Mikolaj Oledzki eyes England spot after once not speaking a word of English
Leeds Rhinos' Polish-born prop reveals how he has adapted both on and off the pitch since arriving in the country
MIKOLAJ Oledzki admits things often get lost in translation – both rugby league and his Polish mother tongue.
It is perhaps no wonder after arriving in the country without being able to speak a word of English. But one thing is crystal clear, no matter which language it is spoken in – his desire to pull on an England shirt.
Leeds prop Oledzki was born and brought up near Gdansk in Poland before moving to England aged nine after his father landed a warehouse job on these shores.
Now he finds himself one of Super League’s biggest front row talents after swapping Corby in Northamptonshire for West Yorkshire and falling in love with the 13-a-side game.
But he admits the sport regularly needs explaining to grandparents Stefan Oledzki and Danuta Oledzka, as does the Polish word for something he cannot recall from father Sebastian Oledzki, who lived here for six months before his family joined him, and mother Isabella Oledzka, especially when he reverts to the English.
“I try to explain rugby league to my grandparents but it’s difficult,” admitted the 18-year-old. “In Poland, rugby union is growing and people just refer to American Football, but I’m constantly telling them you can’t throw the ball forward!
“At home I speak Polish to mum and dad but I only went to school there for a couple of years, so there are plenty of words I don’t know. So when I get stuck, I just tell them the English and they start laughing!
“When I first moved over, I couldn’t speak a word of English which was hard as I couldn’t get any mates or interact in class with anyone.
“But eventually, I got a translator who sat with me in class the whole time and that helped me get through. It took a couple of years but I got there.”
Oledzki’s progress since taking up rugby league has seen him become one of the top young talents in the sport. Tonight he faces an iconic name in Wigan and is determined to show he can live with the biggest names.
Another fine show could put him on the radar of England or England Knights bosses after he appeared for his adopted country’s academy.
And even though it may need more explaining, Oledzki is hell bent on getting a call up for the country he now calls ‘home’ – who he is eligible for because of where he came through and residency.
He added: “I’m proud to be Polish and I am Polish but playing for England is an aim of mine. The country has given me lot of opportunities I don’t think I’d have got in Poland, which I’m really grateful for.
“Now I call England and Leeds home. I feel like I’m at home here and I feel I owe a lot to the country.”
