2021 was an exceptional year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and this led to the subsequent ‘roll over’ of the squad. The lessons learned during this time have influenced changes to the structure and delivery of the GB National Development Squad program.

The selection principles for the GBNDS 2022 are detailed here.

This is what a past athlete had to say about being part of the GB National Development Squad programme:

🗨️ "When I was younger I really enjoyed competitions because it meant I got to see all of my climbing mates from all over the country as it brought us together in one place. I was also a bit competitive and was always aiming to do my best and see where I placed amongst all of the other folk on similar level from low end Youth C all the way to high end Youth A. Internationals were a wicked opportunity to climb against an even stronger field, on some unique problems and I enjoyed everything about them. The team spirit, all the fun and laughs we had are what made it for me. Competing on the squad made me feel really good and happy to climb, with the social side of comps making it even better. I got some amazing opportunities to climb in cool places internationally or new centres nationally.

Particular bits I enjoyed about the squad were all the team trainings we had in the run up to comp season, working on our bouldering and movement skills, a relaxed atmosphere created by all the management and everyone just being so psyched to climb and just have a crack with each other. I also like that I still have friends from the squad nearly three years on and when we meet up it's like nothing has changed."

A final selection policy document will be published once it has been approved by the BMC Competition Climbing Performance Group (CCPG).

FAQ's

When and where will the BLCCs, JBBCs and YCS final be taking place?

We are still working with our wall partners to confirm these events, but we can give the following PROVISIONAL information;

EVENT: British Lead Climbing Championships

CATEGORIES: Senior (including Junior & optional Youth A), Youth A, B & C.

DATE and VENUE: 20-21 November 2021 WESTWAY LONDON (PROVISIONAL)

EVENT: Junior British Bouldering Championships

CATEGORIES: Junior, Youth A, B & C (please note Juniors will compete on the same boulder problems as Youth A , amended14.9.21)

DATE and VENUE:  4-5 December 2021 PROVISIONAL and TBC

EVENT: YCS Grand Final

CATEGORIES: Youth A, B, C & D

DATE and VENUE: 27-28 November PROVISIONAL and TBC

SIGN UP: Get involved in competition climbing

READ MORE: How to build an Olympic climber

WATCH: We Are GB Climbing

🧗‍♀️ FOLLOW: GB Climbing's Instagram for exclusive photos and results

⛰️ JOIN: Become a BMC member and support GB Climbing

📺 WATCH: GB Climbing YouTube playlist

🐦SCROLL: GB Climbing on X for live updates

👍 LIKE: GB Climbing Facebook for even more news and photos

👀 VISIT: GB Climbing website and see who's on the team

GB Climbing is supported by the BMC, Mountaineering Scotland and Secur-it. Many UK walls also support the GB Climbing team through free or subsidised entry.

« Back