Be among the first to deliver the Global Climbing Standard.
We're selecting climbing centres across the UK, Europe, North America and Asia-Pacific to become part of the first international cohort to deliver GCS live. Selected centres receive full GCS accreditation, the complete five-stage framework for Stages 1 to 5, the GCS digital ecosystem, specialist coach training, a launch-ready communications package and direct support from the GCS team.
What is the Early Access Programme?
The technology is ready. Now we're selecting centres to put the complete Global Climbing Standard into live delivery. Each selected centre becomes fully accredited to deliver the complete GCS framework ahead of wider international rollout.
Early Access centres deliver the five-stage progression framework for Stages 1 to 5 across all six GCS skill domains, supported by the full digital ecosystem: the Centre Console, Coach App, Parent App and Learner Profiles. Early Access covers Stages 1 to 5; the Early Years stage is not part of the programme.
Selecting centres across UK · Europe · North America · Asia-Pacific
What changes when your centre delivers GCS.
GCS is designed to make structured climbing programmes easier to deliver, more commercially viable and easier to quality-control, while strengthening recruitment and retention.
For coaches
The Coach App supports coaches to create high-quality sessions and assess progression as part of live delivery, using a clear five-stage framework across six skill domains.
For parents
Parents receive clear, automated progress communication through the Parent App, giving them greater visibility of what their child is learning without relying on end-of-term updates.
For centres
Progress recorded during sessions reduces time spent on individual parent updates, while the Centre Console supports programme oversight and quality control. Clearer progression and communication can increase the recruitment and retention value of your programme.
Everything you need to deliver GCS from day one.
Full GCS accreditation
Become one of the first centres in the world accredited to deliver the complete Global Climbing Standard.
The complete GCS digital ecosystem
Full access to the Centre Console, Coach App, Parent App and Learner Profiles, supporting delivery from centre management through to individual climber progression.
The five-stage framework (Stages 1 to 5)
Deliver GCS across Stages 1 to 5, with climbers developing across all six GCS skill domains. Early Access covers Stages 1 to 5 only; the Early Years stage is not part of the programme.
Two days of online specialist training
Your coaching team will complete the online Core Standard Workshop and Coach Delivery Workshop on 15 and 16 October 2026, covering the GCS framework, assessment approach, session delivery and use of the Coach App.
A ready-to-use launch package
You won't need to build the communications around GCS from scratch. Early Access centres receive parent email communications, social media collateral, website content, and in-centre posters and launch materials.
Early Access recognition
Your centre will be publicly recognised as part of the first international cohort of centres delivering the Global Climbing Standard.
Direct access to the GCS team
Early Access centres work directly with the GCS team through preparation, training, launch and early delivery, with regular opportunities to share their experience ahead of wider international rollout.
Why an international first cohort?
Because the first GCS cohort has been deliberately designed to be international from the outset. We're selecting centres from four regions, creating live delivery environments across the UK, Europe, North America and Asia-Pacific.
It enables us to see, in real time, across multiple territories, how GCS works in different climbing markets, coaching environments and centre types, while giving the first cohort a meaningful role in the beginning of global GCS delivery.
Four regions. One global standard.
A first cohort that represents the industry.
We want the first GCS cohort to represent different parts of the indoor climbing industry. Applications are welcome from independent climbing centres, multi-site operators and federation-linked facilities across the UK, Europe, North America and Asia-Pacific.
We're looking for centres with strong coaching provision, high safety standards and an ambition to develop their climbing programmes. Centre size isn't what determines selection.
Actively deliver, and share the story.
Being part of the first GCS cohort means actively delivering the standard and sharing your experience of doing so. Selected centres will be expected to:
- Deliver GCS consistently using the complete five-stage framework for Stages 1 to 5 and all six skill domains.
- Have relevant coaching staff complete the online Core Standard Workshop and Coach Delivery Workshop before launch.
- Take part in scheduled check-ins with the GCS team during early delivery.
- Provide feedback from coaches and centre teams to help inform the wider international rollout.
- Support the story of the Early Access Programme through agreed photography, quotes and case-study content.
Key dates.
- 8 September 2026 Applications open
- 30 September 2026 Applications close
- 1 October 2026 Early Access centres selected
- 15 October 2026 Online Core Standard Workshop
- 16 October 2026 Online Coach Delivery Workshop
- 2 November 2026 Early Access centres begin delivering GCS (back to school, Term 2)
Frequently asked questions.
What exactly will Early Access centres deliver?
The complete Global Climbing Standard for Stages 1 to 5. Early Access centres will deliver the full five-stage framework across all six skill domains, supported by the Centre Console, Coach App, Parent App and Learner Profiles. The Early Years stage is not included in the Early Access Programme. The difference is timing: selected centres will be among the first to deliver GCS ahead of wider international rollout.
What does it cost to take part?
There is no cost to take part in the Early Access Programme. Early Access centres will receive GCS accreditation, training, access to the digital ecosystem and launch support at no charge during this phase. When GCS transitions to Regional Partner delivery in your location, the standard Regional Partner sign-on and onboarding costs will apply. We'll communicate these clearly with centres ahead of that transition.
How are Early Access centres selected?
Centres will be selected from across the UK, Europe, North America and Asia-Pacific. We're looking to create a varied first cohort including different centre types and coaching environments. Selection will consider coaching provision, safety standards, readiness to deliver GCS and alignment with the aims of the Early Access Programme.
What training is included?
Each Early Access centre will complete two days of online specialist training on 15 and 16 October 2026 before launch. The Core Standard Workshop covers the GCS framework, five stages, six skill domains and assessment approach. The Coach Delivery Workshop focuses on delivering GCS sessions in practice, using the Coach App and recording participant progression.
How will GCS communicate progress to parents?
Coaches can record participant progress through the Coach App as part of session delivery. Parents can then see feedback and development through the Parent App, giving them greater visibility of progression while reducing the need for centre teams to provide individual updates after sessions.
What launch support do centres receive?
Early Access centres receive ready-to-use communications including parent emails, social media collateral, website content and in-centre materials. You'll also work directly with the GCS team as you prepare to launch.
What happens after Early Access?
Early Access centres will continue as accredited GCS centres as the standard rolls out internationally, with their role as part of the first GCS cohort recognised publicly.
How do we apply?
Complete the Early Access application below before 30 September 2026.
Ready to be among the first?
Climbing centres across four global regions, among the first to deliver GCS. Complete the Early Access application below before 30 September 2026.