Alexander Stoeckl's New Journey with the Polish Ski Association

On Wednesday morning, the Polish Ski Association officially announced that Alexander Stoeckl, the former coach of the Norwegian ski jumping team, has stepped into a new role. As of August 1st, he will serve as the sports director for ski jumping and Nordic combined. Stoeckl emphasized, "I feel I can contribute with my experience and knowledge," in a statement to dagbladet.no.

This appointment marks a significant achievement for the Polish Ski Association (PZN), as Stoeckl is a highly regarded figure in the international coaching community. He spent 13 successful years with the Norwegian team, leading them to numerous victories. However, last season he parted ways with the team following a protest from his athletes regarding his coaching methods.

In an interview with dagbladet.no, the 50-year-old Stoeckl explained that his decision to join the Polish Ski Association was thoughtful and not made in haste. He revealed that discussions regarding this role began several months ago. "It was a longer process. This spring, I received an inquiry from Polish ski jumpers' coach, Thomas Thurnbichler, about my potential interest in this position," Stoeckl shared.

Although Stoeckl acknowledges he is new to the role of a sports director, he has visited Poland multiple times and conversed with key individuals within the skiing community, which has left him with a favorable impression. He is confident in his ability to leverage his experience to make a positive contribution.

His responsibilities will extend to developing a comprehensive long-term strategy for elite sports, focusing on crucial areas such as recruitment, coaching development, communication, and marketing.

Stoeckl underscored the importance of a generational shift within the Polish ski jumping community, particularly following a challenging previous season. He aims to build a bridge to the next generation of athletes, empowering them to unlock their full potential.