Funding is available to climbing walls, clubs, schools and colleges that want to support young people (up to 25 years old) getting into climbing and mountaineering.

Sportivate is a Sport England funded programme, managed by the County Sports Partnerships across England, aimed at getting more 14-25 year olds more active more of the time. The programme provides 6-8 weeks of subsidised, or free, coaching with the aim of then retaining the young people within their chosen activity.  The programme has recently been awarded additional funding to allow it to run until 2017.

Mountaineering clubs, indoor climbing walls, schools, colleges and similar organisations are eligible to apply for the funding.

The programme is able to provide funding to cover costs such as instructors, coaches, facility hire, marketing, transport to get participants to the facility, and support to sustain participation once the subsidised sessions have finished by, for example, offering incentives such as discounted membership fees. 

Projects not eligible for this sort of funding are those without a clear exit route, those focused on talented climbers or those that show poor value for money.

Several locations across the country have already delivered very successful Sportivate programmes.  One such programme is at West View Climbing Centre in Preston working with the Lancashire Sport Partnership. 
View a case study of the programme

More information about the delivery of Sportivate in your county, including contact details and submission deadlines, can be found by clicking through the map on the Sport England website.

Suggested ideas for local programmes

Here are some possible formats that your own Sportivate programme might take working with indoor climbing walls, clubs or schools/colleges. 

It is not an exhaustive list and some options may only be available if you have the appropriate facilities in your local area.

• 6-8 week programme at a local climbing centre
• 5-7 week programme at a local climbing centre with the final session at a local outdoor crag
• 3-4 weeks at a school/college indoor climbing wall, 3-4 weeks at a local climbing centre
• 3-4 weeks at a school/college indoor climbing wall, 2-3 weeks at a local climbing centre, final session at a local crag
• 6-8 week programme at a local climbing centre (over the winter) with an additional session at a local crag when the weather improves
• 5-6 week programme at a local climbing centre with 1-2 sessions outdoors with instructors from a local BMC affiliated club
• Many Sportivate programmes offer NICAS awards to participants (with costs being covered by the funding).  NIBAS will also be eligible once it is launched in 2014

Some possible exit routes for the young people might include:

• Joining a local BMC affiliated mountaineering club
• Entering a climbing centre organised training programme
• Joining a new club organised by a climbing centre or school/college
• Entering the introductory fun competition the BMC Youth Climbing Series

How to apply for the funding

To apply for the funding please contact your local CSP for information about their application process, including submission dates, and any local contacts who can support the project.

If you are required to provide support from your National Organisation to go alongside your submission then please contact your BMC Regional Development Officer . 

BMC RDOs can also offer support if you require advice in developing your club to take on more new members or you require support in setting up a new mountaineering club.

More information for schools

More funding opportunities for clubs

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