Latest News

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Adaptive climber Sarah Larcombe has been named the recipient of a scholarship from prestigious outdoor brand La Sportiva.

As regular competition schedules resume, the Melbourne local is looking forward to vying for a place on the Australian Paraclimbing Team for the first time. Sarah has her sights set on the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) circuit, and would like to see paraclimbing included in the Olympic Games by 2028.

She said, “The gear provided to me from this scholarship definitely takes some of the financial pressure off being involved in climbing. I'm also so happy that major brands like La Sportiva are investing in paraclimbers and the development of our sport, and I'm proud to be able to represent my community in this position.”

Sarah is also an accomplished outdoor climber, who has recently been learning traditional climbing skills at Arapiles (Djurite).

“I'd also love to set some more ambitious outdoor climbing goals,” she said. “Half Dome [in the USA’s Yosemite National Park], maybe?”

In addition to focusing on her own climbing career, Sarah is on the Adaptive Climbing Victoria board. The organisation supports adaptive climbers to participate in sport climbing competitively and socially.

The National Youth  Championships selection policy remains similar than the previous years with the state organisation being in charge of selecting their teams.

Due to the COVID 19 pandemic, the following exceptional rules are set:

- The maximum quota for each state may be reviewed in the lead-up to the event. Quota will be confirmed ​3 weeks prior to the start of the event. - State Bodies are required to submit a list of selected athletes (including their contact email) for each category discipline at the latest ​4 weeks prior to the start of the event. - Athletes must be ranked by the State Body in each category discipline list. In the event the quota varies, only the top athletes in the list will be selected to participate

- Any categories may be cancelled or postponed to a later date. Categories will be confirmed 3 weeks prior to the start of the event.

Finally, we advise that state and local government rulings apply and may vary at any point in time. This may lead to cancellation or postponement of the event at the last minute. Sport Climbing Australia will act reasonably and consider state and federal government advice. Sport Climbing Australia will advise all participants of any change as early as practicable.

Sport Climbing Australia will not be liable for any loss or damage due to the postponement or cancellation of the event, change of quotas or cancellation of categories.

Access the full policy here

Women’s Combined

In the women’s speed final, Oceania Mackenzie (VIC) kick-started a dream competition with a convincing win against Ella Easton (NSW). Angie Scarth-Johnson (NSW) secured third place.

Mackenzie breezed through the women’s boulder final, flashing all three problems. Angie Scarth-Johnson followed with two tops and three zones, while Ella Easton took out third place, securing two tops and two zones.

In the women’s lead event, Oceania Mackenzie secured a top, capping off a fall-free weekend. Angie Scarth-Johnson reached 42+, securing herself a spot on the podium, while Queenslander Lucy Stirling came in third.

Women’s Combined Results:

1. Oceania Mackenzie (VIC)

2. Angie Scarth-Johnson (NSW)

3. Ella Easton (NSW)

4. Siobhan Dobie (NSW)

5. Lucy Stirling (QLD)

6. Mia Weeda (VIC)

7. Cirrus Tan (NZ)

8. Leah Jeffries (NSW)

9. Roxy Perry (TAS)

Men’s Combined

Tom Farrell (NSW) dominated the speed final, the only competitor to clock a time under seven seconds. Tom O’Halloran came in second, ahead of Newcastle’s Ben Abel.

In a challenging men’s boulder final, Ben Abel was the only competitor to find a top. Tom O’Halloran secured three zones, trailed by James Kassay (VIC), who also latched three zones, coming in third on a countback.

James Kassay put in a smooth performance in the lead final, becoming unstuck one move from the top. Tom O’Halloran also fell just shy of the top, matching Kassay’s high point.

Men’s Combined Results:

1. Tom O’Halloran (NSW)

2. Ben Abel (NSW)

3. James Kassay (VIC)

4. Tom Farrell (NSW)

5. Ned Middlehurst (VIC)

6. Chase Gatland (NZ)

7. Hugo Hornshaw (NSW)

8. Campbell Harrison (VIC)

2019 Selection

We are really excited to announce the 2019 Open Bouldering Team as well as the first International Paraclimbing Team.

International Bouldering Team 2019

International Paraclimbing Team 2019

SCA is pleased to be able to present the attached strategic plan to member States.

‘On the Way to the Top’ 2018-2021 was developed by SCA after consultation with its Member States. A pre-planning survey was conducted to gather feedback from Member States and SCA Directors. Over a weekend, Board Directors, with the support of an independent facilitator, considered the strategic priorities for SCA for the next 3 years. 

The plan can be downloaded here

The Hon. John Eren MP has welcomed the 2018 Clif Bar Lead & Speed Championships to Victoria.

On behalf of the Victorian Government, welcome to the major events capital of Australia – and proud home of the 2018 Australian Open Lead and Speed Championships.   

Victoria lives and breathes sport, and no one puts on a show like we do.

We’re home to some of the biggest events in the world including the Australian Formula One Grand Prix, Melbourne’s famous Spring Racing Carnival and the Australian Open tennis.

While competition is important, one of the best things about the Australian Open Lead and Speed Championships is the camaraderie and enjoyment experienced by everyone involved.

- Hon John Eren MP.  Minister for Sport, Tourism and Major Events

His full statement can be downloaded here.

Sport Climbing Australia is proud to announce that one of our athletes has been a successful recipient of an Olympic Scholarship for Athletes – Tokyo 2020. 

SCA were able to propose two candidates for this scholarship.  In recognition of their potential, as well as the limited financial support within the sport, the Australian Olympic Committee selected both of these athletes as candidates within the list of eight athletes from across all sports who they proposed for the program to the IOC. 

From that list the IOC chose four Australian athletes to support within the program, one of whom is Oceana Mackenzie.  This is in recognition of her tremendous potential to compete for Australia at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

Luke Pellegrini, the General Manager of Games Support & Operations at the AOC says

 “The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Scholarship programme is designed to provide elite athletes with financial and technical assistance as they strive towards the next Summer Games. With the major sport climbing competitions held around Europe, Oceana will no doubt have a lot of overseas competitions coming up over the next three years and we hope this support will allow her to push for a debut at Tokyo. We look forward to following her journey and wish her all the best.”

Sport Climbing Australia Chairman, Romain Thevenot also commented that  

“It is really exciting that such a promising and dedicated athlete as Oceana has been given this opportunity to develop her skill level and focus on her training for the 2020 Olympics.  We are pleased to have been able to support her application and we look forward to working with her to achieve her Olympic goals. This is one of the many opportunities available to our sport since our inclusion in the Olympics.  We are very grateful for the support we have received from the Australian Olympic Committee”

The SCA Board is seeking someone to fill the Secretary role.  Please see the attached document for more details.  Applications are due on the 13th June.

SCA Secretary Position 2016.pdf

Sports Climbing Australia is looking to fill two roles for 2016:

1) Team Manager - Download the role description here, and

2) Australian National Assistant Coach - Download the role description here

Applications for the above roles are to be sent to info@sportclimbingaustralia.org.au, and must be received by 20th Jan 2015.