Scottish Pathway Programme & CWG Squad
The programme is divided into the Regional Squads, the National Youth &Junior/Under 23 Squad & Commonwealth Games Training Squad.
What are Regional Squads?
The regional squad programme is an athlete’s first introduction to working with the Scottish & BWL Pathway coaching team. Athletes will be guided through progressive learning to increase their understanding of what it takes to succeed in the sport and reinforce the fundamental skills and knowledge to achieve their ambitions.
Who are Regional Squads for?
The squads are for those competing in weightlifting with ambitions to progress into complete British Weightlifters,focusing on their long-term development. Squads are divided into two groups:
Regional Development Squad (Tier 1)
- Age Range: 12-21 years old
- Training Commitment: 3-5 days per week
- Competition Requirement: Compete at least 4 times per year
- Attributes:
- Committed to excelling in the sport long-term
- Leading athletes in their age group
- Dedicated to training, supporting teammates, and open to learning
- Squad Participation: Invited to up to 6 squads per year, with a minimum attendance of 4 squads
- Benefits: Access to the Complete British Weightlifter Level 1 certificate in the first year and Level 2 in the second year
Regional Pathway Squad (Tier 2)
- Age Range: 14-23 years old
- Training Commitment: 4-6 days per week
- Competition Requirement: Compete at least 4 times per year
- Attributes:
- Committed to excelling in the sport long-term
- Leading athletes in their age group
- Dedicated to training, supporting teammates, and open to learning
- Squad Participation: Invited to up to 6 squads per year, with a minimum attendance of 4 squads per year
- Benefits: Access to the Complete British Weightlifter Level 2 certificate
How do I get selected for a Regional Squad?
Weightlifting Scotland & BWL uses the Sport80 system to store essential athlete information and track & monitor their competition progress.
All regional athletes must be BWL members for both insurance and communication purposes.
Squad Requirements:
Regional Development Squad:
- Competition: Compete in at least 4 competitions per year, including the Scottish Junior/U23 and/or Youth Championships & British Age-Group Championships (if eligible)
- Performance Criteria:
- Based on Commonwealth pathway rankings
- Top 12-16 athletes per age group
· Must lift at least 75% of the Commonwealth pathway standards at the age you will turn this year (male standards & female standards). In the event the squads are not full, the next ranked and/or those tracking to achieve this standard within 12 months will be selected
- Expression of Interest: Athletes not currently on the squad should express interest by completing a form by September 1st and competing in a Tier 3 competition before this date, along with the British or Scottish Junior/U23 or Youth Championships.
- Annual Selection: Squads are selected annually in August & September with a second intake/reselection from March of the following year.
- Engagement: Must attend a minimum of 4 squads per year to maintain squad membership
Regional Pathway Squad:
- Competition: Compete in at least 4 competitions per year, including the Scottish Junior/U23 and/or Youth Championships & British Age-Group Championships (if eligible)
- Performance Criteria:
- Based on Commonwealth pathway rankings
- Top 12-16 athletes per age group
- Must lift at least 85% of the Commonwealth pathway standards for their age
- Expression of Interest: Athletes not currently on the squad should express interest by completing a form by September 1st and competing in a Tier 3 competition before this date, along with competing at the British Age Group Championships and Scottish Junior/U23 or Youth Championships.
- Annual Selection: Squads are selected annually in August & September with a second intake/ reselection from March of the following year.
- Engagement: Must attend a minimum of 4 squads per year to maintain squad membership
What is the National Youth & Junior/U23 Squad?
The National programme is designed for athletes who demonstrate behaviours and abilities aligned to potential future international performance.
The purpose of these camps is to bring together the country’s leading athletes to encourage their growth as a team, drive each other towards higher standards of competition and raise their awareness of how to prepare for international competitions. This environment is a lifter’s next step from theregional squads.
Who is the Scotland National Youth & Junior/U23 Squad for?
National Squads are designed for weightlifters who demonstrate early potential to win medals at future Commonwealth Games.
- Age Range: 15-23years old
- Are making regular progress in their competition total in line with the Commonwealth Pathway Standards
- Attributes:
- Committed to excelling in the sport long-term
- Leading athletes in their age group
- Dedicated to training, supporting teammates, and open to learning
- Squad Participation: Invited to up to 4 squads per year and must attend a minimum of 3 squads
These squads take place over two days at the Inverclyde National Sports Centre.
Requirements:
- Competition: Compete in at least 4 competitions per year, including the Scottish Junior/U23 and/or Youth Championships & British Age-Group Championships (if eligible)
- Performance Criteria:some text
- Based on Commonwealth pathway rankings
- Top 12-16 athletes per age group
- Must lift at least 85% of the Commonwealth pathway standards for their age
- Expression of Interest: Athletes not currently on the squad should express interest by completing a form by August 18th.
- Annual Selection: Squads are selected annually in August & September with a 2nd intake/reselection from March of the following year.
- Engagement: Must attend a minimum of 4 squads per year to maintain squad membership
Commonwealth Games Training Squad
What is the Commonwealth Games Training Squad?
The Commonwealth Games Training Squad programme is designed for athletes who continue to demonstrate behaviours and abilities aligned to potential future international performance. The purpose of these squads is to bringtogether the country’s leading athletes to encourage their growth as a team and raise their awareness of developing into a medal winning potential for the next Commonwealth Games and onto further senior events.
Who is the Commonwealth Games Training Squad for?
The camps are designed for weightlifters who continue to demonstrate potentialto win medals at future Commonwealth Games.
- Athletes are usually Junior/U23 or Senior Age
- Are making regular progress in their competition total
- Are demonstrating continued commitment to the sport (over 5 years)
- Are the leading athletes in Scotland who demonstrate high standards ofpotential, performance and behaviour, support their teammates and are open tolearning.
Squads take place from Friday-Saturday at Inverclyde National Sports Centre four times per year.
Please submit an application of interest by August 18th here.
Pathway Staff
John McEwan – Performance Pathway Coach,contact: performance@weightliftingscotland.com
Danny Nye – Pathway Coach, contact: dannynye@hotmail.com
Lesley Brown – Pathway Coordinator &Physiotherapist lesley.brown@weightliftingscotland.com
Kristian McPhee – BWL Lead Pathway Coach,contact: kristian.mcphee@britishweightlifting.org
General Pathway Enquiries can be sent to Scotland Pathway Coordinator Lesley Brown at Lesley.brown@weightliftingscotland.com
