Mountaineering Ireland will support elite level Youth climbers at the 'Competing to Perform' stage through the National Youth Performance Team Programme. The main target of the Youth Team Programme will be in developing the skills and experience required towards achieving finals at European Youth Cup and Youth World Championship level.

The 2026 Youth Team is for climbers who have reached a competitive level to be able to confidently perform in European Youth competitions and have been identified as having medium or long-term prospects for inclusion in senior team.

By fine tuning all aspects of performance for each climber, with the aim of performing at major championships, we will raise performance standards and capabilities of our Youth Climbers. At this stage of climber development, our support will become more bespoke and focussed on specific needs of the climber with opportunities for input from technical coaching, strength and conditioning, physiotherapy, training camps and sports science.

Climbers who are eligible to compete for Ireland in the 2026 European Youth Cups may apply for inclusion in the Youth Team Programme 2026.

For selection onto this team -

A panel of experts led by the High-Performance Lead will assess each climber's performance potential based upon information provided in the application form relating to:

• Results progression in the previous 5 years.
• Training Age and history.
• Training gap analysis.
• Performance Trajectory - Potential will be measured against physical, technical and psycho-behavioural development.
• Coaching relationship and environment.
• Commitment to achieving excellence.
• Commitment to engage with the programme for maximum impact.
• Commitment to help Mountaineering Ireland achieve it's targets.
• Injury History.

In addition to information on performance trajectories, the selection panel will also be aware of and discuss maturation and peaking ages in the three Olympic disciplines.

Selection process and criteria for International Competition Selection in 2026 is currently under review and will be published by 31st Dec. 2025.

Please email [email protected] with any questions you may have.