GRASSROOTS
“CLIMBING IS A VERY DIVERSE ACTIVITY – SOME PEOPLE SEE IT AS A SPORT AND OTHERS SEE IT AS A LEISURE ACTIVITY OR A WAY OF LIFE”
partnerships with organisations to make sure existing sites are utilised. This means that the BMC works closely
with the climbing wall operators, clubs, guides, scouts and youth groups, as well as outdoor centres and providers in its grassroots delivery. There are also strong links with Mountain Training and the Department of Education. Turnbull adds: “More recently we’ve
linked up with the County Sports Part- nerships. Also, for climbing outdoors on the access side of things, we work with outdoor organisations such as the Ramblers and Campaign for National Parks, as well as bodies such as Natural England and Natural Resources Wales.” The BMC also gets involved in pro-
moting climbing outside of the UK and partners with international organisa- tions. Most recently, it was one of the driving forces in a bid – led by the Inter- national Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) – for climbing to be included in the main Olympic programme for 2020. Although ultimately unsuccessful, the BMC managed to recruit the likes of Dame Kelly Holmes to be part of the campaign to lobby for the change. The IFSC’s proposals were for a multi-
discipline event which would include a mix of speed climbing, lead climbing and bouldering. According to Turnbull, the format would have embodied the Olympic motto – faster, higher, stron- ger – perfectly. “Climbing’s bid was considered on a shortlist of eight sports but unfortunately has not made the final cut. We thought climbing put for- ward a strong case especially as the IOC was looking for something new, which climbing offered.”
CLIMBING TO THE TOP The nature of climbing – with basic tech- niques and skills being relatively easy to learn and equipment easy to purchase – makes it possible for dedicated and motivated individuals to start taking part in competitions fairly quickly. At a global
level, the IFSC organises World Cup competitions and rankings in three dis- ciplines – lead climbing, bouldering and speed climbing. The BMC has set up tal- ent pathways in each to identify young climbers with ability and to support their development to the very top. Most young people begin their
competitive climbing in a league or boul- dering event at a local wall or through taking part in the BMC’s Youth Climbing Series (BMC YCS). The top 12 in each final are invited to join the BMC’s National Academies – where young climbers are helped to improve their rankings. Turnbull explains: “At the academy
level, depending on their age, climbers can start entering other national level competitions such as the British Lead Climbing Championships and British Bouldering Championships. “The introduction of the BMC Youth
Climbing Series has been a fun way for young climbers to get a taste of competi- tion climbing and the competition sees year on year growth. This year it attract- ed a whopping 860 young climbers and 306 took part in the final. “We also run two Open Youth Lead
and Bouldering events each year and the results from these events are used as a basis for selection for the GB Junior Climbing Team. Climbers on the GB team are eligible to represent Great Britain on the international stage.”
52 Read Sports Management online
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The nature of climbing makes it a very social activity – and attractive to men and women of all ages
Most recently, in July 2013, 14 of the
best British junior climbers travelled to Austria to take part in the IFSC European Youth Championship – with two climbers achieving top 10 positions.
ABOVE AND BEYOND Looking ahead, climbing’s future looks bright. Participation figures are healthy and people of all ages are discovering climbing. Its ability to attract a wide au- dience is undoubtedly one of its greatest strengths. And while climbing is a major part of the BMC’s remit, it also promotes other forms of activities. “Climbing is a very diverse activ-
ity,” says Turnbull. “Some people see it as a sport and others see it as a leisure activity or a way of life. As our participa- tion statement highlights the risk and responsibility involved in climbing, we don’t directly encourage people to climb. However, once people are interested, we provide safety and training advice and publications for information. “We promote the health benefits of
climbing, hill walking and mountaineer- ing and we’re one of the key supporters of the Britain on Foot campaign to get Britain more active in the outdoors.” l
Issue 2 2013 © cybertrek 2013
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