Our in-person workshops are hosted by a dedicated team of eight experienced Coach Developers, based around the UK to provide regional coverage. Find out more about their areas of expertise below.
Our NICAS Coach Developers
Stephen Skinner (UK and international)
Based in the South East and London, Skinner is NICAS Products Manager and Head of Coach Development, and has worked at climbing facilities throughout the UK for over two decades. He was previously a Level 5 NICAS Course Director and has managed several comprehensive commercial climbing programmes.
In his current role at NICAS, Skinner is responsible for product development and coach education on an international scale and has delivered coach development training to over 50 climbing centres within the UK.
[Find out more about Skinner]
Specialising in early years content, Skinner developed the NICAS Wild Climbers scheme and believes that early engagement with our sport – as well as fun, creative learning environments – can truly inspire future generations of climbers to become lifelong participants.
Beyond his NICAS responsibilities, Skinner coaches privately and supports GB Climbing athletes within the National Development Squad. He has judged at national competition level and gained further exposure to arena skills at an international standard whilst belaying at an IFSC World Cup.
In 2023, Skinner completed UK Coaching’s Horizon Coach Programme and is currently pursuing both the Youth Strength and Conditioning Association’s (YSCA) Specialist Coach Pathway and the Mountain Training Performance Coach Award.
He is committed to developing our sport and believes that climbing should have talented coaches at all stages of the pathway, from grassroots learners to performance-level athletes.
Colette Bailey (South East England)
Colette is a Level 5 Course Director at The Lock, climbing coach, and trainer for Essex Outdoors.
Melissa Bacon (Central & Southern England)
Melissa is a Course Director at Oxford Brookes climbing wall, a climbing coach and a Mountain Training Provider.
Ben Brooks (South West England)
Ben is a climbing coach and coach educator based in Bristol, and is Course Director at Redpoint Bristol. Having come to climbing relatively late, it very quickly took over his life and moved rapidly from a passion to a career.
Living in the UK where it’s generally wet and being more of a fair-weather climber, the majority of Ben’s early climbing experience was in indoor climbing gyms.
[Find out more about Ben]
This led to a love of exploring movement and sharing this passion with others. Having a young family and therefore limited time, Ben is most often found climbing indoors or training for the rare times he can get out sport climbing in the South West.
As part of the first cohort for the Mountain Training Performance Coach award, Ben is currently focusing on performance coaching and coach education. He runs the BMC FUNdamentals of Climbing courses and is part of the NICAS Coach Development Team via his coaching company – Ben Brooks Coaching. He is also the head coach for Redpoint climbing gym in Bristol.
Ben strives to create a safe environment where climbers can learn movement and technique skills through self-discovery and experimentation. With the coaching philosophy that there is always more to learn, Ben is constantly seeking new information and exploring the latest theories and ideas to become a better coach for his clients.
Jay Jackson (South Coast of England)
Jay started climbing in 1997 and has been active in the outdoor industry since 2004, now holding the Mountaineering & Climbing Instructor and Development Coach awards. A keen outdoor practitioner and educator, his main interest is in supporting those who are excited to explore the limits of their abilities.
Jay is currently a NICAS Technical Expert, one of the GB Paraclimbing team coaches, a BMC Area Youth Coordinator, and a course provider for the Climbing for All workshop, BMC Youth and BMC “Training Essentials” courses.
[Find out more about Jay]
His regular work includes:
- Climbing performance coaching for both competition climbers and rock climbers of all ages and abilities.
- Delivering training and assessment on the Mountain Training climbing and coaching award schemes.
- Running a mentoring programme for developing instructors and those in leadership roles.
- Providing technical advice for walls, clubs, schools and outdoor centres, including specialist consultancy for inclusive and accessible activities.
He has previously worked as a climbing wall manager, boarding house master and teacher, GB Climbing youth team coach, and MTA Mentor, and sat on the AMI committee for a 3-year term as CPD representative.
Danielle Griffith (North Wales & Midlands)
Danielle Griffith is a highly qualified and experienced coach with nearly a decade of experience working with climbers and gymnasts across the whole spectrum of ages and abilities.
As well as being NICAS Course Director at The Boardroom, her experience includes coaching competitive climbing teams and individuals across the UK, including GB athletes on their journey, to improving her performance both indoors and out with her holistic coaching approach.
[Find out more about Danielle]
Danielle regularly coaches all abilities from young Wild Climbers and beginners, all NICAS Climbing and Bouldering levels, as well as SEND, para and high performance athletes. Danielle is particularly interested in the psychological side of performance, running mental skills workshops at climbing events and continuing to learn and grow through the Performance Coach Award, CPD courses and mentorship from sport and clinical psychologists.
Delivering courses across the country, Danielle is a highly regarded coach educator and mentor, delivering fundamental movement and technique courses with education on coach development, youth physical development, injury prevention, athlete and long-term participation development.
Stuart Holmes (North West England)
Stuart is a NICAS Technical Expert, climbing coach, BMC Provider, EP Technical Expert.
Stuart Lyall (Scotland)
Stuart is a Course Director at TCA Glasgow, a climbing coach and a BMC Provider.
Further info
- Find out more about NICAS Workshops, including workshop topics, what to expect, and fees.
- Book a NICAS Workshop – visit our Events page to check future dates and book your in-person workshop.
- Find out more about NICAS Inductions – these can be offered online and are hosted by a member of our Coach Development Team.