2. What is the Minnesota High
School Cycling League?
The Minnesota High School Cycling League was organized in 2010 to provide
mountain biking programs for students in grades 9 to 12.
•The League is the governing body for high school (grades 9-12) cross-country
mountain biking for the entire state of Minnesota.
•The League is a project league of the National Interscholastic Cycling
Association (NICA).
•The League provides support and structure for high school cross-country
mountain biking.
•The League is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
•The League is a self-governing, self-funded, and self supported program
that partners with high schools.
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3. Our Mission
NICA is built on youth development
principles that are the foundation
of a movement that’s fun, exciting,
relevant and enriching to high
school student-
athletes. Specifically, NICA’s five
core principles are:
•Inclusivity
•Equality
•Strong Mind
•Strong Body
•Strong Character
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4. History
• NorCal High School Cycling League
– 2001 NorCal League was founded
– 2012 700+ racers and 60 clubs
• SoCal High School Cycling League
– 2008 SoCal League was founded with grant from Easton Foundations
– 2008 100+ racers and 14 clubs
– 2012 350+ racers and 33 clubs
• National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA)
– 2009 NICA was founded with grant from Easton Foundations
• Colorado High School Cycling League
– 2010 Colorado League was founded
– 2012 350+ racers and 30 clubs
• Washington High School Cycling League
– 2010 Washington League was founded
– 2011 80+ racers and 20 clubs
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5. Annual Schedule
Spring 2012
•Students, with help of parents and teachers, form teams as a school “club”
•Parents, teachers, coaches begin process of being licensed by NICA
– Leaders Summit April 21/22
•Teams form and start recruiting riders in April and May
•Preseason group rides and informal practices start May 1st
Summer 2012
•Rider Camps (Beginning, Girls Camp, Open) held in June and July
•Practice races held at 4 locations as part of the Minnesota Mountain Bike Series
•Official Team Practices start in August
Fall 2012
•Four race series – Sept. 9, Sept. 23, Oct. 7, Oct. 28 (Season Championship)
•Awards Banquet in November
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6. Practices & Skills
• Practice schedule is determined by coaches
– Once or twice during the week after school
– Longer ride on the weekend
• Skills development
– Riders of all levels are welcome and encouraged
– Focus on safe bike handling skills
– Fitness training
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7. Race Day
What you can expect from the League:
•Saturday pre-ride: Course open for riders and coaches
•Sunday race day: A fun day for everyone. Bring your family and cowbell!
•Safety including:
– Well marked course
– EMTs on site
– Fixed Course Marshals
– Sweep Marshals
•Individual podiums every race
•Team podiums every race
•ALL RIDERS ARE CHEERED! Cowbells, cowbells, cowbells.
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8. Racing Categories & Scoring
• Team Scoring
- Division 1 Teams (≥ 12 riders)
- Division 2 Teams (< 12 riders)
Combination of boys and girls
results are used.
• Individual Scoring
- Freshman
- Sophomore
- Junior Varsity
- Varsity
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9. How Much Does It Cost?
•Schools
– No costs to schools to form teams
– Teams are self-funded
– Insurance for teams, riders, and coaches is provided by NICA
•Students
– $50 to register a student/rider
– $40 per race
– Scholarships are available for all students in need
•Adults (Coach, Asst. Coach, Ride Leader, Volunteer)
– $25 + required background check
Any of these costs can be offset by sponsorship and fundraising by the team.
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10. Coach License
Program
NICA program for all adult volunteers
•Must pass background check through TC Logiq
•Education: Leaders’ Summits and NICA’s online webinars
provide education
– Topics range from Risk Management to Tips for Coaching Girls to the
Positive Coaching Alliance’s Double-Goal Coach.
•First Aid: CPR and first aid requirements
–Basic First Aid or Wilderness First Aid are required, depending on license level
•Continuing Education: coaches must engage in ongoing education to
ensure up-to-date best practices are employed
Contact Tyler Dibble (tyler@nationalmtb.org) or go to www.nationalmtb.org/coaches-
license-program for more info
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11. Insurance Coverage
Insurance provided to all registered teams, licensed coaches and registered student
athletes
General Liability for Clubs (Schools can be added as additionally insured)
•$1,000,000 Each Occurrence
•$2,000,000 Aggregate/Club
•$500,000 Each Claim – Sexual Abuse and Molestation
•$500,000 Aggregate Limit
Accident Medical
•$25,000 Each Person – Excess Accident Medical
•Deductible: None
•Accidental Death: $10,000
•Volunteer Coverage: Yes
Events
•$1,000,000 Each Occurrence
•$2,000,000 Aggregate per Event
•No annual aggregate
•Accident Medical:
•$25,000 Each Person – Excess Accident Medical
•Deductible: None
•Accidental Death: $10,000
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12. Risk Management
• The League promotes a systematic approach to proactively managing risk
associated with our sport and programs
• WHY?
– To do our absolute best to protect out student-athletes from harm;
– To mitigate the potential for injury and loss;
– To protect ourselves and our programs from litigation;
– To ensure we are in alignment with the best practices in the field;
– To run quality programs that attract and retain participants
• Legal Issues covered by League risk management education
– Duty of Care
– Negligence (basic/simple, gross/reckless)
– Breach of Care
– Waivers/Releases
– Inherent Risk
– Assumption of Risk
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13. Risk Management (cont’d)
Prevention
The League’s Risk Management education puts strong emphasis on effective program
planning and preparation.
•Risks associated with Cross-Country Mountain Biking
Minor and/or major injuries Inclement weather. Becoming lost on bike rides Mechanical malfunction
and illness
Risks associated with speed Collision or interference Improper nutrition and Riding on challenging terrain
between other trail users hydration and in traffic
•Planning and Preparation includes:
– Relationship Building
– Accurate Marketing of the sport to new participants
– Honest information exchange
– Background Checks for staff/adult volunteers
– Release & Assumption of Risk Forms
– Proper Reporting
– Medical Conditions Knowledge
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14. Risk Management (cont’d)
Prevention with Riders and Staff Preparedness Education
• Adequate Conditioning • First Aid Training
• Skills instruction & Skills Checks • Emergency Action Plan
• Rules & Enforcement • Knowing what number to call in an
• Terrain & Ride Selection emergency (often not 911)
• Equipment (Bikes & Helmets) • Know your route, including shortcuts
• Appropriate Dress home
• Hydration, Food and Medications • Educate Riders, Staff and Parents
• Coaching Ratios (6:1 or 8:2)
• Safe Ride Formation
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15. Contacts
Founding Chair National Interscholastic Cycling
Minnesota League Association (NICA)
Gary Sjoquist Tyler Dibble, Associate Director
gary@minnesotamtb.org tyler@nationalmtb.org
(612) 386-9630 (510) 524-5464
www.minnesotamtb.org www.nationalmtb.org
MN League Coaching Coordinator
Bruce Martens
bruce56082@yahoo.com
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Editor's Notes
Thank participants for attendingIntroduce self
****************************** SECTION 1 ****************************** CLUB SPORT. Does not affect school athletic budget.
NICA is built on youth development principles that are the foundation of a movement that’s fun, exciting, relevant and enriching to high school student-athletes. Specifically, NICA’s five core principles are:o Inclusivity - All student athletes are encouraged to participate. No one is “benched”. 83% of NICA student-athletes reported that their coach did a “great job” creating a positive, safe and inclusive team environment.o Equality - Female and Male student-athletes are treated equally. Team scores are a combination of male and female points, which is unique in high school sports. This approach encourages student-athletes to work with the opposite sex in a fun and supportive environment.o Strong Mind - Student-athletes are students first. NICA leadership and programs encourage academic excellence. More than half of NICA’s Student-Athletes have a 3.5 GPA or higher, 85% will go to a 4 year College or University and 1/3 reported academic improvement when they joined the League.o Strong Body - Improving fitness and wellness are at the center of NICA training and education. 95% of NICA student-athletes survey respondents reported that their health and physical fitness improved when they joined the League.o Strong Character - NICA programs and leadership teaches student-athletes to work hard, respect others and give back to their teams and communities.
In 1998 Matt Fritzinger, Math teacher at Berkeley High put up a flyer to start a cycling club at school. Kids joined and starting riding after school.Kids wanted to take it a step further and start racing. Did local races.Soon other high school clubs formed.In 2001 Matt created the NorCal League – racing for high school students.Ridership swelled to 800 riders!In 2008 founded the SoCal League.In 2009 Easton Foundations Grant allowed the formation of NICA. NICA MISSION IS COAST TO COAST BY 2020.In 2010 Colorado launched.In 2011 Washington is launching (3rd State)In 2012 Texas will launch and sometime after than Minnesota.RIGHT NOW THERE ARE NEARLY 1000 HIGH SCHOOL KIDS RACING MOUNTAIN BIKES
May want to discuss what a typical training consists of.2x per week: week day after soon (spin class, drills in local park, core workouts) + weekend trail ride
This is special – it’s all about the kids. They don’t have to share the course with adults (they aren’t just an added time slot in a local race).
Division I Teams ≥ 12 ridersDivision II Teams < 12
Team registration fee – covers team insuranceAdult registration fee – covers individual insuranceStudent registration fee – covers costs of a highly developed coaching program and skills program.Race Fee – offsets cost of putting on the races