OFF THE WALL : BMC launch Athlete Health Policy
The British Mountaineering Council (BMC) today have introduced their Athlete Health Policy to prioritise health and well-being in all its pathway programs.
We are proud to announce the publication of the newly approved Athlete Health Policy, emphasising our commitment to prioritising the well-being of athletes in its pathway programs.
The purpose of the new policy is not only to ensure that the BMC meets the UK Sport Athlete Health required standards, but to also promote athlete welfare, performance optimisation, and early identification of any health issues so that a support plan can be developed.
Key points of the policy include:
PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH SCREENING
These screenings will play a crucial role in ensuring an athlete's well-being and readiness for activities, training, or competitions. They will help assess risk factors and determine support an athlete may require to participate, prioritising their health and fitness and are not used as selection criteria. Those athletes selected to compete internationally require sign-off to issue an international competition license from the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC).
ATHLETE HEALTH REFERRAL PATHWAYS
These structured processes designed to guide athletes through the appropriate channels of care when they encounter health issues. Referral pathways facilitate collaboration among different members of an athlete's support team, ensuring that everyone involved is informed and working together to optimise the athlete's health.
INJURY PREVENTION & EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
The policy incorporates numerous educational components and fact sheets. These resources will be gradually further developed throughout the year, forming a comprehensive resources library on the BMC/GBC website. Integration into pathway programs will follow in the coming years.
MENTAL HEALTH STRATEGY, ACTION PLAN AND WORKING GROUP
We will develop and implement mental health strategy working group, and action plans to prioritise the well-being of athletes. The strategy will include; awareness and education, clarification of support systems, embedding inclusion in the sports culture, and working to destigmatise mental health issues.
SAFE TRAINING ENVIRONMENTS
We have a comprehensive framework of foundational elements to ensure physically and mentally safe training and competition environments comprising of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Risk Assessments, Emergency Action Plans, Liability Insurance. These protocols function to ensure the safety, efficiency, and adherence to regulatory compliance in all program delivery environments.
INCLUSIVITY
Our commitment to inclusion is integral to our overarching goal of supporting athletes in achieving their full potential, both on and off the field of play. We recognise that a truly healthy athlete is one who feels supported, valued, and included in every facet of their athletic journey.
Other points to note:
The policy outlines the establishment of referral pathways through an Athlete Health Lead. The BMC is actively working to appoint a lead and while this designation will be confirmed ASAP, in the meantime, athletes are encouraged to contact any member of staff, including coaches, with any concerns.
The policy maintains the inclusion of a BMI measure in medical screening processes, in accordance with current IFSC policies and procedures. Anticipating new IFSC procedures to be released early in 2024, the BMC commits to aligning its policies accordingly. Referral pathways will still be used as per the policy in cases where an athlete's BMI raises concerns during medical screening.
The BMC remains committed in its dedication in fostering a healthy and supportive environment for climbers within its programs. This newly approved Athlete Health Policy underscores our ongoing dedication to the well-being of its athletes.
Our Athlete Health Policy can be downloaded from our resources page.
For more information, please contact: GBCadmin@thebmc.co.uk