Black Bears-Polytech Basketball Team

DOING WHAT YOU LOVE AND BELIEVE IN

I was there at the very beginning of creating the women’s basketball team “Black Bears-Polytech.”

I went from coaching a small student team to managing a professional basketball club that now includes both a main and a youth team.

I took part in several international competitions and educational programs under the auspices of European basketball and sports associations.

I provided a platform and tools for the development of our players, managers, and coaches, enabling them to make their favorite game their profession.

I placed Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University on the basketball map of the country.

I invested all the funds I earned over the past 7 years into this project.

Now, I want to tell you our story.

My name is Kirill Volodin, but that — just like everything above — no longer matters, because now there is only US. And every day, WE create an example of how you can deeply believe in what you do and truly love it.

WE are "Black Bears-Polytech."

 

OUR PATH

In 2013, a women’s basketball team was formed at Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University.

Starting in the third league of St. Petersburg, we rose to the top division within 2 years. In the 2015/2016 season, we immediately became city champions and participated in the Belov League — the national student playoff — where we won bronze medals.

Over 3 years, we became the strongest team in our city three times, won every possible ASB medal, and in 2018, we became the Champions of Russia!

After winning the long-awaited trophy, we realized we had to move forward. We created a professional women’s club based on our student team. This was unprecedented in Russia — we were the first to transition an entire team from amateur to professional. The youth team remained and continued competing in student tournaments.

In our very first professional season (2018–2019), we won the regular championship and took silver in the Super League-2 playoffs. Meanwhile, our youth team defended their ASB title and won gold in the Belov League for the second year in a row.

In the 2019–2020 season, the team stepped up again, joining Super League-1 — the second strongest professional league in the country, where we still compete today.

 

OUR MISSION

The team’s main mission is to Develop and Unite. We strive to make our club a central hub for university students and basketball lovers of all ages in St. Petersburg.

One of our key goals is to create a structured pathway for athletes, coaches, and managers to progress from amateur to professional levels.

 

OUR VALUES

We value our people. Our professional team is built on Polytechnic University students, most of whom have walked this entire journey with us.

Honoring tradition, each year we add the best players from our student team to the professional squad.

In 7 years, “Black Bears” have become a launchpad not only for promising athletes but also for young coaches and aspiring managers. Most of them juggle basketball and studies, gaining life experience — but some have found their calling here and stayed for years. One vivid example is our general manager Anastasia Akatova, who joined the student team in 2015 as a player.

 

OUR APPROACH

We believe our youth possess enormous energy and potential — they just need support, trust, and direction. The best way to help them grow is to teach respect: respect for hard work and for the effort of those around them.

This approach is reflected in the team’s core principles:

The time is now. The place is here.

Attitude defines results.

The slogan "Blood, Sweat, and Tears" captures the essence of these beliefs.

This is what you must invest right now if you truly want to succeed.

 

OUR HOME

Last season (2019–2020), the team lost access to a gym in St. Petersburg, forcing us to play all home games in Veliky Novgorod. Every match became an away game. We lost our home crowd and expenses skyrocketed.

To avoid a repeat, we partnered with the Polytechnic University to renovate the gym and necessary facilities. Most of the work is done, but the project still requires significant investment.

 

WHY WE NEED SUPPORT

Our club’s budget covers a wide range of expenses — 25 million euro per season. Most funding comes from private contributions by club leadership.

We are the only team in the Super League operating almost entirely on private capital. Today, we are facing financial difficulty and seeking support from people who love basketball and share our values.

Currently, we face a 10 million euro budget deficit. Major expenses include:

- tournament participation fees;

- travel and accommodation for away games;

- organizing home games;

- youth development programs;

- medical services and sports nutrition.

We know we likely won’t raise the full amount via a public platform. That’s why we’re also pursuing two additional avenues:

1. We’re in talks with commercial sponsors who support socially impactful initiatives in St. Petersburg.

2. Through our crowdfunding project, we’re aiming to attract city government and sports committee attention and funding.

We believe this project is essential — for the city, for its people, and for us. Together, we can find long-term partners and ensure sustainable growth.

The 3.3 million euro mentioned here will be used to cover the expenses listed above and allow the team to continue participating in the season.

This is why we are here.

We need financial support. But even if you can’t contribute money, you can still help. Share our story. Post on social media. Someone from your circle may hear our call.

By supporting us, you support more than a basketball team or Kirill Volodin — you support a dream. A platform for growth. The pursuit of greatness. The courage to choose your own path.

You become part of the family.

If you have any questions, we’re here to answer them:

Kirill Volodin +7-921-336-39-33, kirilltsc@gmail.com

Anastasia Akatova +7-904-616-21-11, akatovanastia@ya.ru

 

THROUGH OTHER EYES

1. “Hard Work Destroys Fear.” — Life of ASB’s most eccentric coach: interview with Kirill Volodin on Studentsport.ru during the team’s debut season.

2. “Kirill Volodin: A Coach Is a Leader Who Upholds the Team’s Culture and Values” — interview for the blog “2 Steps” during the first championship season.

3. “Coach of Polytechnic Women’s Team: ‘The Whole Secret Is in the Work’” — interview with the university media center.

4. “We’ll work under tough conditions, travel in budget train cars, stay in cheap hotels, and get paid little — but we’ll try something no one has done before” — interview during the debut professional season.

5. “The Great She-Bears. The Women’s Basketball Team Is Rising to Success” — on the debut professional season’s outcomes.

6. “Legendary ASB Teams: Black Bears-Polytech” — a mini-documentary from the ASB about the team’s development, achievements, and philosophy.

7. “Basketball Is Not the Goal — It’s a Tool That Builds Essential Qualities” — interview with Kirill Volodin for the Polytechnic University media center.