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.
2025 Squad Selections
We can now confirm that all selections have now been made for the 2025 Scotland Development Squad, and 2025 Scotland National Squad.
For details for who has been selected please go over to our Current Squads page.
2026 Squad Selection Polices
For the 2026 squad selection policies we are likely to follow a similar format to what we have had for the past 2 years, although we will be conducting a review and issuing an update early next year.
Select the relevant tab below to see further information for each squad.
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)
Following discussion at and leading into the nomination and selection panels this week we would like to issue an addendum to the 2025 Scotland Selection Criteria for the Scotland Development Squad:
There has been an acknowledgment that the new system that has been applied to the selection policy for the 2025 Scotland Development Squad has not been set to a standard appropriate for what we see the Development Squad space to encompass. With this in mind we have done our best to realign this without undermining the selection process as a whole.
We have appreciated the feedback that has come from the community on this point. Selection panels shall reconvene on Thursday 12th December for the Scotland Development Squad.
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 Decision 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:
Key Dates:
- Document Release date: 04/09/2024
- 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
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!
How it will work for 2025:
- Entry to the Scotland National Squad via this pathway is through an application process.
- Applications forms will be made available on this page, at the end of November.
- In this application form you will be asked to list all the relevant routes and/or boulders that you want to be considered towards your points total.
- Each route or problem will need to be of a certain standard (check in the criteria document for more information) to allow for points to be accumulated, and at least one will need to be of the top standard (or higher) listed in the criteria.
- You can list up to x10 routes/problems.
- If you have enough routes/problems to accumulate the required 28 points within these x10 then you can submit the application for consideration.
- These routes/problems will need to be verified with video evidence – showing you climbing the whole thing, start to finish.
- In the case of indoor routes/problems, these can only be completed at the walls specified in the documents and as well as the video evidence, we will also need confirmation of the grade from the centres head setter.
GB Climbing Trials
Selections made via this pathway will not be eligible for any GB Climbing selection events unless the climber goes on to satisfy the standard “competitive” focused selection criteria.
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 following a very similar format.
Non-Competition Q&A:
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 non-competition application process this year?
Yes – for the 2025 Scotland National Squad there will once again be a non-competition based 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 continuing to trial this selection route.
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: 2026 selection and beyond…
Our aim is to carry this current approach to selection into 2026 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 2024/2025 please visit their website HERE. Any questions relating to the GB Teams or Squad selection should be sent to them directly.