Leaving the military for the pitch
Natalia Pamięta made a significant career decision this year. She chose to leave her role in the Polish military to focus solely on rugby. Now 26, she decided to step away from her military career. She wants to pursue her passion for the sport. She also wants to work toward competing at the Olympic Games with the Polish national team.
For years, Pamięta managed the demanding balance between her duties in the military and her rugby commitments. Many times, she would show up to training sessions after a full day of work. She never let that affect her performance. Her drive came from a deep passion for rugby. She also believed in the potential of the Polish women’s sevens team. She wants it to become a leading force in the sport.
Now that her focus is entirely on rugby, Pamięta is optimistic about the future of her team. Poland recently earned second place in the 2025 Rugby Europe Women’s 7s Championship Series, demonstrating their continued progress. This is a follow-up to the title they claimed in 2022, where they proved they could hold their own against top teams in the region.
A player shaped by discipline and experience
Her time in the Polish military helped forge the discipline and mental toughness that define Pamięta. She credits her military service for teaching her how to persevere. It also taught her to stay focused and maintain a strong work ethic. All of these traits have been vital in her rugby career.
Pamięta’s rugby journey initially began in football, where she played as a winger. This experience provided her with a strong athletic foundation and an understanding of positioning and movement, skills she now uses effectively in rugby. Her leadership, composure, and ability to perform under pressure have made her a key player for Poland.
Despite not being professional athletes, Pamięta and her teammates have managed to compete with the best in Europe. Their success is rooted in their teamwork, hard work, and unity, proving that dedication and belief can help overcome the challenges of juggling rugby with other responsibilities.
The Olympic dream and a legacy in the making
Competing at the Olympics remains Pamięta’s ultimate ambition. Poland was close to qualifying for the 2024 Games after earning a silver medal at the European Games. That achievement earned them a place in the final qualification tournament, although they narrowly missed out. Nonetheless, the experience has reinforced the team’s confidence in their potential to succeed at the highest levels of the sport.
Pamięta is committed to leaving a lasting legacy in Polish rugby. “I hope young players will follow my example and play at a very high level,” she said. Her decision to leave the military is a clear indication of her dedication to achieving this dream and inspiring future generations.
She takes inspiration from elite teams like New Zealand, the dominant force in women’s sevens rugby. Pamięta believes their success is a model Poland can look toward as the sport continues to evolve and expand in the coming years.
Her journey reflects the broader growth of women’s rugby in Poland. The sport has been steadily rising in prominence, with Pamięta at the forefront, leading the charge to elevate the national team’s profile and success.
As the team continues to compete in the Rugby Europe and SVNS Challenger Series, Pamięta and her teammates remain focused on their goals. They understand the importance of consistency, recovery, and the smaller details that separate elite teams from the rest. Pamięta emphasizes that today’s young players need to pay attention to every aspect of their development to keep up with the evolving standards of the sport.
The support of coaches, mentors, and teammates has played a pivotal role in Pamięta’s growth as a player. She acknowledges that when people saw her potential, they invested in her development and helped shape her into the player she is today. “The people around you are very important,” she said, highlighting the value of a strong support network.
With her military career behind her and full focus on rugby, Pamięta is now free to pursue her ambitions. She is doing this without distraction. Her decision to follow her passion is a testament to her belief. She believes in the future of women’s rugby in Poland. She believes in the potential for the national team to achieve even greater success.
The Olympic dream still burns brightly for Pamięta. She believes that with hard work, unity, and a clear focus on the goals ahead, Poland can continue to close the gap between themselves and the world’s top teams. Her journey, shaped by sacrifice and ambition, is just one example of how the sport is evolving and inspiring others to chase their dreams.
As she looks toward the future, Pamięta remains confident that her decision to leave the military was the right one. “I really love rugby,” she said, “and I believe it will always be part of my future.” Her story is a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when passion and perseverance come together.