To become a member of either the Scotland Development Squad or Scotland National Squad we ask that certain criteria are met. These criteria form the basis of our selection policies, and each year the policy for the year ahead will be published here, along with the current years policy.

Select the relevant tab below to see further information for each squad.

2024 Scotland Development Squad

Key Documents

Selection Document – 2024 Scotland Development Squad (pdf)

Key Dates:

11th December – Nomination Panel will review climbers who have reached the required points

12th December – Selection Panel will review climbers who have reached the required points and confirm selections

12th December – Provisional selections will be published, along with points scored by all climbers & the appeals window will open

15th December – Appeals window will close and climbers will be contacted directly to confirm their selection

Key Information:

Below is a snapshot of the key selection information needed to make the Scotland Development Squad (please read this in conjunction with the full selection document above).

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Key Clarifications:

  • Due to ambiguity in the selection documents over how many competitors are included when calculating the percentage points for the YCS series ranking for 2024, all competitors listed on the results service under the YCS series results, are being included in this calculation – regardless of their eligibility for a YCS series ranking, by competing in 3 rounds. It still remains though, that those that were not eligible for a series ranking will not score any series ranking points towards selection.
  • Current Scotland Talent Squad members that have taken part in the 2023 YCS will not have accumulated points towards selection to the Scotland Development Squad at the YCS and because the allowance for them to compete in the YCS came after the publication of the Selection Documents their results are not being considered in the points calculations. Their results at YCS rounds, and in the series as a whole, are being taken out when making the points calculations. This will affect the positioning of competitors as presented in the results service in these categories and will affect the total number of competitors used when calculating the percentage points.
  • Competitor numbers and results have been sourced using the ClimbScotland and BMC results services.
  • Percentage points are calculated based on whole numbers – as you can’t cut a climber in half! – so any percentages that land in between two whole numbers will be rounded down. For example, if 50% is 5.5 then 5 will be considered with in the top 50% and 6 will be considered to be outside of the top 50%.

Points Calculation Examples:

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2024 Scotland National Squad

UPDATE – 18/01/2024

To help consider the multifaceted nature of climbing performance and with a view to provide opportunities to those young climbers dedicated to progressing their climbing whether it be competitive or not, ClimbScotland are trialling an ‘Off-Pathway’ selection route to the 2024 National Squad. As the year progresses we will review and reflect on this selection route with a view to develop it further.

More information on this can be found via the addendum document and updated selection document below.

We have also aimed to shed some light on how we got to this update through the following ‘Off-pathway’ Q&A (pdf).

Key Documents:

Selection Documents:

Application Documents:

Key Dates:

  • 27th November – The application window will open, and applications will be made available on THIS PAGE
  • 8th December – The application window will close at 12:00 Midday
  • 11th December – Nomination Panel will review climber’s applications and points accumulation against the selection criteria outlined in the document above, and will nominate climbers to be considered for selection by the Selection Panel
  • 12th December – Selection Panel will review the climbers who have been nominated and confirm selections based on the correct process having been followed and the criteria having been met
  • 12th December – Provisional selections will be published and the appeals window will open
  • 15th December – Appeals window will close and climbers will be contacted directly to confirm their selection

Key Information:

Points System 

Below is a snapshot of information displaying the points system being used to make selections for the Scotland National Squad (please read this in conjunction with the selection document above for information about the full process).

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The total points will be calculated based on the top 5 highest points achieved.

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Key Clarifications:

  • Competitor numbers and results have been sourced using the ClimbScotland and BMC results services.
  • Percentage points are calculated based on whole numbers – as you can’t cut a climber in half! – so any percentages that land in between two whole numbers will be rounded down. For example, if 50% is 5.5 then 5 will be considered with in the top 50% and 6 will be considered to be outside of the top 50%.

Points Calculation Examples:

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2025 Scotland Squads Competitive Selection

Key Documents

Selection Strategy: 2025 Scotland Squads Competitive Selection Strategy (pdf)
Selection Criteria: 2025 Scotland Squads Competitive Selection Criteria (pdf)

Key Dates:

  • 25th Nov – 6th Dec – Scotland National Squad Applications to be submitted
  • Week commencing 9th Dec – Nomination and Selection Panels to be held for both squads
  • Within 2 weeks of the Selection Panel – relevant people notified of the selection decisions

Updates for 2025:

  • For consistency we have tried to keep to the same format as 2024, but with some amendments to help keep our selection process moving forward.
  • We have also tried to streamline the info into 2 documents to cover both squads
  • One for the Strategy/Process for selection
  • The other outlining the guiding criteria used for the selection process
  • The points system across the two squads have been brought more in-line with each other, but still reflect the levels we hope these squads to be climbing at
  • The SDS is still very much centred around climbers doing well at the YCS
  • The SNS is centred around those doing well at National Competitions, and breaking into the British Championship level
  • Points for both squads will be based on the best 3 results, with extra points being available in addition to these (see the example below)
  • Having spent a lot of time tweaking and testing the points system, we have tried to take into account all situations that may effect the process. However, it is inevitable that other situations may crop up, and other considerations may be relevant when it comes to selection. With this in mind we’ve tried to be clear that the points system is there to guide the decision making process (and will form a mandatory part of this process) but that, in appropriate situations more specific information on a climbers performance may be used by the Panels to help the process where it may be needed.

Key Clarifications:

  • To be considered for the Scotland National Squad a climber will need to participate in several competitions from the National level up. For example, the Scottish Youth Climbing Championship, the Irish Boulder Championship, and/or the Junior British Boulder Championship competitions.
  • To be considered for the Scotland Development Squad a climber will need to participate in several competitions from the Youth Climbing Series level up. Selection is possible through the YCS alone.
  • The Scotland Development Squad will be selected by invitation.
  • The Scotland National Squad will be selected based on applications we receive.
  • Percentage points are calculated based on whole numbers – as you can’t cut a climber in half! – so any percentages that land in between two whole numbers will be rounded down. For example, if 50% is 5.5 then 5 will be considered within the top 50% and 6 will be considered to be outside of the top 50%.

I’ve not quite met the “points” criteria, is there any chance I could still be selected?

If you are close to the points criteria, but not quite there, you may still be considered for selection by the Nomination Panel. Your chances will be greatly reduced, however your position may be looked at by the panel against the mandatory considerations (Selection Criteria, Squad Objectives, Selection Descision Objectives), and they may also choose to look at other optional considerations (such as detailed competition performances). With this in mind, if you are looking to be considered for the SNS, it may still be worth submitting an application form in this case. And for the SDS, you may still be considered as part of the Nomination Panel when they look over the seasons information.

Points Clarification Examples

Scotland Development Squad

Target points: 1750pts Climber: Tommy Schubert Category: Youth B Male

Tommy is a keen young climber crushing at his local wall and looking at the different competitions in Scotland he could take part in. Having never climbed in a Scottish competition before his squad coach suggests he take part in the Youth Climbing series.

Tommy is able to compete in all 4 series rounds and achieves the following results (and the points as per the Squad Selection Criteria):

  • Round 1 – 4/9 – 250pts (Top 5 result)
  • Round 2 – 4/8 – 250pts (Top 5 result)
  • Round 3 – 3/9 – 500pts (Podium result)
  • Round 4 – 3/10 – 500pts (Podium result)

Tommy’s best 3 points are added up and considered in relation to the selection criteria for the Scotland Development Squad – this gives him – 1250pts.

Having competed in at least 3 rounds of the YCS, Tommy also gets a series ranking of 3/10 (Podium result). Achieving a series ranking can also give Tommy points – on top of those he has from his 3 best results. In Tommy’s case – 750pts.
This means Tommy get a total of 2000pts – meaning he has achieved the required amount for consideration at the nomination/selection panels.

Scotland National Squad

Target points: 2750pts Climber: Miho Coxey Category: Youth A Female

Miho has been climbing since she has been little and has always done well at the Youth Climbing Series and being a consistent member of the Scotland Development Squad. As Miho has grown up she has found herself wanting to push her climbing further, and is interested to take a step up in the competitions. Her Dad has seen this determination grow and has been there to help her take a more focused approached to her climbing. This year she feels ready to compete at the National competitions, and to try one of the British Championships.

Across the season Miho achieves the following results:

  • Scottish Youth Bouldering Championship – 4/15 – 500pts (Top 50% result)
  • Scottish Youth Climbing Championship – 3/13 – 1000pts (Podium result)
  • Junior British Bouldering Championships – 8/16 – 1000pts (Top 50% result)

Miho’s best 3 points are added up and considered in relation to the selection criteria for the Scotland National Squad – this gives her 2500pts.

At the Scottish Youth Bouldering Championship and the Scottish Youth Climbing Championship Miho also comes 1st and 2nd (respectively) in the field of Scottish climbers. This means she gets an extra 250pts, and an extra 125pts. Bringing her total up to 2875pts – meaning she has achieved the required amount for consideration at the nomination/selection panels.

2025 Scotland Squads non-competitive performance selection

Key Documents:

Selection Strategy: TBC
Selection Criteria: TBC

Key Dates:

  • Document Release date: TBC

The process is being put in place to take into account the multifaceted nature of climbing performance and with a view to provide opportunities to those young climbers dedicated to progressing their climbing whether it be competitive or not. This will be a continuation of the 2024 trial, and as such will be subject to review, reflections and possible changes until we’ve worked things out fully.

Please bear this in mind if considering this as an option for you, and please get in touch with any questions or comments as it’ll certainly help us develop things further. We are really very excited about this side of our pathway developing, so do get in touch if you would like to know more!

Updates for 2025:

  • Following a trial of an ‘Off-Pathway’ selection process for 2024 we have decided to put some further work into developing this process for 2025.
  • At the moment the 2024 process is still open, and we have learnt a lot from this that we would like to build into next years policy. With this in mind we will be looking to have this document published in the coming 2 months.

Key Clarifications:

  • At this stage this pathway option is being put in place for the SNS only.
  • We will be looking to build on the 2024 trial of this process, and so the 2025 process is likely to follow a very similar format.

Squad selection FAQs

Frequently asked questions about squad selection:

Why have we moved to a points based system?

In collaboration with GB Climbing and the BMC it was decided that this would be an effective way to gain crucial information on athletes’ performance across a whole season of competitions. As ClimbScotland, we feel that taking this system forward will give athletes a clear process to follow, and enable them to determine key competitions for their planning and preparation.

In the future we will be looking to build on what we have for 2024, and will look for effective ways to bring in coach observations as well.

Why are there some differences between points that can be accrued?

This is to help reflect the differences between categories, and also the effect the number of competitors might have on the possibility of accruing points.

  • Example: Youth B are not eligible to compete in the British Boulder Championships or the British Lead Championships, and for the Scottish National Squad we are not considering the YCS – as such we have increased the number of points they can accrue from other competitions
  • Example: Where there are fewer than 16 competitors, accruing points based on a top 25% finish does not make sense, since this puts the athlete in a podium position and so we have taken this out and put in a podium position instead.

Why are YCS results not considered for the Scottish National Squad categories A & B?

We have decided that the level we would like to select for these age categories is more in line with the level of competition found at the 4-Nations series and British Championships and as such we feel the selection process should reflect this.

What is the application process for the Scottish National Squad?

The application process will aim to capture the information relevant to the criteria laid out in the policy. Athletes will be asked to list their relevant competition results and points accrued, and to answer a few questions. This will give the nomination panel further insight into them as an athlete, and how they line up against our Selection Decision Objectives.

Is there an application process for the Scotland Development Squad?

No. Following the conclusion of the 2023 competition season we will calculate all points and invite those that have been successful in gaining a place to the Scotland Development Squad.

Is there an ‘Off-Pathway’ application process this year?

Yes – for the 2024 Scotland National Squad there is now an ‘Off-Pathway’ application process. Please see the information above. Considering the multifaceted nature of climbing performance and with a view to provide opportunities to those young climbers dedicated to progressing their climbing whether it be competitive or not, ClimbScotland are trialling an ‘Off-Pathway’ selection route to the 2024 National Squad.

Are there any considerations for athlete health and wellbeing?

The health and wellbeing of our athletes is very important to us and we will be working with sportscotland and the Scottish Institute of Sport to help ensure any policies and programmes we put in place reflect this both on paper and in practise.

What if I have been selected for the 2024 GB Squad, do I get automatic selection to the Scotland National Squad?

Yes. With developments at GB Climbing meaning the 2024 GB Squad have been selected prior to our selection process for the Scotland National Squad, we are extending automatic selection to include any climbers selected to the 2024 GB Sqaud. Not just those that were selected for the 2023 GB Teams.

Moving forward: 2025 selection and beyond…

Our aim is to carry this current approach to selection into 2025 and beyond, building on it as we go. Providing reassurance and clarity to our Scottish athletes and enabling them to plan and prepare effectively for future selection and progression.

We will continue to look at and review future selection processes alongside the GB Climbing system to ensure our approach supports athletes wishing to be selected to GB Squads/Teams.

Any questions?

If you have any questions in relation to the selection process please read the FAQs at the bottom of the page or contact 

For more information on the GB Climbing selection policies for 2024 please visit their website HERE. Any questions relating to the GB Teams or Squad selection should be sent to them directly.