GB Climbing names 2026 Performance Programme Athletes

Perfformiad Newyddion
28 Tach
3 min read

The British Mountaineering Council (BMC) has confirmed its GB Climbing Performance Programme for 2026, with reigning Olympic champion Toby Roberts and 2025 Overall Lead World Cup winner Erin McNeice among the headline selections.

The Performance Programme, funded by UK Sport and National Lottery players, provides support for 11 GB Climbers to accelerate support in preparing for qualification and podium success at Los Angeles 2028 and beyond.

Roberts, who won Britain’s first Olympic climbing gold, continues in both Lead and Boulder. McNeice, who topped the overall Lead World Cup standings this year, also returns across both disciplines after a landmark season.

In Boulder, Jack MacDougall is included in the podium potential pathway following his run to the World Championship Boulder final earlier this year - the strongest result of his senior career to date.

They form part of a squad that blends established performers with developing athletes progressing through the national pathway, including sisters Connie and Izzy Bridgens, Fae MacDougall, Lucy Garlick and Emma Edwards who are joining the podium potential cohort alongside Max Milne, and Dayan Akhtar. Olympian Hamish McArthur returns to podium pathway to the make up the remainder of the programme.

Athletes on the Performance Programme are funded by UK Sport via the Athlete Performance Award (APA), a National Lottery funded grant that contributes to living and training costs. The awards allow the GB Climbers to focus fully on their event preparation and competition schedules, helping support their progression.

Dr Laura Needham, Head of Performance at the BMC, said:

“This year’s selections reflect a clear progression across both the senior and development groups. We’re seeing experienced athletes continue to perform at a high level, while younger climbers are making strong steps forward. The support from UK Sport and National Lottery players remains crucial in giving these athletes the environment they need to prepare for the demands of international competition.”

Derek O'Riordan, Sport Advisor at UK Sport, said:

“The BMC have demonstrated a significant step change in the development of their Performance Programme, and we can clearly see potential in this cohort of athletes for both the LA and Brisbane cycles.  We hope our support can enable the GB Climbing team and their athletes to unlock their potential and have a performance impact in LA28 and beyond.  I look forward to working with Laura and the team throughout this pivotal winter training period to take the next step on their performance journey.”

The squad have gained preselection for the 2026 season and will begin its preparation phase early next year ahead of the 2026 World and European Cup season.

2026 GB Climbing Performance Programme Athletes

Lead

Women: Erin McNeice, Connie Bridgens, Lucy Garlick
Men: Toby Roberts

Boulder

Women: Erin McNeice, Emma Edwards, Izzy Bridgens, Fae MacDougall
Men: Toby Roberts, Jack MacDougall, Dayan Akhtar, Max Milne, Hamish McArthur

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