The National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA), which is launching high school mountain biking leagues nationwide, is working with the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency’s (USADA) initiative TrueSport to help students develop as athletes while fostering a culture of clean competition and integrity in cycling.
The collaboration kicks off by equipping NICA member coaches with the TrueSport coaching education course, enabling them to expand their continuing education knowledge base. The course is a self-guided, online series of three modules, accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Coaching Education (NCACE), includes a library of additional resources for enhanced and ongoing learning. Modules cover the topics of:
- Developing a Coaching Philosophy and Ethics;
- Understanding Supplements and Energy Drinks;
- and Navigating Performance-Enhancing Substances.
Travis T. Tygart, USADA's chief executive officer, said this type of grassroots impact is exactly what USADA envisioned in creating the TrueSport initiative.
- contributing expert content for the NICA coaches manual, as well as coaching curriculum tools to be used for sport and life training on and off the trail/road/track,
- providing TrueSport publications, as well as online and interactive resources, for parents, coaches, and athletes to support the ideals of NICA and TrueSport in developing healthy and ethical life choices, as well as strong bodies, strong minds and strong character,
- delivering timely, relevant and valuable information on these key themes through NICA coaches newsletters, member publications, and social media,
- partnering on TrueSport Athlete Ambassador appearances and presentations by well-known cyclists, featuring profound stories of athletic and personal journeys, and
- teaming up at competitions and events to bring TrueSport materials and philosophies to young competitors and their parents, coaches, trainers, and other entourage members.
Powered by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), TrueSport is an initiative that equips parents, coaches, youth, educators, and athletes to cultivate, champion, and uphold sportsmanship and the positive life lessons that sport teaches. USADA’s vision is “to be the guardian of the values and life lessons learned through sport” and its mission is, in part, “to inspire present and future generations of U.S. athletes through initiatives that impart the core principles of true sport.”