A reception for the British Climbing Teams took place at the Houses of Parliament on Wednesday 2 November.

Members from both the Bouldering Team and the Climbing Team were present.

The reception was arranged by the BMC and the Mountaineering APPG (All Party Parliamentary Group) to introduce the British Climbing Team to the Sports Minister, Hugh Robertson.

The meeting raised awareness among top sporting officials and parliamentarians of the accessibility of climbing and its contribution to increasing participation in sport. It also provided the opportunity to highlight the substantial progress made at elite level in recent years.

Several people made speeches, including BMC Vice President Audrey Seguy, who pointed out the wider benefits of the related activities of climbing, hill walking and mountaineering. Including the health and social benefits of what, for many people, often becomes a lifelong passion. And, unlike many other sports, people from different generations, cultures and all walks of life participate together willingly and equally. 

Over 50 people were in attendance – MPs & Lords including David Rutley and John Mann joint chairs of the APPG, top officials from Sport England including Jennie Price (SE CEO), Tim Lamb (SRA CEO), special guest Dame Kelly Holmes, BMC officials and members of the British Climbing Team.

BMC Competition Climbing Officer, Rob Adie, said: “It was a great opportunity for the BMC to show off the fantastic efforts of the British Team to some of the most influential people in the country, and make the guys in government aware of how much better we could do with just a little bit more support and a small amount of funding, especially in the run up to potentially becoming an Olympic Sport!”
 

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