Idaho School Info Packet

2016
S C H O L A S T I C I N F O R M AT I O N PA C K E T
A NOTE TO OUR
PROSPECTIVE
SCHOLASTIC
PARTNERS
The Idaho Interscholastic Cycling
by working with well trained coaches
League (Idaho League) is a 501(c)(3)
to set and achieve physically and
youth development organization
mentally demanding goals through a
operating as a Project League of the
sport that can be enjoyed both
National Interscholastic Cycling
competitively and recreationally well
League (NICA). Established in 2014,
past high school, NICA is equipping
the Idaho League is dedicated to
today’s youth to become tomorrow’s
building relationships in Idaho
leaders both on and off the bike.
communities that help promote
healthy lifestyles in middle and high
Unlike traditional school sports, the
school youth, grades 6-12, through
Idaho League provides athletic
the life long sport of cycling.
opportunity to student-athletes of all
skill levels and all socioeconomic
With 19 leagues operating across 18
backgrounds. Any child who wants to
states, NICA has very quickly
participate is welcome to join their
established the foundation for cycling
local team. If the child does not have
to become a mainstream
proper gear or cannot afford to
interscholastic sport. NICA has shown
purchase equipment necessary to
that cycling can be used by schools
participate, the Idaho League is
to effectively engage adolescents,
dedicated to helping provide the
helping them confront and overcome
necessary items through our network
the challenges of growing-up in
of community based gear donation
today’s complicated world. Moreover,
centers and scholarships.
HIGH SCHOOL
C YC L
ING LEAGUE
Why are we still telling
students to sit on the
sidelines when every athlete
deserves to compete. NICA
develops these athletes as
good as any other organization
and gives them the tools
to be fit for life.
Scott Craft, Athletic Director
Rim of the World High School
California
Photo : Adam Haynes
NICA’S CORE
PRINCIPLES
NICA’s five core principles are fully integrated into the programs,
resources and staff support for leagues, coaches and
student-athletes. Improving fitness and wellness are at the center
of NICA training and education. We’re a youth development
organization, building Strong Minds, Bodies and Character,
guided by the principals of Inclusivity and Equality.
• NICA student-athletes are students
• All student-athletes are encouraged
first; more than half of NICA’s
to participate. There are no try-outs;
student-athletes have a 3.5 GPA or
no one is “benched”.
higher and 85% will go to a 4-year
college or university.
• All student-athletes are treated
equally. Team scores are a
• NICA programs and leadership
combination of male and female
teaches student-athletes to work hard,
points. Everyone earns points;
respect others and give back to their
everyone contributes to the
teams, communities and the environment.
success of the team.
OUR VISION
The Idaho Interscholastic Cycling League provides safe and high
quality school-based mountain bike programs. The Idaho League
is responsible for establishing a climate that will:
Photo : Chris McNaught
• Provide students who have the
• Develop an awareness of what it is
• Foster a responsible attitude
desire to mountain bike with the
to be an amateur athlete that is both
toward the use of trails and
coaching and camaraderie that will
gracious and respectful to their
wilderness.
help them achieve both competitive
community.
and non-competitive cross-country
• Promote the value of cycling to our
mountain biking goals in a safe and
• Guide students towards learning
community as a mode of
enjoyable manner.
new skills and disciplines, and
transportation and as a life long
spread the foundations of mountain
sport.
• Create an environment in which
they may discover new friendships
and find role models.
bike racing across the U.S.
THE IDAHO
LEAGUE
MORE THAN JUST A RACING PROGRAM
In 2015, the Idaho League organized four race weekends for the
student-athletes in the fall season. However, the Idaho League is
about much more than racing a bike. The culture of our league has
been built around the time coaches and student-athletes spend on
team building and practice, skills clinics, safety and riding etiquette,
trail maintenance and overall camaraderie building. The Idaho
League, at its foundation, is a youth development organization;
building strong characters, strong minds and strong bodies is at the
heart of what we do.
“Try It Out” And
“Loaner Bike” Programs
For the 2016 season, the Idaho
League will offer two programs
TRY
IT
OUT
designed to give potential
student-athletes the opportunity to
discover the sport of cycling without
any commitment or financial
Photo : Chris McNaught
obligation. The “Try It Out” program
allows kids, their parents and
coaches the chance to test-ride a
bike. The “Loaner Bike” program
Coaching Education
and Licensing
addresses student-athletes who are in
financial hardship by loaning them a
mountain bike for the season.
• Annual Leaders’ Summit, includes
both classroom and on-bike training.
• Background checks.
Coming spring
2016
• Wilderness First Aid, CPR and
concussion training.
• Free online courses
Photo : Adam Haynes
and webinars.
Girls on Bikes
• Community outreach specific to
getting more girls on bikes.
• Organized girls-only rides
and skills clinics.
Skills Clinics
Photo : Tami Reed
• Certified league coaches and
assistants provide spot-on training for
student-athletes of all skill levels.
• Emphasis on proper skill, technique
and a healthy approach to riding
and racing.
Special Events
First annual Coaches Retreat: NICA
certified volunteer coaches are the
backbone of our youth development
programs. These community leaders will
be subsidized to attend a 3-day team
building retreat.
Photo : Adam Haynes
Photo : Adam Haynes
Photo : Tami Reed
RACING
2015 VS. 2016
• Four-race series held in the
private and public lands
fall school sports season
(August - October)
• Courses similar to XC running
events - safety of athletes is the #1
• Every race featured a pit-zone
priority
for teams and neutral support
• Professional EMS on-site for all
• 253 registered student-athletes
events
(212 high school, 41 middle school)
• 10+ course marshals provided
• 50 girls and 203 boys
constant communication with league
staff and assistance to athletes during
• 400+ attendees per race
competitions
• 80% of student-athletes had no
• Scholarships were provided through
prior racing experience
an application process for athletes
with financial needs
2015
• Events took place on permitted
2016
• Five-race series held in the fall
• 800+ expected attendees per race
school sports season
(August - October)
• 50% of student-athletes will have no
prior racing experience
• 400 expected registered
student-athletes (high school and
• Continued emphasis on safety as
middle school)
the #1 priority. Professional EMS
service and robust course marshal
• Continued scholarships granted to
student-athletes in financial hardship
presence on-site
NEED TO KNOW
INSURANCE
NICA supplies insurance via McKay Insurance to all registered Idaho League
student-athletes, coaches, team events and league events.
SCHOLASTIC SEASON
The Idaho League operates similar to other fall sports: April 1 through June 30 is
pre-season with limited activities. July 1 through mid-October is in-season with up to 4
practices per week. Races start at the end of August and finish mid-October. Off-season
runs Nov 1 through March 31 with no activities, events or practices allowed.
SAFEGUARDS
Yes, mountain biking is inherently a risky sport. However, risk management principles guide every NICA
League activity from team training to league races. Furthermore, background checks and CDC Heads Up
concussion certifications are required before adults can work with NICA youth. Finally, NICA Ride Leaders,
Assistant Coaches and Head Coaches are required to hold current CPR/First Aid certifications. Assistant
Coaches and Head Coaches are required to hold WFA certifications after their first year of coaching.
COACHING RATIOS
NICA has strict coach to student-athlete ratios: 6:1 or 8:2 and no 1:1. Team sizes
are allowed to scale as much as needed to allow every student to participate so
long as these coaching ratios are maintained.
PLEASE CONTACT
QUESTIONS
FOR THE IDAHO
LEAGUE?
Bob Shannon, Team and Coach Development
208-340-7296
[email protected]
WWW.IDAHOMTB.ORG
EXPECTATIONS
FROM SCHOOL
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT
FROM THIS CLUB SPORT
MOUNTAIN BIKE TEAM
FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION
None, privately funded by local community.
COMMUNICATION
This Idaho League Team will communicate team
TEACHER ADVISOR
updates to designated school Teacher Advisor.
We’ve found that faculty members willing to act
as liaisons between school and team help
RISK MANAGEMENT PRIORITY
increase success.
All team activities focus on safety for its
student-athletes as priority at all times.
MEETINGS ON SCHOOL GROUNDS
Yes, but not absolutely required.
TEAM COMMITMENTS TO ACADEMICS
Team participation agreements are strongly
CLUB SPORT LISTED ON WEBSITE
encouraged to include academic performance
Yes, with link to team operated website, if
minimums.
applicable.
CONSTITUTION
INCLUDED IN ANNOUNCEMENTS
Teams asking for club sport status will supply
Yes, please.
a guiding constitution.
YEARBOOK INCLUSION
Yes, please.
STUDENT LEADERSHIP ROLES
USE OF NAME AND/OR LOGO
Clearly defined team leadership opportunities shall
Yes, please.
be made available to student-athletes.
YOUR LOCAL COACH
COACH CONTACT
COACH NAME:
PHONE:
COACH ADDRESS:
EMAIL:
TEAM WEBSITE:
The Idaho League is first and foremost a youth
development organization. We have a unique
opportunity to use the mountain bike as our
development tool and in turn change the lives of
Idaho’s youth by introducing them to a powerful
lifelong sport and way of life. The health and personal
growth opportunities are abundant when riding
bicycles. Cycling is a privilege, yet the chance for a
healthy and happy life should be a right.
Dylan Gradhandt
[email protected]
League Director
208-340-5200
WWW.IDAHOMTB.ORG