British Team Trial 2008
EICA: Ratho December 6th – 7th 2008

The results are in from the British Team Trials held at the EICA: Ratho near Edinburgh. The trials were conducted on the newly opened international standard competition wall.

Neil McGeachy (MCofS Area Youth Coordinator and Coach at EICA) said “the Scottish kids didn't half rise to the occasion!Every one in the final climbed brilliantly in all the categories and this showed in the number now selected to the Junior, and Youth categories”.

British Team Selection for 2009:

The excellent performance of the Scottish kids at the Trials means that Scotland will provide 12 kids for the British Team either as ‘aspirant’ or ‘full team’ members. They will then have a chance to be selected to compete at the European Youth Series in 2009 and the World Youth Championships in 2010. Nine of the twelve kids have been coached by Neil McGeachy at EICA and a pre-trial training session for the kids on the freshly opened international standard wall seems to have made all the difference. Dougie MacAskill, from Inverness, father of Ellen who is now an aspirant member said, “Ellen did really well at the trials and surprised (and delighted) me, her Mum and Ruairidh Mackenzie (MCofS AYC in Inverness who has been coaching Ellen) because she was a bit up and down with her climbing lately (pardon the pun) and pretty nervous. The session with Neil at EICA: Ratho the week before helped a lot”.

Jamie Davidson from Kirkcaldy was also selected as an aspirant member and it was noted by Neil that “she put in a faultless performance”. You can see Jamie in action on the final route at http://uk.youtube.com/user/Billbazz.

Looking forward to the international competitions in 2009, Ruairidh Mackenzie said “All the kids climbed out of their skins on the trial day and we are very proud of them all. My advice to them is to train lots between now and June, eat well and go to bed early”!

For 2009, team selection is made using a number of criteria: performance and results in international events during 2008 & the British Indoor Climbing Championship (BICC), results from the Team Trial, and outstanding performances in the Youth Climbing Series. In addition, the athlete’s commitment, attitude and assessed natural ability are all considered. Winners of junior trials automatically qualify for a team place. Climbers less than 14yrs of age must be ‘Aspirant’ before going on to join the Team.

2009 Aspirant Team Members from Scotland:
Dylan McKenzie (joint 1^st in the Youth Series 2008, 1^st in the Scottish Championships 2008)
Jaime Davidson (joint 1^st in the Youth Series 2008, 8^th in the British Championships 2008)
Eleanor Hopkins (joint 1^st in the Youth Series 2008)
Ellen MacAskill (joint 8^th in the Youth Series 2008, Scottish Champion 2007 and 2008)
Jessica McCaskey (Joint 8^th in the Youth Series 2008, 6^th in the British Championships 2008)
Robbie Philips

2009 Team Members from Scotland:

Natalie Berry
(Her best competition results to date are 1^st in a round of the European Youth Series 2007 and 3^rd overall in 2006 and 2007; 5^th in the World Championships 2005, 4^th in the World Championships 2006 and British Indoor Climbing Champion in 2004/05 and 2005/06)

Robert Mackenzie
(His best competition results to date are 15^th in the World Cup 2006 and 8^th in the European Youth Series in Slovenia)

Jonathan Stocking
(His best competition results to date are 1^st in the Scottish Championship 2008, British Lead ClimbingChampion 2007 and 2008, British Bouldering Champion 2008, 3^rd in the European Youth Seriesand 4^th in the World Youth Championships in Australia)

Paul Williamson
(His best competition results to date are 6^th in the Youth Series 2008, 3^rd in the Scottish Championships 2008 and 4^th in the British Championships 2008)

Jonathan Field
(4^th in the Youth Series 2008, 7^th in the Scottish Championships 2008 and 5^th in the British Championships 2008)

Ross Kirkland
(5^th in the Youth Series 2008, 2^nd in the Scottish Championship 2008 and 3^rd in the British Championships 2008)