Mums step off the side-lines at Monmouthshire climbing club

Mynydd Du Climbing and Mountaineering Club is helping get local mums off the side-lines and join their families on the climbing wall. 

With support from National Lottery funding via Sport Wales, the club has invested in equipment to keep costs low and make climbing more accessible for local families. 

And it's help them tackle the gender gap in sport participation. Because of families taking to the cliff faces, more mums are being encouraged to strap into climbing harnesses, improve their confidence, enjoy themselves and even become instructors. 

An accessible, family-friendly club 

Set up by Mark Hopkinson and Brett Mahoney in 2023, Mynydd Du Climbing and Mountaineering Club was created to make opportunities for local families to be active outdoors.  

The club organises: 

• monthly outdoor family climbing sessions 
• indoor climbing sessions at climbing centres 
• climbing-filled camping weekends, including a recent trip to France 

But climbing can be an expensive sport. Mark and Brett were determined to make sure that families could get involved without cost being a barrier.  

With National Lottery Be Active Wales funding via Sport Wales, the club has bought: 

• helmets 
• harnesses 
• ropes 
• bouldering mats  
• other climbing equipment 

This means families can take part without having to find the money for costly equipment themselves.

Helping mums get involved 

The club noticed that despite attracting flocks of children to the club, there was still a missing group of people: mums. 

They were spending the sessions watching from the side-lines. But by creating a family-friendly environment and encouraging parents to have a go, more mums have started scaling rocks and cliffs. 

Hannah Cox: from side-lines to scaling walls 

One of those is Hannah Cox, a 36-year-old mum of three. She had been struggling with keeping active since having children. Making time with young children always wanting her attention was difficult. She had tried a few different activities, but nothing had stuck. 

Her husband, Rob suggested going to the Mynydd Du climbing club as a family. And now they are all taking on the walls with smiles on their faces. 

Because of the club's family-friendly approach, Hannah can go to the club whenever she likes. There’s always someone to watch her three year old, Morris, while she climbs. There’s no need to check diaries or schedule times.  

As beginners, the family love improving together and sharing advice and tips. Their youngest child even started climbing as soon as he was able to walk.

Building confidence and skills 

Hannah has fallen in love with climbing. But it has helped her beyond enjoyment and physical activity. 

It has helped her: 

• gain more confidence 
• feel a new sense of achievement 
• develop problem-solving skills on the walls  
• conquer height-jitters 
• set goals for the future 

She now hopes to qualify as a climbing wall instructor and a mountain leader so she can support others at the club the same way she has been.

Reaching new heights 

By removing cost barriers for families and creating a supportive environment, Mynydd Du Climbing and Mountaineering Club is helping more mums get involved in climbing.  

And with support from National Lottery funding, a usually expensive sport is now more accessible than ever. What started as an affordable way for families to try a new activity is now helping mums like Hannah build confidence and find enjoyment on a climbing wall.