Report: GB Climbing Team Assessment

Written by Ruth Dunne Wednesday, 30 March 2011

The GB Climbing Team assessment took place at Leeds Wall on Saturday 26th March 2011.

The routes had been set on the Friday by Tom Randall, Rob Napier and Steve McClure.

As everyone arrived on the Saturday morning, the routes were looked at and there were a few worried faces. The climbers all warmed up, taking the opportunity to look at the assessment routes as they climbed on warm-up routes. People were a little slow to get started - not wanting to be first to try a route, but soon there were lots to watch.

There were some brilliant performances, particularly Molly Thompson-Smith and Tara Hayes in the Youth B Girls, Angus Davidson in the Youth C Boys, Buster Martin and Billy Ridal and Sam Brannigan and Ashleigh Wolsey-Heard. Luke Tilley and Ed Hamer were both looking strong and made the routes look easy!

The team selection was made, based on the performances on the day and everyone went out to celebrate with a meal at Wagamama in Leeds.

On Sunday everyone met at the Depot, and the climbers got on with the planned training with Tom and Mark. Meanwhile Ian Dunn spoke to those who had been newly selected on to the Team, welcoming them and congratulating them on their performances. They had clearly been training hard since the Youth Open in November.

The new members of the Team selected for 2011 are William Bosi, Billy Ridal, Buster Martin, Ashleigh Wolsey-Heard, Connor Byrne and Sam Brannigan.

The new team kit was given out and everyone had a team photo taken, with Mark Richardson from Mountain Hardwear, who generously sponsor the kit.

It was also announced that Jane Newman was stepping down as Assistant Team Manager and that Ruth Dunne would be taking her place.  Jane was thanked for her hard work with a bouquet and a bottle of wine and everyone wishes her well for her move to Sunny Spain.

The Team also gave Ian Dunn a card, as he celebrates his 50th Birthday, this weekend!

Feedback from the Assessment was mixed but generally people agreed that the routes were testing and set to achieve the management team's aim of raising the standard of climbing on the Team to make GB competitive with other teams in Europe.

Good Luck to all on the Team. Happy Climbing and Train hard!