Welcome Talent Coaches
Following last years major changes to the competitions and coaching pathway in the UK we have redesigned our programs to offer better support to our athletes. We have created a new Scotland Talent Squad to offer top end coaching support to Scotland strongest athletes, and for this we have brought on some of Scotland top coaches.
Please welcome Hannah Smith, Mike Mullins, Michael Bleazard and Pete Langlands
Our Scottish Talent Squad Coaches
Hannah Smith
I'm very excited to be taking on this new role as a Scotland Talent Squad coach. I grew up in the Scottish comp climbing community, competing through the YCS and onto National and International events as a member of the GB Junior Climbing Team and Senior Climbing Team. I'm looking forward to helping more Scottish athletes on this journey! Last year I was a coach for the GB Junior Climbing Team and got to travel Europe supporting athletes at international competitions. I'm hoping I can use my experiences as an athlete and a coach to benefit the next generation of Scottish Competition Climbers!
Q&A with Hannah
Mike Mullins
I ahve been climbing since 1998, and working as a coach & instructor since 2008. After designing the wall, I was the Centre Manager of Eden Rock Edinburgh until 2022. I was also a Senior Instructor at Edinburgh International Climbing Arena, worked as a head coach for Mountaineering Scotland, and spent a year coaching the GB Junior Bouldering Team.
I climb as often as possible, and my spiritual home is the forest of Fontainebleau where I honed my technical skills. Outdoors, I have bouldered font 8B and sport climbed fr 8a+.
Q&A with Mike
Michael Bleazard
Growing up in Oban and with a father in the outdoor industry I have always been in and around outdoor pursuits. Upon moving to Glasgow to study my love of sports and outdoor pursuits combined in the form of bouldering. I started my coaching career at the Glasgow Climbing Centre before moving to TCA Glasgow and have most recently spent a year involved within the GB Climbing setup. Throughout my time I have established, run and been part of numerous youth squads along with route setting consistently.
Over my near two decades spent within the climbing community my love for the sport has only ever grown - whether it be bouldering in Switzerland, Dumbarton or training indoors. My own personal ambitions within the sport have kept my passion fueled and also keep my experiences relatable for athletes I works with. I can't wait to get started within the Climbscotland team and hope to bring my passion and joy for the sport to help athletes acheive their goals in what is an exciting period of change.
Q&A with Blez
Pete Langlands
I'm based in Inverness and have been climbing for around 25 years and coaching for 15 years.
Initially I started off doing a lot of trad climbing but in recent years I have predominantly been sport climbing or bouldering.
I have an academic background in both sports science and coaching science so very passionate about personal education and applying this to the development of our climbing community.
Q&A with Pete