SWPS University students on Poland’s national team
The Polish team delivered an outstanding performance in the finals of the ICU World Cheerleading Championships (ICU Worlds), the world championships in sport cheerleading, held on April 23–27, 2026, at the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex in Orlando, Florida.
This year, Poland’s national team featured a record-breaking 210 athletes, including Sandra Pałyska and Wiktoria Pałyska, two Management and Leadership students from SWPS University's Faculty of Social Sciences in Warsaw. They represented Poland in the Senior Pom division as members of the Unique Cheerleaders team, which qualified for the championships after winning the Polish national title the previous year.
Right after the ICU World Cheerleading Championships, another major cheerleading event — the IASF Dance Worlds — took place in the same city on April 24–27, 2026. Our students also competed in this championship and advanced to the finals.
The Unique Cheerleaders team, representing Poland in the Senior Pom category at ICU Worlds 2026. Photo: Sandra and Wiktoria's archive
Not just cheerleaders, but also entrepreneurs
Two years ago, Sandra Pałyska and Wiktoria Pałyska founded their own dance school, Stellar Dance. Today, they teach dance, acrobatics, and gymnastics classes to around 400 children, sharing their passion with younger athletes. The school continues to grow rapidly and now operates in five locations.
At SWPS University, both sisters are also active members of the Leadership LAB Student Research Club, where they expand their knowledge of modern management and develop leadership skills. The club is supervised by Dr. Włodzimierz Świątek.
I closely follow Sandra and Wiktoria’s personal and professional development, as well as their leadership activities both at SWPS University and within Poland’s national sport cheerleading team. They are outstanding students in the Management and Leadership program, active members of the Leadership LAB Student Research Club, and young entrepreneurs and coaches. Through Stellar Dance, they support the physical and mental development of young girls who may one day become leaders and coaches themselves.
Dr. Włodzimierz Świątek
the supervisor of theLeadership LAB Student Research Club
Watch Sandra and Wiktoria's final performance
Team sports and leadership competencies
Numerous studies show that participating in sports — especially team sports — helps develop key leadership skills such as initiative, courage in taking on challenges, strategic thinking and planning, perseverance in pursuing goals, mental resilience under pressure, effective teamwork, focus on collective goals, and self-confidence.
Students in the Management and Leadership program at SWPS University not only gain theoretical knowledge, but also develop leadership skills throughout their studies by taking part in practical classes and student research clubs.
Sandra and Wiktoria in Orlando. Photo: Sandra and Wiktoria's archive
We are proud of the way Sandra and Wiktoria represent both Poland and SWPS University. Through their achievements and proactive attitude, they inspire fellow students to take on new personal and professional challenges. We wish Sandra, Wiktoria, and their teammates from the Polish national team continued success in sports, academic life, and their personal endeavors.
Study Management and Leadership at SWPS University
Modern management is much more than just team leadership. Managers of today must combine strategic thinking and agility with empathy and mindfulness to thrive in a complex and fast-changing world. Therefore, our interdisciplinary program of study combines hard and soft skills and prepares leaders of tomorrow to take charge.
Program
Management and Leadership
full-time
Warsaw
Bachelor’s degree
Review
Program
Management and Leadership
full-time