At Awesome Walls, we’re passionate about giving Irish young climbers the tools, confidence, and opportunities to reach their full potential. That’s why we’re proud to align our Youth Climbing Pathway with the wider Climber Development Pathway developed by Mountaineering Ireland.
This framework (pictured below) illustrates how a young climber’s journey can progress — from their very first steps in climbing with family or friends, all the way through to competing at an international level in an Irish vest.
Where Awesome Walls Fits In
Our School of Rock, NICAS and Academy programmes provide the foundation that supports Irish young climbers through the Clubs and levels of the pathway.
For those who show the passion and commitment to push further, our Squad bridges the gap towards Mountaineering Ireland’s National Youth Squad and beyond.
Mountaineering Ireland’s Commitment
Mountaineering Ireland is showing a clear commitment to strengthening this pathway by:
- Actively supporting Squad coaches at centres like Awesome Walls with resources, training, and mentorship.
- Ensuring that talented young climbers benefit not just from great facilities, but also from high-quality, consistent coaching.
- Building stronger connections between Regional squads and the National Youth Squad, helping climbers make the leap to competing at the highest levels while broadening their network of peers and coaches.
This investment in coaching is vital. By empowering coaches, Mountaineering Ireland ensures that the next generation of Irish climbers will have the skills, support, and mindset needed to succeed both on and off the wall.
The Bigger Picture
The pathway doesn’t just focus on elite performance. It provides a structured, inclusive route for all young climbers — whether they want to climb for fun, progress steadily through NICAS, or chase a dream of wearing the green jersey at World Championships and Olympics.
At Awesome Walls, we’re excited to be part of this journey and to see our Squad climbers — guided by committed coaches and supported by Mountaineering Ireland — continue to rise.
Thank You
We’d like to thank Mountaineering Ireland for their vision and commitment to both grassroots and performance climbing. With their support and with the dedication of our fantastic coaching team, the future of Irish climbing has never looked brighter.
