OFF THE WALL: CCPG UPDATE

Committee Update
The Competition Climbing Performance Group (CCPG) met on 26th March to discuss the recent staffing updates and policy matters related to the 2024 season.

We are thrilled to welcome Leah Crane to the CCPG. Leah is a former GB Climbing Athlete, her wealth of knowledge and passion for the sport will be invaluable, and we are extremely grateful to have her join us.

Additionally, we welcomed Jon Garside into the role of Acting Head of Performance for the BMC and GB Climbing. Jon's leadership will be critical as we move forward.

Finances
During the meeting, a brief finance update was provided. As of now, no changes are anticipated to our plans for staffing to international competitions in 2024. An update was also requested to ensure systems are in place for athlete recharges to happen promptly for the upcoming season.

2024 Selection & International Competitions
The bulk of discussion focused on selection processes for 2024 international events. As per clause 7.2 of the Selection Framework, we are required to publish these processes within one month of the IFSC calendar release. We recognise and apologise that this deadline was missed amidst staffing transitions and reduced capacity. The process has now been agreed upon and will be published separately before 5pm on Friday 29th March.

In developing this process, it became evident that the 2024 Annual Performance Strategy (APS) lacked clarity regarding the need to acquire and maintain quota spaces on the World Cup circuit in order to support our long-term athlete development and aspirations as we head into a new Olympic cycle. As a result, an addendum will be issued to the 2024 APS and Selection Framework documents, making this a specific strategic objective.

The 2024 Team selections will be subject to a limited review to ensure alignment with the updated APS. It is important to note that the decision to review selection does not mean that any changes will necessarily be made, only that the decisions will be reviewed to ensure consistency with the updated APS. We wish to make it clear that any athletes already selected to the team will not be deselected. The updated documents will be published by 5pm on Friday 29th March with the review process being completed before 5pm on Monday 15th April.

The topic of utilizing all available quota spots at Youth International events was discussed. It is the preference of the CCPG that we aim to send large teams and maximize athlete exposure at these crucial developmental competitions. However, given this year's specific focus on the Olympic Qualifying Series and Olympics coupled with financial and staffing constraints we cannot yet commit to this course of action. We have agreed that we will consider proposals for how we might manage the administrative load and event staffing and welcome suggestions from our community. We recognise that time is of the essence and will be working actively over the next few weeks to try to find a proposal that will provide opportunities for more of our promising young athletes.

2025 Selection
We are conscious of the need to publish selection criteria for the 2025 season as soon as possible in order to help athletes make appropriate competition and training decisions throughout the year. As it stands we are still aiming to have the selection framework ready for the end of April but will provide an update in mid April to confirm this. At this stage we would also like to make everyone aware that some changes to age categories have been proposed at the IFSC level and so if these come into force it will have an impact on our domestic policies.

Parent Update Meeting
At 7pm on the 3rd April Paul Ratcliffe and I will be hosting an Update Meeting for parents (athletes are also welcome), this session will be an opportunity for us to provide feedback following the listening sessions last year and give a brief update on recent changes within the BMC, questions and feedback are, as ever, very welcome. A second session, which will be more forward looking, will be arranged and hosted by Jon Garside later in April or early May.

Closing
On a personal note, I have been asked to serve as interim Chair of the CCPG and have agreed to do so through to the end of this Olympic cycle. Following that, a formal recruitment process will take place to fill the Chair position permanently. Whilst I am here I have one goal: to improve opportunities and outcomes for our competition climbers.

Freddie Naish, Interim Chair, CCPG