Michał Winiarski's son is entering the big leagues of volleyball. He's a real talent.

Oliwier Winiarski spent the last two seasons playing for Eco-Team AZS Stoelze Częstochowa, a place that offers excellent youth work and the opportunity to gain experience at the senior level.

Oliwier Winiarski is a talented playmaker at the PlusLiga.

Michał Winiarski's son certainly carries a heavy burden of bearing the name of his father, a Polish volleyball legend who is currently also thriving in his coaching career. "Winiar" is an outstanding figure, but the name Winiarski itself undoubtedly sets the bar high in terms of expectations for the 18-year-old setter.

Oliwier Winiarski won the Polish junior championship for the Częstochowa club, among other titles. He also has experience playing at the senior level, at the second division level, and also… a stint in the PlusLiga. How is this possible? It's worth recalling an event from the 2023/24 season, when Winiarski Jr. made his debut for the team coached by Winiarski Sr. Due to an injury to Miguel Tavares, the young "Winiar" appeared in a PlusLiga match for Aluron CMC Warta Zawiercie at the end of March 2024. It was a brief appearance, more of a cameo, but certainly significant for the player, who introduced himself to a wider audience.

Winiarski will spend the 2025/26 season with BKS Bydgoszcz, a first-division team that finished eighth last season. Bydgoszcz, however, has a rich volleyball tradition. Moreover, Michał Winiarski hails from this city, having started his youth career playing for Chemik Bydgoszcz.

"A very ambitious and hard-working boy. He always showed up to training early, and often stayed afterward. He knew he had to work hard, improve, and he was aware of that. Obviously, Oliwier has to measure up to a big name. It's not easy, but he chose a different path than his father; you can see he wants to do something of his own. I remember when he and Michał came to Częstochowa, Oliwier went to the school and dormitory on his own, while his father stood outside, and his son made the decisions. There's no pressure from Michał, and it's truly great that he approaches his son's development this way. Sportingly, this promises to be an interesting pair of playmakers in Bydgoszcz, as Winiarski will meet Błażej Bień, his former teammate. They played together here in Częstochowa. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for both of them," Wojciech Pudo, the initiator, founder, and coach of Eco-Team AZS Stoelze Częstochowa, told "Wprost."

Importantly for Winiarski Jr.'s development, he will join a club coached by Michal Masný. He is a former excellent setter with extensive experience, which should undoubtedly aid the development of a volleyball player in this position. The Slovak coach has already demonstrated that he can work well with the team in Bydgoszcz, and the young players are certainly developing.

It therefore seems that Oliwier Winiarski has chosen the right direction for his career.

Read also: The unsung hero of the Polish national volleyball team. He responded to critics with great class! Read also: Nikola Grbić is moved after success. The Polish volleyball coach admitted it openly.