Physical education and sport in the activities of the Military Family Association in the years of the Second Polish Republic

Abstract

SRW (Stowarzyszenie Rodzina Wojskowa – Military Family Association) established on the initiative of Marshal Józef Piłsudski played an extremely important role during the times of the Second Republic of Poland not only in cultivating defence policy, but first of all in propagating and popularising physical exercise and sport – the key components of the above policy. The establishment of a sports club by the Association was approved of and supported by the top command, but later on also by husbands and fathers. It created conditions for practicing gymnastics and other sports disciplines as a form of pursing one’s own aspirations, determined by age and predisposition. It made it possible for some, e.g. Janina Kurkowska-Spychajowa to achieve genuine mastery counted in dozens of world champion titles. Nevertheless, the key success was the acquisition of defence practice through knowledge, improved physical fitness, ability to use arms among several thousand of women – which was of pivotal significance in the context of the coming war.