The BMC ran two National Academy events on 16 January, with seventy young climbers receiving expert coaching.

British Junior Team Manager and Coach Ian Dunn ran two pilot talent development days in 2008 and 2009. They proved so successful that the BMC applied to Sport England for funding to deliver sixteen workshops over the next four years. This Saturday saw the first two being run at the Manchester Climbing Centre and the Westway in London.

Each day was split into a variety of shorter workshops developing the children’s skills.


Warming Up

Both Ian and Dave Binney, who led the days in Manchester and London respectively, also spent time explaining some training principles to both the children and their parents. Summit magazine has explored some of the issues around young climbers and training, and the BMC hope to provide more information on this topic in the future.


Body Tension Exercises

The coaches helping Ian at Manchester were Steve McClure, Neil McGeachy, Neil Busby and Gemma Powell. Also helping out were British Team members Natalie Berry, Charlotte Ellison, Matthew Roby and Robbie Phillips. With Dave at the Westway were Lucy Creamer, Katherine Schirrmacher, Neil Johnson and Tom Randall. A legion of parents also helped out by belaying the children climbing the routes.


Natalie Berry with one of the climbers


Bouldering at Manchester


Climbing Routes

The children attending the National Academy were selected by their positions in the 2009 Youth Climbing Series final. There will be two more National Academy events on 10 July at the same venues, and those attending will be selected from their positions in this years YCS final on 13^th June.

Many thanks to the Manchester Climbing Centre and the Westway for hosting the National Academy and to Sport England for funding the talent development program.

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