The National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) expects to triple the number of high school mountain bike coaches it has licensed in 2012 by working with people who want to start independent clubs outside the six states where it has sanctioned leagues. The expansion could greatly accelerate the development of high school MTB leagues in the eastern United States.
In 2011, NICA trained more than 250 people, including 127 new coaches, bringing to 500 the number it has licensed across the United States.
In 2012, NICA expects to license 1,000 coaches through its Indie Clubs Program, which trains coaches who want to start clubs beyond California, Colorado, Texas, Washington, Minnesota and Utah, where it has already sanctioned high school leagues.
NICA’s program includes modules on cycling specific wilderness first aid training; learning how to teach “on-the-bike” skills to absolute beginners; continuing education requirements; training on how to minimize and manage risk; and background checks.
Leaders’ Summits and wilderness first aid courses will take place this spring in Utah, Minnesota and Colorado, and this fall in, Northern California, Southern California, Texas, Washington, and New Mexico. The summits are open to aspiring and existing coaches in all 50 states. NICA will also be hosting two Leaders' Summit on the east coast this summer (more details to follow).
NICA offers travel scholarships to highly motivated individuals who are making progress in developing new state or regional leagues.
NICA was created in 2009 to promote the development of interscholastic Mountain Biking Leagues throughout the United States. Founding sponsors include Specialized Bicycle Components, as well as Easton Foundations, SRAM, Trek Bicycles, Clif Bar and Co., Primal Wear, Shimano, GU Sports, Kinetic, Maxxis, adidas Eyewear, CamelBak, Crank Brothers, Dirt Rag, Feedback Sports, Fort Lewis College, Fox Racing Shox, Mellow Johnny's, Mountain Bike Action, QBP, Ritchey Designs, WTB, and Yakima.
