NICA GRiT is a national program that aims to increase female participation in the sport of mountain biking by 10% over the next five years with a focus on recruitment and retention of girls and female coaches in NICA leagues. By providing skills development, promoting positive physical health, confidence and self-esteem and providing coach training, NICA’s goal is to provide a fun, safe and competitive environment for young women to excel.
Last month NICA hosted its annual conference in Bentonville, Arkansas. This year’s event brought over 150 leaders together from 22 states and regions to strategize, connect and continue to expand NICA’s efforts to promote youth development through mountain biking across the United States.
As we celebrate ALL our parents this spring – we wanted to give a special shout out to the parents of NICA student-athletes who also volunteer as coaches! Meet Paula, aka “Team Mom” or “Momma Bear.” Paula’s 13-year old son found a passion for mountain biking last year when he joined the Phoenix Trailblazers with the North Carolina League. We caught up with Paula to find out how her son’s passion helped her find her own passion for mountain biking and how she went from sitting in the parking lot during practice to being a NICA Coach!
Last month we announced a Literature Contest with Dirt Rag magazine where we asked student-athletes to tell us how they have been able to develop a strong character through interscholastic cycling with the support of their coach.
We received MANY wonderful entries and after much deliberation selected three winners. Congratulations to Heidi Martin, Griffin Clubb and Sage Flory for their outstanding essays! Meet our winners and read their winning essays below!
Heading to Sea Otter Classic this year? NICA is sponsoring a fun scavenger hunt for student-athletes! Your mission – should you chose to accept it – is to visit NICA Sponsors and Boosters, answer some fun questions or complete a fun task and then win cool prizes!
March is Women’s History Month where we the vital role of women in American history is commemorated and celebrated. Women have played an important role across NICA since its founding and continue to do so as we grow and develop across the country. This month in celebration of Women’s History, we’d like to have you get to know a little more about our inspiring women League Directors!
We think all of our coaches are awesome, so we wanted to hear from the NICA community which coaches you felt have made positive impacts for your team and league. The coaches highlighted here were nominated by their community for their dedication to furthering youth development through interscholastic mountain biking. Thanks to everyone for your input – and we’d like to introduce you to some of our super awesome coaches from all across NICA!
As part of our 2017 Share the Ride Campaign, one lucky new NICA Sustainer won a 2018 trip with Western Spirit Cycling Adventures. Congratulations to our winner – Anne Rock from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania!