For 2008, the indoor competition for young climbers is being changed. Formerly called the British Regional Youth Competition Series set up by the BMC many years ago, it has been decided to operate separate series in the different Nations (England and Wales / Scotland) using the same general format and coming together for a British Final.
The BMC will organise the event in England; the BMC in Wales; the MCofS in Scotland. The BMC will organise the British Final.
For details about the BMC YCS look at The BMC Website
In Wales, the north and south regions compete to identify a single Team from Wales to compete in the British Final.
In Scotland, we will maintain the two Scottish regions (North and South), both of which will compete at the British Final.
In addition in Scotland, there will be a separate Scottish National Championships held at Extreme Dream and EICA Ratho to find the Scottish Champions from the top five competitors from the MCofS Youth Climbing Series Teams. See more details on the new Scottish Youth Climbing Website at www.scottishyouthclimbing.blogspot.com/

MCofS Youth Climbing Series 2008 Dates & Venues

In 2008, the Scottish Regional Rounds and British Final will be held on the following dates:

	Scotland North	Scotland South
Round 1: Saturday 15th March	Ice Factor, Kinlochleven	Glasgow Climbing Centre
Round 2: Saturday 5th April	Transition Extreme, Aberdeen	Callander Leisure Centre
Round 3: Saturday 26th April	climb@Inverness leisure	EICA, Ratho

British Final: Saturday 28th June - EICA, Ratho

How the Competition is run

These three rounds are run regionally across Scotland (two regions: Scotland North and Scotland South) at local participating climbing walls allowing young climbers wishing to take part to do so without having to travel great distances (which also helps their parent taxi service!).

The competitions are open to any young climber and although competitive are also fun and a great way to meet other young climbers in the area. All age categories compete on boulder problems and routes – the lower age categories top-rope their routes, the upper age category has to lead their routes.

The top three climbers in each age and gender category make up the MCofS Regional Teams for Scotland North and Scotland South. These teams then compete with the other regional teams from England and Wales (who compete through the BMC Youth Climbing Series) at a British Final.

To be eligible for the regional team and to compete at the British Final it is necessary to take part in at least two regional rounds.

There's a summary of the rules in The Rough Guide

How to Apply

The MCofS will make all arrangements for the Scottish Series. The application forms are available here to print off and complete, or you can obtain them from participating walls or from the MCofS.

• North Region Application Form
• South Region Application Form

To compete in this event you will have to be a member of the MCofS. Current members gain a discount on the entry fee. The entry fee to the series by non members will include 3 months membership of the MCofS covering the period of the series only.

[Please note that you must apply to MCofS if competing in Scotland]

Categories

The age category definitions for the MCofS Youth Climbing Series will be changed for 2008. Previously there were three age categories in the series: 7 - 9, 10 - 12 and 13 - 15, with entrant's age on 31st August being used to determine their category. From 2008, entrant's year of birth will be used instead.

Under the old system, the youngest an entrant could be at the time of the first round in March was just over six and a half and the oldest entrant just over 15 and a half. In 2008 the youngest an entrant can be at the first round is just over seven and a quarter and 16 year olds will now be able to enter the series.

This allows a smoother transition for those climbers making the step from the MCofS and BMC Youth Climbing Series to European Youth Competitions and other Internationals, where year of birth is used to determine categories.

There will be 3 age categories based on the year that a young person is born. For each category there will be separate male and female competitions. The age categories are:

• Age 7 to 10: for those born in the years 1998, 1999 and 2000
• Age 11 to 13: for those born in the years 1995, 1996 and 1997
• Age 14 to 16: for those born in the years 1992, 1993, and 1994

Youth Climbinbg Series (YCS) Rough Guide [2008 version available here soon]
Youth Climbing Series (YCS) Rules [2008 version available here soon]

Further information can be obtained from the MCofS Area Youth Coordinators:

Scotland North – Ruairidh Mackenzie
ruairidh.m@hotmail.co.uk
(based at climb@Inverness Leisure)

Scotland South – Neil McGeachy
neilmcgeachy_1@hotmail.com
(based at EICA Ratho)

Kevin Howett
MCofS Sports Development Officer
Email: kev@mountaineering-scotland.org.uk
Tel: 01738 493 946 (Direct)

YCS - The Rough Guide
BRYCS in earlier years

CHILD PROTECTION
Info for Clubs & members
MCofS Policy

Scotland North and Scotland South Teams - Scotland South Team came 3rd in the Team rankings at the 2007 BRYCS Final