Inspiring the next champion climbers

Clip n Climb Preston have been supporting young climbers taking part in the SPAR Lancashire School Games, donating two family vouchers for the programme’s social media competition.

Climbing is new to this year’s SPAR Lancashire School Games programme, providing an engaging alternative to the more traditional school activities such as football, netball and hockey.

Requiring upper body and core muscle strength, climbing is a great way to develop confidence, muscle mass, concentration and focus.

The SPAR Lancashire School Games are organised by a team of 14 Lancashire school games organisers and supported by sub-regional sports partnership, Active Lancashire and Preston based, SPAR UK wholesaler for the North of England, James Hall & Co.  

Martin Heald from Active Lancashire is quite a dab hand at climbing, having been crowned British Para climbing champion for 3 years in a row and currently holds the position of 6th in the world for Para climbing (category AL2).

Martin said: “Climbing is a great way to build confidence and takes you outside of your comfort zone. I enjoy the social aspect of being around other climbers and it’s a brilliant way to get children away from their computer screens and take part in sport.”

Dawn Cranney, Manager at Clip n Climb Preston said: “We were delighted to help support the SPAR Lancashire School Games, especially in championing a lesser known sport and promoting how good climbing can be in keeping fit, having fun and developing key personal skills.

“Children quickly learn that they have to concentrate when climbing and there is a real sense of pride and success when they reach the top of the wall. We have 24 climbing walls at Clip n Climb Preston, and each wall has a set of challenges that help us accommodate levels of ability and age. Children can climb here from 4 years so it’s a perfect family activity, and one that adults can also use to keep fit and develop core muscle strength.”

16 districts across Lancashire have been holding Level 2 climbing competitions, preparing for July’s county finals when the winners from each district will battle it out for the county title on July 2nd, at Stanley Park, Blackpool.