According to the CNZ Selection Policy an athlete wishing to be considered for New Zealand Team selection in 2022, but unable to compete, can apply to be considered for discretionary selection under exceptional circumstances.

The selection policy sets out examples for reasons where exceptional circumstances will be considered. The inability to attend an event due to Covid-19 restrictions has been accepted as exceptional circumstances by Climbing New Zealand. 

In all cases athletes wishing to be considered for selection under exceptional circumstances still need to apply to CNZ to be included in the selection process.

You need to make your application to  as soon as possible with a cut off date of Sunday the 12th of December 2021.

Please ensure that your application asks for Discretionary selection under exceptional circumstances being Covid alert level and boundary restrictions (or any other relevant circumstance).  

Please state:

Athlete Name

Athlete DOB

Event – e.g Open Bouldering

Send all related information on recent and previous performances, all current or recent climbing activities, any injury, illness and recovery information, climbing goals and anything related that may assist the selectors.

Note: Attendance and performance at prior recent CNZ National Championship events will be expected.

How does selection work when dealing with exceptional circumstances cases?

According to the selection policy there are a range of approaches that the selectors can take to rank athletes who missed a selection event alongside others. The aim is to ensure the process is as fair as possible for all athletes.

According to the selection policy:

Appendix 2

Effect of exemption

If the CNZ Committee has granted an application for Exceptional Circumstances, the Selection Committee may adjust the points to be awarded to the athlete using one or more of the following:

• If the athlete has missed a National Championship, award the athlete points equal to:

o Their placing at the previous National Championships they competed in, in the same gender, Age Category and Discipline, or

o The points they were awarded at the Selection Camp in that discipline, or

o The average of the points awarded to other athletes under Appendix 1 in respect of the National Championship in the same gender, Age Category and Discipline

Richard Waldin
President
Climbing New Zealand

Are you a speed climber? Do you have ambition to try, train and improve in your speed climbing? We are looking for speed climbers who are interested in dedicating their training towards speed climbing at the Paris 2024 Olympics Express your interest and find out more by emailing

Updated to finalise Squad on 20/11/2021

Following the recent La Sportiva National Youth and Masters Bouldering Championships in Queenstown, we are pleased to offer athletes places in the Climbing New Zealand Youth Development Squad.

Selection into the Youth Development Squad provides athletes with the opportunity to seek further selection into a New Zealand Team in 2022. With current Covid-19 uncertainties further development squad activities are uncertain at this time.

Development Squad List

Junior Male	Henry Booker
Junior Male	Oliver Shanks	Discretionary
Junior Female	Kiri Shibahara
Junior Female	Abby Gebert
Junior Female	Phoebe Kenderdine	Discretionary
Youth A Male	Oskar Wolf
Youth A Male	Antony Death
Youth A Male	Fin Newton-Howes
Youth A Male	Nat Warburton
Youth A Male	Julian David
Youth A Female	Lucy Sinclair
Youth A Female	Willow Cook
Youth A Female	Azaria Briscoe
Youth A Female	Bella Domaneschi	Discretionary
Youth A Female	Isabella Shanks	Discretionary
Youth A Female	Meredith Butcher	Discretionary
Youth A Female	Rebecca Hounsell	Discretionary
Youth B Male	Spencer Menzies
Youth B Male	Wilfred Browne
Youth B Male	Keiran Death
Youth B Male	Tama Huston-Jefferies
Youth B Female	Jasmine Arnold-Clark
Youth B Female	Mischa Boorman
Youth B Female	Sophia Cook
Youth B Female	Florence Smith	Discretionary
Youth B Female	Grace Hansen	Discretionary
Youth B Female	Dixie Whiting	Discretionary
Youth C Male	Jamie Birchler
Youth C Male	Cooper Robinson
Youth C Male	Cooper Gibson
Youth C Male	Fletcher McGrath
Youth C Male	Alex Mitchell
Youth C Male	Conrad Bolger
Youth C Female	Katie Chinn
Youth C Female	Alisa Schenk
Youth C Female	Fia Warburton	Discretionary
Youth C Female	Xanthe Saunders	Discretionary
Youth D Male	Tobin Priestley
Youth D Male	Tristian Jayasuriya	Discretionary
Youth D Female	Anna Evans
Youth D Female	Charlotte Chinn

Reminder of the criteria for selections:
Automatic selection of the top 40% of the eligible athletes invited to be a member of the 2021/22 NZ Youth Development Squad. Discretionary selections can also be made, refer to the policy for details.

Climbing New Zealand selection processes are documented in our selection policy page on our website, please refer to this in the first instance if you have questions. The actual policy document is on our web page here.

Note on changes from the original Squad published: Sabrina and Riley Butler are not eligible for New Zealand selection and were both removed from the list. Fia Warburton and Xanthe Saunders were added to the squad as discretionary selections on appeal.

Congratulations to all those athletes selected.

Richard Waldin
President
Climbing New Zealand

According to the CNZ Selection Policy an athlete wishing to be considered for New Zealand Team selection in 2022, but unable to compete, can apply to be considered for discretionary selection under exceptional circumstances.

The selection policy sets out examples for reasons where exceptional circumstances will be considered. The inability to attend an event due to Covid-19 restrictions has been accepted as exceptional circumstances by Climbing New Zealand. 

In all cases athletes wishing to be considered for selection under exceptional circumstances still need to apply to CNZ to be included in the selection process.

You need to make your application to  as soon as possible with a cut off date of 5pm on the 1st of November.

Please ensure that your application asks for Discretionary selection under exceptional circumstances being Covid alert level and boundary restrictions (or any other relevant circumstance).  

Please state:

Athlete Name

Athlete DOB

Event – e.g Youth Bouldering

Category – e.g Youth A Female

Send all related information on recent and previous performances, all current or recent climbing activities, any injury, illness and recovery information, climbing goals and anything related that may assist the selectors.

How does selection work when dealing with exceptional circumstances cases?

According to the selection policy there are a range of approaches that the selectors can take to rank athletes who missed a selection event alongside others. The aim is to ensure the process is as fair as possible for all athletes.

According to the selection policy:

Appendix 2

Effect of exemption

If the CNZ Committee has granted an application for Exceptional Circumstances, the Selection Committee may adjust the points to be awarded to the athlete using one or more of the following:

• If the athlete has missed a National Championship, award the athlete points equal to:

o Their placing at the previous National Championships they competed in, in the same gender, Age Category and Discipline, or

o The points they were awarded at the Selection Camp in that discipline, or

o The average of the points awarded to other athletes under Appendix 1 in respect of the National Championship in the same gender, Age Category and Discipline

Richard Waldin
President
Climbing New Zealand

2021/22 La Sportiva Youth and Masters Bouldering Championships

We remain committed to running this event as scheduled on the 30th and 31st of October in Queenstown. We appreciate that this will mean that some climbers will not be able to attend, however we have taken the view that we need to try and keep running events when we are able to and provide the opportunity for our athletes to compete.

Unable to attend due to covid-19 restrictions or other circumstances?

With the selection of New Zealand Team, we will do our best to follow our Selection Policy as it is currently written. Athlete’s who are seeking New Zealand Team selection for 2022 and are unable to attend the event can request selection consideration under the exceptional circumstances clause (Section 8 of the selection policy). Please refer to the selection policy first and then make your application to . Inability to attend due to covid-19 restrictions will certainly be considered exceptional circumstances. Please make your application as soon as possible and before 5pm on Monday the 1st of November.

Hold trophies from 20/21 season?

Please ensure that you bring these to the competition or arrange for its return to someone who can bring the trophy to Queenstown.

Not Registered Yet?

Please register yourself here. REGISTER HERE

Before you arrive in Queenstown

Please complete your National Climbing License form, available from our website here. https://www.climbing.nz/competitions/domestic-license-form/

Your club team manager will need to collect your forms and will also issue you with your climbing number for the season.

Climbing New Zealand – National Selection Panel Member

We are seeking expressions of interest from suitability qualified individuals for a role on the National Selection Panel. The selection panel has 3 selectors and a CNZ appointed Convener who overseas the process on behave of Climbing New Zealand. The selection panel selects Youth, Open and Para teams and development squads, guided by the Selection Policy.

The current selection policy is available here: https://www.climbing.nz/climbing-new-zealand-national-team-selection-policy/

Key attributes:

• A passion for the sport of Sport Climbing, and a desire for it to thrive and grow in New Zealand;
• Ability to work with young athletes and identify talent;
• Ability to analyse results and apply quantitative and qualitative assessments as required;
• Exceptional interpersonal communication skills;
• Highly respected amongst the Climbing community;
• Understanding of IFSC international regulations and rules of the Sport.

Expectations:

• Able to attend National qualifying competitions and events as required.
• Participate in selection meetings or online calls.
• Support meeting key decision timelines.

This is an un-paid volunteer role. Appointment is for one year to appoint New Zealand Teams and Squads for 2022.

Please submit expressions of interest with background and qualifications to  by the 17^th of October 2021, or contact Richard Waldin on 0274972677 for more information.

Richard Waldin
President
Climbing New Zealand

Climbing New Zealand is delighted to announce La Sportiva as our National Championship series title sponsor for the next 3 years.

La Sportiva is an iconic climbing brand and it is fantastic to have their support and partnership as we look to the future and the growth in the Sport. Thanks to Matt Parrett and the Mountain Adventure team for working with us to make this reality.

A few words from our new sponsor:

La Sportiva and Mountain Adventure are super excited to be the naming sponsor for the next 3 years of the national Climbing Championship Series.

La Sportiva is a much loved shoe for climbers across NZ and we stoked to re- invest back into the climbing community with Climbing NZ.

Thanks for the opportunity.

Team Mountain Adventure

As part of the sponsorship deal our National Championship series will be called The La Sportiva National Climbing Championship series. The series covers our 4 championship events for Open Bouldering, Youth and Masters Bouldering, Speed Climbing and Lead and Para-climbing Championships. Refer to our event calendar page for more details. https://www.climbing.nz/competitions/calendar/

Richard Waldin
President
Climbing New Zealand

Climbing New Zealand is currently consulting on its draft Strategic Plan.

The plan is currently out for review by our clubs and their members, as well as others in the broader climbing community.

Feedback will be open until the end of September but please respond to me at any point.

Richard Waldin
President 
Climbing New Zealand
www.climbing.nz 
+64274972677

25th of August 2021. Updated 31/08/2021.

Season Kick Off

There is a lot of important information in this post, please ensure you make yourself and your parent or athlete familiar with it.

Covid-19 Impacts.

We are watching the government announcements closely to help guide decisions relating to our upcoming events.

It has been sad to see the cancellation of all the secondary schools events next week, as well as the AIMS games, both for the second year. These events are great opportunities for climbers across all ages to get an introduction to competitive climbing. The secondary schools event was full with 150 climbers registered.

At this point we are still planning to run the Open Bouldering Championships as scheduled on the 25th of September, we will make a further decision on Monday the 6th of September. We are also considering postponement date options and will be canvasing athletes for their thoughts.

Reminder about selection policy.

For athletes who are unable to attend NZ selection qualification events for any reason and wish to be considered for selection into the NZ Team in 2022, need to submit an application for discretionary selection. All requests must be in writing to .

For athletes to be eligible for selection to any development squad or New Zealand Team selection must be a member of a Climbing New Zealand member club.

Refer to our selection policy page for all up to date information. SELECTION POLICY.

Upcoming Events

Please refer to the event pages for the upcoming bouldering events.

Open Bouldering. Note that the timetable runs for around 10am until 9pm, with an early evening finals round.

Youth and Masters Bouldering. Note that all qualifiers on the Saturday and all finals on Sunday.

Lead and Para-climbing Championships. Confirmed for the 26th and 27th of February 2022 at Extreme Edge, Panmure.

Trophies

Reminder about trophy engraving from last season (“20/21” being the year label) and please ensure you are able to return the trophies ahead of at the next season events. Please let your local club or Climbing New Zealand know if there are any issues. Also for those who won their category in the 20/21 season, did you receive the trophy for your grade ok? we had a couple of trophies missing at the events.

International events in 2022

While Climbing New Zealand has made no specific commitment to send athletes to international events in 2022, there are a range of exciting possibilities.

For open climbers

• Oceania Event planned for New Caledonia in 2022 – probably room for up to 6-8 athletes per category.
• World Cup events, limited to number set by IFSC. There may be a New Caledonian World Cup in event 2022 also.
• Australian Open event – limited places

For Youth B, Youth A and Juniors

• Oceania Event planned for New Caledonia in 2022 – probably room for up to 6-8 athletes per category.
• Youth World Championships, USA, Limited places, 2-3 per category.
• Australian Youth events. Limited places

For Youth C and Youth D

• Australian and New Caledonia events are possible, with some restricted numbers.

For Para-climbers

World Cup events

Age Categorises for 2021/22 season

CNZ Age Categories for CNZ events (excluding schools events) between 1st of September 2021 and 30th April 2022 (2021/2022 season):

Masters – born during 1987 or earlier
Opens   –  born during 2006 or earlier (and must be at least 15 on the date of the event, applicable to the Open Bouldering event only)
Juniors – born during 2003/2004
Youth A – born during 2005/2006
Youth B – born during 2007/2008
Youth C – born during 2009/2010
Youth D – born during 2011 (or later)

Sponsors

We are please to welcome back our sponsors from last year Rab and The North Face. We have two new sponsors to announce so look out for an announcement after the 1st of September.

Kia kaha and stay safe.

Richard Waldin
President
Climbing New Zealand

Sport Climbing at the Olympics commences tomorrow eventing with the mens qualifications from 7.45pm. Women Quals are on Wednesday same time, with Mens finals from 8.25pm Thursday and Womens finals on Friday same time.

Looks like all the events and disciplines are on SkyTV Tokyo channels live with climbing on different channels each night, with some channel changes between disciplines. Check out skytv for the details here. https://tvguide.sky.co.nz/

If you don’t already have access to SkySport here is some guidance as posted on our Facebook page.

To make it even easier we’ve put the link for the once off Olympic Sky Sports pass in our bio (insta) and website: https://www.skysportnow.co.nz/ it’ll cost you not much more than a bouldering session at your favourite local and you can invite all your friends and stream it off one device for all. Did I hear someone say Home Wall Olympic Streaming Challenge Night? Time to smash out some PB’s while watching history in the making!!

Not an add for Sky…  But how good to be able to cheer on our Oceania representatives @tom_ohalloran and @oceana_climbing.

Once you have the Sky Olympic pass all you’ll need is the Sky Olympic Video Player App which you can log into with your Olympic Sports pass and “favourite” the climbing and any other sports. You won’t miss a beat (We’ve tested this out to be sure ).

Tom and Oceana we are right behind you! So proud! All your mahi coming to fruition. @climbingnz is here to cheer you on.