Last week, students from Wickersley School & Sports College, Rawmarsh Community School, Thrybergh Academy and Clifton Community School went head-to-head at the WPT Secondary Schools Climbing Competition 2023.
The competition took place at Thrybergh Academy’s bouldering room, which has a large section of climbing wall with different angles and an additional speed climb wall.
Eight students from each school were selected to form a KS3 team and a KS4 team and represent their school at the competition, which predominantly took the form of a bouldering competition, a low unroped climbing challenge and above safety matting.
The participants had 12 marked climbing challenges of different difficulty levels to attempt, which were set out and marshalled by the WPT Sports Coordinators.
The aim was to complete the trials in the least number of attempts – the fewer tries, the more points earned for their team.
There were more bonus points up for grabs too with an additional roped speed climb challenge – whoever completed it in the fastest time won.
David Bloor, WPT Outdoor Education Coordinator, said: “It is felt that this style of climbing competition is best as it increases competitor participation. The competition is designed to allow us for as much competitor participation as possible. It is very much supposed to be about fun and raising the profile of climbing as a sport for students with little or no climbing experience or specialist gear.”
It was run in an open competition format, allowing students to try any climb they wanted, in any order they wanted for their team. They took no time getting into the competitive spirit racing up the walls to see who could get the quickest time in the least number of attempts.
Mr Fisher, PE Teacher at Clifton Community School, said: “I went over to see what was going on and to say it was rewarding is an understatement. They were all having the best time! Seeing the application, teamwork and enjoyment that was going on was definitely the best result.”
With the competition so fierce, the WPT Sports Team were asked to score and judge the climbing challenges but ultimately, only one team could take the top spot for the Year Group challenges.
A huge well done to Team Wickersley who won the KS2 round, and to Team Rawmarsh who won the KS4 round.
All students who took part were really excited to represent their school and should all be very proud of their participation and upholding their School Ways – we hope to see the same level of enthusiasm and excitement next year!
Competition Leaderboard and Winners:
Bouldering Competition
KS3 Girls
1st Lillie Hollingsworth – TA
2nd Cierra Thompson – CCS
3rd Ellen Henry – WSSC
KS3 Boys
1st Louis Johnson – WSSC
2nd Alfie Manwaring – TA
3rd Matthew Mangham – WSSC
KS4 Boys
1st Brogan Ellis – RCS
2nd Tommy Eccles – RCS
3rd Luke Fox – CCS
Speed Climbing Competition
KS3
1st Matthew Mangham – WSSC
2nd Cierra Thompson – CCS
3rd Ellen Henry – WSSC
KS4
1st Tommy Eccles – RCS
2nd Luke Fox – CCS
3rd Cameron Cant – TA
