Rationale – what’s the point?Rationale – what’s the point?

► Clear demand from young Clear demand from young climbers, schools and youth climbers, schools and youth groups – fills a gap in groups – fills a gap in provisionprovision

► Recognises achievement in Recognises achievement in line with other sportsline with other sports

► Provides structure for Provides structure for climbing development and climbing development and introduces coachingintroduces coaching

► Uniformity of standards- Uniformity of standards- Scheme will become Scheme will become recognised by other bodies recognised by other bodies (examination boards, DofE, (examination boards, DofE, Scouts, ASDAN, BTEC, Scouts, ASDAN, BTEC, colleges, universities etc.)colleges, universities etc.)

NICAS – a National Award NICAS – a National Award SchemeScheme► Administered by the ABC Administered by the ABC

Training Trust – as technical Training Trust – as technical experts for indoor climbing experts for indoor climbing

► Recognised by the BMC, Recognised by the BMC, MCofS, MI and MLTUKMCofS, MI and MLTUK

► As widely recognised & As widely recognised & accessible as possibleaccessible as possible

► Not for profitNot for profit

Philosophy of the schemePhilosophy of the scheme

► Open to all aged 7+ based on aptitudeOpen to all aged 7+ based on aptitude► Focussed on proficiency, not performanceFocussed on proficiency, not performance► Levels progressively introduce skills, knowledge and responsibilityLevels progressively introduce skills, knowledge and responsibility► Provides a record of achievementProvides a record of achievement► Provides developmental structure Provides developmental structure

– – including beyond the schemeincluding beyond the scheme

Structure of the SchemeStructure of the Scheme► Five levels that can be started Five levels that can be started

at any point at any point ► Log book to record training, Log book to record training,

consolidation, progress, and consolidation, progress, and assessment.assessment.

► Training and assessment Training and assessment courses are designed and run courses are designed and run by centres but follow syllabus by centres but follow syllabus and guidelines from the NICAS and guidelines from the NICAS handbook.handbook.

► National certificates awarded National certificates awarded for each levelfor each level

The Five Levels The Five Levels 1.1. Foundation climberFoundation climber – the entry level aimed at – the entry level aimed at

novices who wish to climb safely under supervision. novices who wish to climb safely under supervision. Min: 3 hoursMin: 3 hours

2.2. Top Rope climberTop Rope climber – aimed at promoting good – aimed at promoting good practice in climbing and bouldering unsupervised practice in climbing and bouldering unsupervised Min: 8 hoursMin: 8 hours

3.3. Technical climberTechnical climber – a more advanced top roping – a more advanced top roping and bouldering award that focuses on developing and bouldering award that focuses on developing technique and movement skills. technique and movement skills. Min: 20 hoursMin: 20 hours

4.4. Lead climberLead climber - concentrates on the skills required - concentrates on the skills required to both lead climb and lead belay. to both lead climb and lead belay. Min: 30 hoursMin: 30 hours

5.5. Advanced climberAdvanced climber – the top level award that – the top level award that focuses on improving performance, a deeper focuses on improving performance, a deeper understanding of climbing systems and the wider understanding of climbing systems and the wider world of climbing. world of climbing. Min: 40 hoursMin: 40 hours

LevelLevel Top Top Rope Rope

ClimbsClimbs

BelaysBelays Boulder Boulder problemproblemss

Lead Lead climbsclimbs

OtherOther

11

FoundationFoundation 1010 1010

22

Top RopeTop Rope 2525 2525 somesome

33

TechnicalTechnical 3030 2020Progress Progress one full one full gradegrade

44

LeadLead 10 at 10 at F5+F5+

3030 30 at F530 at F5

55

AdvancedAdvanced 10 at 10 at F6bF6b

505050 at 50 at F6aF6a

-using 3 -using 3 wallswalls

Progress Progress one full one full gradegrade

Log book entriesLog book entries

►Level 1 and 2 booklet – supervised Level 1 and 2 booklet – supervised ►Level 3-5 logbook- unsupervised Level 3-5 logbook- unsupervised ►Can only be logged as a ground up Can only be logged as a ground up

ascent with no rests- but can be ascent with no rests- but can be practicedpracticed

►For levels 1 and 2 some climbs can be For levels 1 and 2 some climbs can be repeated if there is progressionrepeated if there is progression

►Candidates should log climbs/problems Candidates should log climbs/problems appropriate for their abilityappropriate for their ability

Awarding CentresAwarding Centres

► Register with ABCTT with a named Register with ABCTT with a named Course Director who attends induction Course Director who attends induction every 3 yrsevery 3 yrs

► Endorsed by Technical AdvisorEndorsed by Technical Advisor► Course Director ensures scheme is Course Director ensures scheme is

delivered in accordance with policies and delivered in accordance with policies and guidelines laid out in handbook.guidelines laid out in handbook.

► Induct, train and moderate instructorsInduct, train and moderate instructors► Award and record certificatesAward and record certificates

Accreditation and standardsAccreditation and standards

► Course Directors are Course Directors are responsible for ensuring responsible for ensuring standards of awardsstandards of awards

► Levels 2-5 standards must be Levels 2-5 standards must be kept – no set time for kept – no set time for achieving themachieving them

► Candidate database and Candidate database and numbered certificates needed numbered certificates needed for auditing by ABCTTfor auditing by ABCTT

► ABCTT reserves the right to ABCTT reserves the right to moderate and withdraw moderate and withdraw approval from centres.approval from centres.

AdministrationAdministration

►Candidates register with Awarding Candidates register with Awarding CentresCentres

►Awarding Centres are registered with Awarding Centres are registered with ABCTT to deliver specified levelsABCTT to deliver specified levels

►Centres pay annual fee and report to Centres pay annual fee and report to ABCTTABCTT

►Registration forms found on NICAS Registration forms found on NICAS website or website or

►Contact: Contact: anne@nicas.co.uk

NICAS CostsNICAS Costs

► To Candidates:To Candidates: Part 1: £4Part 1: £4 Part 2: £7.50Part 2: £7.50

► This includes This includes registration, log book registration, log book and certificatesand certificates

► Awarding Centre Awarding Centre registration:registration: Levels 1 and 2: £30/ yearLevels 1 and 2: £30/ year Levels 1-4: £50/ yearLevels 1-4: £50/ year

NICAS StatisticsNICAS Statistics

►NICAS Launched as a NICAS Launched as a AchievementAchievement Scheme in 2008 Scheme in 2008

►Started with 23 Primary & 40 Awarding Started with 23 Primary & 40 Awarding Ctr’sCtr’s

►NICAS became an NICAS became an AwardAward Scheme in Scheme in 20122012

►33 Primary Centres & 168 Awarding 33 Primary Centres & 168 Awarding Centres delivering NICAS around the Centres delivering NICAS around the UKUK

►Since 2008 there have been 43,000+ Since 2008 there have been 43,000+ candidates registered with the schemecandidates registered with the scheme

Where are the Where are the future rock stars?future rock stars?