Youth climbing academy

The Lock’s youth climbing academy is an “invite only pathway” offering participants a personalised coaching plan as well as the opportunity to enter competitions. The progressive sessions deliver more structured conditioning and training elements which helps to promote long term athlete development.
Academy candidates are selected by our coaches if they have attained a standard in their climbing that is significantly above the average amongst their peers, or they have shown particular attitude and maturity towards progression and are keen to apply themselves to improving further.
We make this selection using coach feedback from NICAS sessions, as well as reviewing results from our annual Winter Bouldering League and other regional competitions.

Coaching team

Skinner (development coach and climbing wall development instructor)
Colette Bayley (foundation coach and climbing wall development instructor)
Phil Wardle (foundation coach and climbing wall development instructor)
Ben Cordell (climbing wall development instructor)

Senior team

Fred D’Arcy (senior team captain)
Alice Nightingale
George Robertson
Sam Larose
Phoebe Townsend
Luke McMahon
Maya Summers

Junior team

Holly Painter (junior team captain)
Thea Brabant-Rudd
Harry Dragazis
Evie O’Flaherty
Sofia Gatland
William Berrecloth
Tom O’prey