The Mountaineering Ireland High Performance Team are excited to introduce the launch of the 2027 Climbing Performance Pathway providing structure and opportunity for young climbers who want to develop their climbing performance levels in order to compete at National and International competitions.

Strategy 2032's mission is to Professionalise Irish Climbing by developing World Class athletes who inspire both Mountaineering Ireland's current and new generation by bringing Climbing to the Forefront of Irish Sport, growing a network of high performing coaches & quality competition experiences.

  TEAM IRELAND TIER 1   Podium Squad 

Mastery and International Success. This is the highest Level of the Performance Pathway for Elite Level athletes who are performing with podium success at the Olympic, World / European Levels. Athletes of this Level will be eligible to apply for financial support through Sport Ireland's Carded Scheme. 

Age Category : 17+

  TEAM IRELAND TIER 2   Competition Squad    

Refining Advanced Skills and Competing for success at International European & World Level. Refining high level tactical, physical and psychological skills. Athletes in this tier will be selected to represent Ireland  Internationally in European and World Level Events. Athletes will be selected onto this Team from the Team Ireland Training Squad.

Age Category : U17 | U19 | Senior

  TEAM IRELAND TIER 3   Training Squad         

Mastering Training, Refining Skills and Training to Compete at International Level : Refining competition literacy, pressure, resilience and consistency. Members of this team are preparing to represent Ireland in European and World Level if they are selected for the National Team. The top three performing Irish athletes in the respective age categories and disciplines in the Irish Championships will be invited onto this team which will give International Camp training opportunities and International Level coaching. Athletes will be selected from this Training Squad onto the National Team to represent Ireland in International Competitions.

Age Category : U17 | U19 | Senior

  TIER 4   National Youth Squad    

Training to Train and Learning to Compete Developing competition literacy, pressure resilience and consistency. This is the higher tier of the National Squad for developing Youth Climbers. This programme provides supplementary training and competition development opportunities for climbers who are already members of Wall Squads or have access to regular training support.

Age Category : U11 | U15 | U17U17 | U19

  TIER 5   National Development Squad    

Building Foundation and Training to Train Building physical foundations, movement efficiency and training habits. This is a National Squad with participants from across Ireland. This provides supplementary training and development opportunities for climbers who are already members of local Wall Squads or have access to regular training support. 

Age Category : U11 | U15 | U17U17 | U19

  TIER 6  Wall Squads | Regional Squads

Exploration of movement and Learning How to Train Discovering movement, broad athletic exposure and basic conditioning. Aimed at ages 11-19. Local Squads are a key element to Performance Climbing Success, building community and a culture of performance for athletes and their peers in their local gym where they do the majority of their climbing and training. Please reach out to your local wall  for information on Squads available. 

Age Category : U11 | U15 | U17U17 | U19

  TIER 7  Community | Climbing Clubs

Discovery and Learning to Climb Community Climbing for all ages. Learning to climb indoors / outdoors. Introduction to bouldering and lead climbing disciplines. Building passion, fundamental climbing movement and enjoyment.

Age Category : All Ages

Specific Selection Criteria for each Tier of the 2027 Pathway will be released by end August 2026.

Please reach out if you require any further information [email protected]