While climbing competitions have been postponed for the majority of the year due to Covid-19, the BMC Competitions Climbing Performance Group (CCPG) will be making good use of the forced downtime to develop and direct its work programme in the sector.

It's been a tumultuos time for all and the CCPG has been making the best of the depleted events calendar for 2020. With recent appointments now made for the chair role in the group, the BMC is able to confirm that the CCPG is now in a position to get underway with its role of steering and developing the BMC’s work in managing competitions and supporting the talent pathway and GB Climbing squads at all levels.

Whilst the remaining events in the Youth Climbing Series and squad activities are on hold because of Covid-19, the CCPG will wish to make good use of the next few months to develop its work programme and involve the BMC’s competitions staff in laying the foundations for improvement in the organisation’s work in this area.

The membership of the CCPG, which reports to the BMC’s Board, is as follows:

• Chair (to 31 March 2021): Rab Carrington
• Vice-chair and Performance Sport Specialist: Paul Davies
• BMC Board representative: Paul Drew
• Mountaineering Scotland representative: Stuart Younie (CEO) / Jamie Smith (Climb Scotland Development Manager)
• Association of British Climbing Walls representative: Rich Emerson (Chair of ABC)
• Athletes’ representative: to be appointed
• GB Climbing Lead Officer: Nick Colton

Rab Carrington has been extensively involved with the work of the BMC for the past 15 years. Most recently he chaired the Competition Review Group as part of our organisational development (ODG). Rab is a BMC Patron and has previously been a Vice President (with responsibility for Competitions) and President and has also chaired Mountain Training England.

Paul Davies has over 20 years’ experience within the UK High Performance Sport system with direct experience of leading staff and athlete teams at six major games (Paralympic, Olympic and Commonwealth), he has worked with a diverse range of sports including Rowing, Triathlon, Netball and Wheelchair Basketball. Paul has spent 10 years in senior leadership positions, including seven in the role of Performance Director, as well as many years in other leadership and managerial roles which includes extensive work with volunteers.

Details for other CCPG members are available under their respective organisations’ websites.

Gareth Pierce (Chair of BMC Board)

30 March 2020.

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