Women's Climbing Symposium 2016

Tickets go on sale and venue announced for 6th annual Women’s Climbing Symposium

Tickets are now on sale for the 2016 Women’s Climbing Symposium (WCS) which takes place on Saturday 8th October at Manchester’s newest climbing venue, The Depot.

Since its inception in 2011, the WCS is now a firm feature of the climbing events calendar, touring to a different venue each year to connect, inspire and develop women’s climbing through collective climbing experiences, the latest research and the best coaching.

Conceived by pro-climber Shauna Coxsey, who is currently representing Great Britain in the the IFSC World Cup and has just won gold in the first round, together with Stephanie Meysner, the WCS began as a response to tackle the similar barriers described by female climbers as having a limiting effect on their ability to progress in the sport.

WCS Co-Director Shauna Coxsey says: ‘With access to top climbing coaches and leading female figures in sport, it is no surprise that over the last five years the WCS has attracted attendees from all across Europe. We are incredibly excited to bring the event to Manchester this year and will be announcing the full programme over the next few months.’

Depot Manager Tom Newman says: "Depot Manchester are proud to be hosting this year’s Women's Climbing Symposium. We couldn't be happier to be part of such a great event"

Selling out each year, the one-day event has been fronted by a roster of top sporting talent over the years, including legendary climber Catherine Destivelle, downhill mountain bike racing champion, Rachel Atherton and UK climbers Hazel Findlay, Michaela Tracy, Mina Leslie-Wujastyk and Leah Crane.

Co-director of the WCS is Emma Flaherty, who joined Shauna last year, helping to build on the strength of the event which this week was announced as a finalist in the Women’s Sports Trust #BeAGameChanger Awards. Determined by a public vote open now and closing on 1st May, the award recognises individuals and organisations progressing women’s sport.

WCS Co-Director Emma Flaherty says: “Climbing has never been more popular and women's participation in the sport is greater than ever before. Therefore, the role of the WCS is more important than ever before - enabling women to make sure they have a full and enriched experience of this amazing sport”

Emma has also just been appointed as the BMC’s new Vice President and among other tasks will work closely with the BMC Women’s Development Group.

To buy tickets and for the latest announcements visit www.womensclimbingsymposium.com and follow us on facebook and @womenclimbs on twitter.

Read our report on last year's event here.