NICA GRiT
Nikki Peterson, Nevada North League Director, co-led a GRiT Ride with NorCal Coaches and NICA Alum Kate Courtney. It was a day dedicated to inspiring girls, making connections, and just having fun! Check out her story below.
At NICA, we believe that cycling has the power to transform lives, and we are committed to making cycling accessible to everyone. The GRiT program is an integral part of this mission, as it seeks to increase female participation in mountain biking and create a supportive community for girls who ride. From group rides and skills clinics to races and competitions, the GRiT program offers girls and women a wide range of opportunities to experience the thrill and excitement of cycling.
NICA coaches are trained to emphasize values like teamwork, sportsmanship, and mutual respect, and to create an environment where athletes feel supported and encouraged to take risks and push themselves to achieve their goals. This includes recognizing and celebrating the achievements of all athletes, regardless of their level of ability or performance, and encouraging athletes to support each other through both successes and setbacks.
March is Women’s History Month, a collection of days where we honor the trailblazing women who came before us. It has been a historic decade for American women in cycling, and the NICA community has rallied around the mantra: More Girls on Bikes!
NICA introduced a new generation of female cyclists to the sport. Now, they’re giving back to the programs that started it all.
In celebration of Asian American – Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we’re highlighting Mia Fox, a NICA Coach and West Virginia GRiT Coordinator who plays a key role in the West Virginia NICA Community and also strives to be a role model for young women and women of color across West Virginia.
Currently, girls represent 20% of NICA’s overall national student-athlete participation. NICA GRiT (Girls Riding Together) seeks to increase that number significantly over the next five years. The GRiT Program is NICA’s effort to recruit and retain more girls and female coaches in NICA programs.
If you could only use two words to describe someone, enthusiastic and determined would be the top two for Idaho League GRiT Ambassador, Emma Hurst. A talented athlete, Emma took 5th place overall in Varsity Girls as a junior and served as team captain and a GRiT Ambassador.