Aims of Youth & Development Squads

Throughout both squad programs we will:

• Deliver purposeful training experiences in supportive environments allowing the sessions to be fun whilst challenging.
• Work in collaboration with primary coaches to support athletes throughout their journey,
• Expose athletes to a performance culture which included engagement with Ireland team coaches and external expertise.
• Develop climbers with skills to enable them to have a positive impact on society through their role as an ambassador for the sport.
• Help and support youth climbers in their future ambitions and provide opportunities to allow progress towards these ambitions.

Additional Support

• Athlete feedback sessions.
• Access to additional online resources & support / workshops / assistance finding local coaching resource.

How we will achieve this:

Squad session will deliver exposure and experience to different competition standards and styles and allow for development through structured environments, coaching and climbing with peers of a similar or higher standard. The training environment will be developmental, supportive, competitive and fun. Athlete health and well being at the core of the programme.

Eligibility

• Resident of Ireland or Northern Ireland or Irish Passport holder.
• Climbers in age categories U11, U13, U15 (see diagram ).
• Climbers must be members of Mountaineering Ireland and maintain their membership whilst competing.
• Climbers must read and sign the Climbers Agreement and abide by its terms and conditions.
• Climbers must compete at Mountaineering Ireland Climbing Championships in both Lead and Boulder.
• Climbers must attend and participate in scheduled Mountaineering Ireland Youth Squad training days.
• Climbers must comply with Sport Ireland Anti-Doping rules and comply with the requirements of the World Anti-Doping Code.
• Climbers must comply with Mountaineering Ireland procedures and policies.

Selection Criteria

Eligible athletes who meet both Selection Requirements 1 & 2 will be eligible for Automatic Pre- Selection on to the Irish Development Squad 2027. Athletes who do not meet the selection criteria, can also apply for the Development Squad. Additional places on the Development Squad will be decided by the Selection Committee who will consider an applicant's overall performance over the previous year and any exceptional circumstances which prevented them from meeting the selection criteria. 

( All athletes, including those applicable for pre-selection must also apply using the application below).

Section Requirement 1

Applicants must have achieved at least one of the following in the 2026 season.

• Top 8 in April 2026 Benchmarking (combined format 2026 Age Category)
• Top 10 in November 2026 Benchmarking (combined format 2027 Age Category)

Section Requirement 2

Applicants must have achieved at least one of the following in the 2026 season.

• Top 8 in Irish Youth Climbing Series Overall Ranking 2026
• Top 10 in Irish Bouldering Championships or Irish Lead Climbing Championships
• Top 10 in Scottish Bouldering Championships or Scottish Lead Climbing Championships4

All athletes wishing to be considered for selection to the Irish Development Squad 2027 must apply using the Youth and Development Squad Application by closing date 30th November 2026.

Team selections will be announced in December 2026. The Youth and Development Squad Selection Panel will review all of the applications and offer places subsequently. Selected climbers will have to meet both eligibility and selection requirements before being considered. Climbers are only selected if they meet the Eligibility and Selection criteria and the Selection panel believe that they have clear potential and intention to attend Squad sessions and have a strong desire to develop as a climber.

Injury and illness status will also taken into consideration.

The selection policy is subject to periodic review to ensure that the selection policy remains fair and efficient, considers any external rule or policy amendments and includes any relevant feedback from selectors, athletes, coaches and parents as stakeholders. The Selection panel members have been selected in accordance to Sport Ireland and Mountaineering Ireland Governance Guidelines.

De-Selection Criteria

The replacement of climbers de-selected from the squad will be considered at the discretion of the Selection Panel in accordance with eligibility and selection requirements.

A climber may be de-selected from the Youth or Development Squad on the following grounds:

• Ceasing to comply with the eligibility and selection criteria set out in the Selection Policy
• Failure to engage with Mountaineering Ireland's Climbing Program and processes.
• Inability to demonstrate the level of fitness and commitment expected.
• Injuries, illness and changes in health status will be considered on a case by case basis.
• Anti-doping rule violation or receipt of provisional suspension due to an anti-doping infringement.
• Serious misconduct or suspension due to misconduct.

Cost

There will be an event based cost to be a member of the Youth and Development Squads. This cost will cover payment for coaches, route-setters, venue hire and squad t-shirts / clothing (TBC)

• Irish Development Squad : Core Training Day €TBC
• Open Training Day : €TBC
• Irish Development Squad : Benchmarking Weekend (2 days) €TBC

Additional costs of attending camps or additional sessions may occur with both squads, these will be opportunities, not obligations.

Accountability and Commitment

Full commitment and payment per term is required by climbers.

• Selected climbers must meet, demonstrate and have clear evidence of working towards and / or achieving any set targets, engaging with the program eg. regular communication with the Youth Squad coaches and Squad session attendance.
• Development Squad Climbers must commit to completing the Youth Climbing Series (if eligible by age), Irish National Competitions, and, in upper age categories, a minimum of one British Competition.
• Climbers' spaces are guaranteed only for one year, with the squad up for reselection on an annual basis and continuing to be dependent upon attitude, effort and performance throughout the year. 

Coaching

Coaches will provide support and opportunities to climbers who have shown themselves to have climbing potential and ambition.

• Coaches will attend and collaborate on all squad sessions throughout the year. 
• Coaches will provide support during sessions in aspects of tactical, technical, physical and psychological preparation and performance. 
• Coaches will provide feedback within each session, providing climbers with elements to work on.
• Coaches will engage with climbers primary coaches for information, feedback and collaboration.
• Coaches will engage with parents regarding feedback as required.
• Coaches will be compliant with all Sport Ireland and Mountaineering Ireland's Safeguarding requirements.

Irish Youth Climbing Series Grand Finalists- Manchester Big Depot November 2025

Mountaineering Ireland's 2027 High Performance Pathway and Strategy Team:

Eimir Mc Swiggan MI High Performance Lead | Tom Greenall High Performance Consultant | Lucy Mitchell MI Youth Co-Ordinator Will Buck MI Head Coach

Please reach out if you require any further information [email protected]