England Climbing Development Programme

Programme Structure 2026

The Development Programme is discipline specific, an athlete will need to qualify separately for boulder and lead to be able to attend the discipline specific training events.

• 3x boulder training events
• 3x lead training events
• 1x international training camp

January-February:

• U17 & U19 GB Climbing Team Trials.
• All categories: Training in home environment with team, squad &/or personal coach

March-July:

• England Climbing Team training events.
• IFSC Competition Season (U17, U19 GB Team athletes).
• Home nation competition’s & GB National Championships
• Easter – international training camp

August-December:

• Continuation of IFSC Competition Season (U17, U19 GB Team athletes).
• Off-season recovery
• Winter training in home environment with team, squad &/or personal coach.

2026 Selection Key Points

There is a single-entry point to the 2026 Development Programme:

1. Selection event for U15 age category will be the England Climbing Team Trials (December 2025) all the details can be found in the linked selection policy
2. Selection events for U17 and U19 age categories will be the GB Climbing Team Trials for boulder and lead (Jan/Feb 2025)

• Selection is discipline specific, athletes can choose to only take part in a single discipline, athletes will need to register separately for each discipline.
• All athletes who would like to be considered for selection to the 2026 England Climbing Team must attend either the England Climbing Team Trials or the GB Climbing Team Trials (see above for relevant age categories and below for more info). Registration for the England Trials will go live on the BMC website on 29th October 2025, places are limited so please register early to avoid disappointment.
• England Climbing Team Trials are for athletes born between the years 2012 and 2015.
• GB Climbing Team Trials are for athletes born between the years 2008 and 2011.
• For age category specific selection criteria please see the 2026 Selection Policy.