed into a global celebration of advocating peace through play.
Many thanks and all the best!
Beata Dżon – Ozimek
dziennikarka/journalist