Todays Conversation History and overview of the MN League Introduction to NICA Season timeline Race formats courses typical race weekend Fees and expenses Coaching and licensing How parents are involved ID: 652178
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Slide1
High School Mountain Bike Racing in MinnesotaSlide2
Today’s Conversation
History and overview
of the MN
LeagueIntroduction to NICASeason timelineRace formats, courses, typical race weekendFees and expensesCoaching and licensingHow parents are involvedNext steps Slide3
Minnesota League Overview
A project chapter of NICA
753
student-athletes range from 7-12 gradeOver 350 coachesState wideCore ValuesInclusive Equality Strong body
Strong mind
Strong characterSlide4
Minnesota League History
02/2009 – The concept was discussed, work started
09/2010 – A bid was submitted to NICA
03/2011 – NICA approved the bid for the Minnesota LeagueFall 2012155 racers, 15 teams, 4 racesFall 2013325 racers, 26 teams, 5 racesFall 2014550 racers, 42 teams, 5 racesFall 2015753 racers, 51 teams, 5 racesSlide5
What is NICA?
NICA stands for the National Interscholastic Cycling Association
NICA a nonprofit based in Berkeley, CA
Founded in 2009 to govern the development of statewide high school mountain bike racing programsProvide professional race equipment, process, insurance and licensureNICA oversees high school mountain bike racing in CA (NorCal, SoCal), TX, MN, UT, NY, TN, AZ, GA, AL, VA, ID, NV, CO, WI, PA, AR, NC, NJOver 7,500 student-athletes and
3,500
coaches nationwide
“This is really impressive! The program is well run and looks better than national races I’ve attended. This is going to grow like crazy.”
High
School Administrator, District 196Slide6
Season Timeline
Leaders Summit
–
April 16-17Teams Form – SpringPractice Starts – July 1Racing Schedule: Race 1-Sept. 11 Race 2-Sept. 18 Race 3-Oct. 2 Race 4-Oct.
9
Race
5-Oct. 16
Championship-Oct.
2
9-30
Awards
Banquet
– Nov.
6Slide7Slide8
Race Weekend
Friday:
-Venue preparationSaturday: - Course set up 7 am to 1pm - Pre-ride 1 to 4 pmSunday: - Pit Zone open by 7 am - Pre-Ride from 8 to 8:45 am - 9:00 Middle School races - 10:00 Girls Varsity, JV, Soph & Freshmen - 12:00 Boys Soph & Freshmen - 2:00 Boys Varsity & JV - Awards around
4:30 pmSlide9
Races Courses
Courses
~ 4-mile laps
Mostly single track, with passing zonesClimbing 250/400 ft. per lapUphill starts/finish spread racers out intentionallyFenced through start/finish, pit areaFeed
Zones clearly
marked
Chip
timing provide accurate results
Courses
routed to provide visibility for coaches and parentsSlide10
Categories
Middle School – one lap (under 30 minutes)
Freshmen/
Soph – two laps (40 minutes)Junior Varsity – three laps (60 minutes)Varsity – 4+ laps (80+ minutes)Race category based on performance, petitions allowedOpening races flatter, with fewer technical challengesSeason Championship race lots of climbing and technical elementsSlide11
Teams and Scoring
Students can race:
As
independentsAs part of a high school teamComposite team; racers from several schoolsTeams with girls score more pointsDivision structure, similar sized teams compete against one-another Awards: - Individuals - Team scoringAll student-athletes race. All athletes count towards the team.Slide12
Team Types
High school based team
All racers from a single high school
Example - Minnetonka, Hopkins, Duluth East H.S.Composite teamRacers come from 3 or 4 high schools from a certain areaExample - Mankato Composite, Northwest CompositeTeam Management – some teams have used Community Ed departments to launch teams, hire coaches, bundle fees, etc.Slide13
Quick Look at Fees
Student Athletes:
$50 to join the MN League (provides insurance)
$40 per race (scholarships available)Parent Helpers - $25 Background Check FeeCoaches: $25 fee to join the MN League $25 Background Check FeeTeam Registration: $125 for teams under 12 racers $250 for teams with more than 12 racersSlide14
Coaching
NICA has a required licensing program for coaches:
Head Coach
Assistant CoachRide LeaderMinimum requirement of anyadult/parent working with the team is a background check.Slide15
Coaching Cont.
Typically a team will have 3 or 4 parents who are mountain bike racers or cyclists
Often a Nordic or Alpine coach is interested in
coachingMany teams started with interested parents that lacked cycling or racing backgroundAttending Leaders Summit a great way to secure most requirementsLeaders Summit agenda:One day session for Ride Leaders and Team DirectorsTwo day sessions for Assistant Coaches, Head CoachesSlide16
Coaching Cont.
Ride Leader
Practices often include riding to a trail on public roadways
Ride Leader helps keep new “road” riders safeAssistant CoachMight have mtb racing backgroundMay not have worked with teenage youth/girlsCan focus on specific group (girl coach for girl racers)Head CoachProbably has been a head coach for other sportsOversees practices, race day decisions, attends Pre-Race Meeting
Often a modest payment for time and responsibilitySlide17
Non-Coaching Volunteers
Help students form a team at the high school
Typically school will require parent or teacher to lead effort
Teams exist as a “club” like Chess Club or DebateNo long term commitment – just help get things goingAct as liaison for connecting people, sponsors, bike shopHelp by becoming a Team DirectorHelp register racers, pay fees, track results, contact info, Online data base called Pit ZoneOn race day, help with team logistics at eventRequires One Day session at Leaders SummitSlide18
Non-Coaching Volunteers
3. Help with background, non-race day tasks:
Help with fundraising efforts
Help as the team treasurerHelp with communications, logistics4. Help on race dayFood prepGear managementWarm-up procedures, stagingSlide19
Race Crew
Race crew volunteers who set up and run race
Depending on venue,
60-100 people to staff eventCould volunteer when athlete is not racing2 or 3 hour simple tasksCrowd controlStagingRegistration/Volunteer check-inEMT/Medical support
Course m
arshalsSlide20
Jersey Policy
MN League has an annual “official jersey”
These come with NICA national sponsor logos
Two versions of MN League official jersey:Leader’s Jersey – worn by class leadersJersey without “Leader” sold/given to teams to sell (no race use)MN League Policy for Race Jerseys/KitsNo company or manufacturer’s logos on racing jerseysJerseys worn on race day can only have name of high school or mascot
Small jersey manufacturers logos ok
Goal to make high school mountain biking an official school sportSlide21
Jersey ExampleSlide22
Next Steps
Host a 1
st
general info meeting to identify interested racers, parents, coaches, etc.Assemble list of interested peopleIdentify roles for interested parentsAgree on date for 2nd meetingFigure out type of team, connection to school or Comm EdHost a 2nd “Calling All Racers” meeting
Get contact info, find out who needs bikes, background, etc.
Show
Singletrack
High – maybe as fundraiser?
Identify potential coaches, figure out practice sites
Get article in local paper announcing team/recruiting racersSlide23
Next Steps (cont.)
Develop
connection with bike shop(s)
Try It Out SessionsMN League has trailer full of mountain bikes so potential racers can try out mountain bikesWeekdays in June and JulyHosted events for out-state regionsRace 4 Free dates TBDMinnesota Mountain Bike Series will announce dates
www.mnmtbseries.com
for more info
High school students can race in the Citizen class for free
Great way to see courses, bikes, talk to racersSlide24
A Word About Our Athletes
Wide range of student-athletes
30% female participation and growing
Many are not ball and stick participantsIf past team experience, generally not positiveKids “adrift” in school or sports find the league to be social and a place to build self-esteem“I can’t tell you how happy we are with this league. We’ve tried so many things with our son that never fit. He loves this and now rides his bike every day. He can’t wait for the races. We bought mountain bikes, too!” Mother of a Prior Lake racerSlide25
Testimonials
“At
Erik's, we think the NICA leagues are an awesome investment in the future of mountain biking. Not only is it a great sport for these high school students , but we see entire families getting into the sport due to their kids involvement. It's a great combination
!”-Erik Saltvold, Owner and Founder, Erik’s Bikes and BoardsSlide26
Testimonials (cont.)
Gary
and the NICA Team have done an outstanding job at starting up a new high school sport that I expect to thrive. I could not be more pleased with their work to provide kids with the opportunity to participate in a new and different sport that is welcoming of beginner athletes and something they can participate in for a lifetime.
-Jerry Pomije, QBP CFOSlide27
FAQ
Can I letter?
Do I have to quit my Fall sport?
Isn’t it expensive?What if I don’t have a bike?Is it dangerous?Slide28
Think about this…Slide29
Contact Information
Josh Kleve
Minnesota High School Cycling League
League DirectorJoshua@Minnesotamtb.orgPH: 612-481-4081www.minnesotamtb.org