The BMC National Academies are running again this year for the top talented young climbers.
The BMC has been delivering the National Academies for the last six years. With funding from Sport England, our talent support also expanded last year with the launch of the BMC Regional Academies.
The the top ten placed English, Welsh and Scottish children in Youth B & C from this year's Youth Climbing Series National Final are invited to two BMC National Academies in their area, either 12 September and 9 January in the north or 13 September and 10 January in the south. Those in England and Wales are invited to attend their BMC Regional Academies too.
Children competing in England, Wales or Scotland in Youth B & C who make the final in the three rounds of the BMC Junior Lead or Bouldering Competitions on 29 Nov 2014, 7 Dec 2014, 6 June, 27 June, 19 September, 3 October and round one of the 2016 series on 21 & 22 November are also eligible to attend the National Academies.
The format of the National Academies will be different from previous years.
GB Junior Lead Team Manager Ian Dunn will be running both of September's academies with a team of coaches. This year's program will be different to previous years. The morning will comprise of a mock final in a leading competition, with each child experiencing, warming up, isolation, route reading and final preparation. Each child's performance will be analysed by Ian and his team, providing children with feedback. Children will then have the chance to do the climbs again in a coached environment.
With each child's strengths and weaknesses identified in the morning, appropriate training will be delivered in the afternoon and reccomendations made to best prepare the children for future national and international competitions.
January's academies will be run at bouldering walls and led by GB Junior Bouldering Team Managers Tom Greenall and Lucinda Whittaker, providing a fantastic opportunity to spend the day learning what it takes to be a GB team athlete.
January's academies will provide both the climbers and parents with a wealth of information as to what is currently required to compete successfully in the international world of competition climbing. Climbers will have workshops to look at their technique, competition skills and physical conditioning.
Parents will be invited to join workshops designed to help them with strategies to manage their child's well-being, how to guard against over-specialised training and aid injury prevention.
Children should arrive at 10.00am and each academy will finish by 4.30pm.
Children will need to bring harness, boots and chalkbag to September's academies. No harness will be required for January's.
Dates for the BMC National Academies:
12 September 2015 - Manchester Climbing Centre
For children competing in the following areas: NW, NE & Lakes, Yorkshire, Peak, N Wales & Scotland
13 September 2015 - Reading Climbing Centre
For children competing in the following areas: Midlands, London & SE, SW, S Wales
9 January 2016 - The Depot, Manchester
For children competing in the following areas: NW, NE & Lakes, Yorkshire, Peak, N Wales & Scotland
10 January 2016 - The Project Climbing Centre, Poole
For children competing in the following areas: Midlands, London & SE, SW, S Wales
Youth Outdoor Climbing Courses
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Whether you want to make the leap from indoor climbing into Sport or Trad climbing outdoors, we run many courses across the country and throughout the year that are specially for 11-17 year olds.
Subsidised Youth Course Places
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There are a large number of free places on courses for families who may struggle to afford it. Any families who live in rented accommodation and who receive income support or universal credit may contact the instructor of a course or Alex West for a place.
U27 Membership
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