National Team program
The National Team Program is managed by Climbing Escalade Canada to identify, select, and support Canadian athletes who show the highest potential for success in international sport climbing (Boulder, Lead, and Speed).
Team structure & focus
We set a high standard for performance and prepare athletes for major international events, including IFSC World Cups, World Championships, and the Olympic Games.
We support athletes at all stages, and recognize that it is crucial that each athlete competes at the appropriate level for their optimal development, whether national, continental, or international. This approach ensures athletes are both challenged and supported according to their growth, preparing them to meet the demands of their competitive pathway.
The National Team is divided into three squads, which are selected on a calendar year basis (Jan 1st – Dec 31st):
1. Elite Squad
2. Performance Squad
3. Development Squad
Selection & funding
The National Team program aligns its strategies with key partners like Sport Canada, the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC), and Own the Podium (OTP) to provide necessary resources.
Athletes are selected based on high-performance criteria outlined in the National Team Program Policy (NTP Policy). Selection uses a combination of results from domestic and international events to determine an athlete’s standing in the Continuous National Ranking (CNR) system.
CEC also manages the country’s limited slots and meets its quotas for Canadian athletes competing in international events such as IFSC World Cups.
Our National Team Program is the structured pathway for Canadian climbers to reach the world stage, ensuring they get the right training and resources at every step of their competitive development.