Erin McNeice wins Athlete Award at the 2025 PLx Awards
GB Climber Erin McNeice has won the Athlete Award at the 2025 PLx Awards, which recognise standout performers across the UK’s Olympic and Paralympic high-performance system.
Erin’s award follows a season in which she became the first British woman to win World Cup golds in both Boulder and Lead, took three World Cup victories, and claimed the Overall IFSC Lead World Cup title. She also recorded eleven top five finishes across the season and placed fourth in both disciplines at the World Championships in Seoul.
On winning the Athletes Award, Erin said:
“I’ve had lots of new experiences this year – I've approached training differently, new people came into my life and it was definitely a change. But it all worked out for the best and I worked really hard. This season was by far the best one of my life. My family are so supportive and I get along really well with my coaches, so it’s really easy spending a day out with them. I’ve built the best support network possible around me and I’m very grateful for all of them. It’s another new experience winning an award like this and it means a lot.”
Dr Laura Needham, Head of Performance at the British Mountaineering Council, said:
"In the space of twelve months, Erin has gone from a promising Olympic finalist to one of the most successful British Sport Climbers in history. Her results placed her among the top-ranked climbers globally and marked a clear shift from potential to proven excellence. Erin’s breakthrough is not only a personal achievement, but it has also strengthened the competitive reputation of the GB Climbing team on the world stage."
Full list of winners at the 2025 PLx Awards
The ceremony in Leeds recognised contributions across coaching, innovation, and support roles in high-performance sport. Among those honoured were:
- Athlete Award: Erin McNeice - British Mountaineering Council
- Collaboration and teamwork award: Women’s Artistic Gymnastics Performance Team – British Gymnastics
- Support staff award: Ed McDermott - British Bobsleigh and Skeleton Association
- Coach award: Rob Aubry - Aquatics GB (Para Swimming)
- Pathway Coach Award: Stuart Blunt - British Cycling
- Innovation award: The Paracanoe Innovation Project – Paddle UK
- Social Impact Award: Darcy Bourne – GB Hockey
- Spirit of High-Performance Award: Sally Kidson, Connor Welfare & Lauren Kianchehr - Boccia UK
- A special Spirit of High Performance Award was awarded to Gorazd Vecko, Performance Director for British Para Table Tennis, who sadly passed away in October.
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