Virginia High School Cycling League

1. Virginia High School Cycling League Vital Virginia League Information Team/Coaching Information

2. Vital League Information The Virginia High School Cycling League is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization under NICA and is the governing body for Virginia high school (grades 7-12) cross-country mountain biking. The League provides not only races and events but also direct rider, coach, and team support including defined programs, education, licensing, and insurance.

3. Vital League Information Vision & Mission 5 Core Principles How it all Started The NICA Way League Races Additional League Events Coaching Teams

4. Virginia League Vision & Mission Vision: Enable every Virginia teen to strengthen their body, mind and character through mountain biking Mission: Establish an enduring, fun and relevant high school mountain bike program to improve Virginia communities and the lives of Virginia teens. Focus: Life-long health. 4

5. Five Core Principles NICA’s Five Core Principles are fully integrated into the programs, resources and staff support for leagues, coaches and student athletes. Inclusive: All student athletes are encouraged to participate. No one is “benched.” 83% of NICA student-athletes surveyed reported that their coach did a “great job” creating a positive, safe and inclusive team environment. Equal: All student-athletes are treated equally. Team scores are a combination of male and female points. Nearly 1/4 of NICA student athletes in 2011 were girls. Strong Body: Improving fitness and wellness are at the center of NICA training and education. 95% of NICA student athletes reported that their health and physical fitness improved when they joined a NICA League. Strong Mind: NICA student-athletes are students first. 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 NICA League. Strong Character: NICA programs and leadership teaches student-athletes to work hard, respect others and give back to their teams, communities and the environment. 73% of student athletes reported an increased awareness and respect for the environment. 4

6. How it all started... 1998 Matt Fritzinger, a math teacher at Berkeley High School at the time, started a mountain biking club with just 4 student-athletes. 2000 Matt was organizing and producing a race series with teams from 4 local high schools competing – The NorCal League was born. 2008 The movement spread from NorCal to SoCal with the creation of the SoCal League. 2009 NICA was formed to take High School Mountain Biking coast to coast by 2020. 2010 Virginia forms VAHS MTB Series with USA Cycling. Series reaches 100+ participants 2011 Four leagues (NorCal, SoCal, Colorado and Washington) were racing with over 1,000 Student athletes and 109 High School Teams. 2012 With the addition of Texas, Minnesota and Utah, Seven NICA leagues will be racing with 2,000 student-athletes competing. 2013 Arizona, Tennessee, and New York become Leagues. Minnesota pilots 7th & 8th grade program. 2014 Georgia, Wisconsin, Alabama, and Virginiabecome NICA leagues. NICA Founder, Matt Fritzinger “This isn’t just another racing program. This is in our schools. It’s a cultural shift, cycling in the mainstream.” -NICA Founder, Matt Fritzinger 4

7. The NICA Way NICA Leagues NICA Coaches NICA Teams and Clubs NICA Student-Athletes NICA Families More than just a governing body, NICA draws upon over a decade of proven leadership, governance and programmatic support to promote the creation, development and sustained operation of High School Mountain Biking Leagues across the country. National Interscholastic Cycling Association NICA creates and supports affiliated chapter Leagues within specific geographic regions across the US. NICA Leagues NICA Leagues, led by League Director, produce races, camps, outreach and special events to support the development of new coaches, teams, and student-athletes. NICA Coaches NICA Coaches create teams integrated within high schools and provide mentoring, instruction, training schedule, and race support for it’s student-athletes. NICA Teams NICA Teams recruit, train and support the development of student-athletes to participate on the team and compete in the League. NICA Student-Athletes NICA Student-Athletes learn the skills and discipline of riding, training, teamwork and giving back; strengthening body, mind and character in the process. NICA Families NICA Families are supportive of their child’s participation and become passionate about riding as well with 61% of Dads and 37% of Moms reporting that they had started riding again. 16

8. Virginia High School League Races Middle & High School Only 7th– 12th Grades • Pre-ride: Course open for riders and coaches 1 week prior to race • Saturday race day: Spectator friendly lap courses. Bring your family and cowbells! • Safety & Proven Risk Management including: • Well marked course • EMT’s on site • 10-12 Fixed Course Marshals • Sweep & Roving Marshals • Individual podiums every race • Team podiums every race • NICA Real-time Timing System • ALL RIDERS ARE CHEERED! 21

9. Additional League Events Leaders’ Summit The Leaders’ Summits are in integral part of the NICA model for high school mountain bike programs. The summits bring together head coaches, assistant coaches, ride leaders, and parent volunteers — both new and experienced — to develop skills and knowledge, share strategies, and build community. The conferences promote a holistic approach to coaching that creates an environment in which young people can grow and thrive. They also provide opportunities for participants to learn all about the league structures and processes, how to start a mountain bike team, how to work with their schools, issues related to liability, skills and drills technique and instruction, and the unique intricacies of working with high school cyclists. Attending a NICA Leaders’ Summit is a requirement for obtaining a NICA Coaches License at the level of Head Coach or Assistant Coach. Rider Camps & Skills Clinics For many student-athletes, mountain biking is a new sport. Even experienced riders can learn something new at a NICA rider camp or skills clinic, which emphasizes proper skill, technique and a healthy approach to riding and racing. Licensed coaches and assistants provide spot-on training for students of all skill levels, and in some cases a girl’s-only camp is held to encourage our future women to let their natural abilities flow. There are specific skills clinics for lower graders participating on Junior Development Teams. 4

10. Coaching NICA Leagues provide comprehensive resources, education, licensing programs and insurance for coaches, assistants and ride leaders • Background checks • Wilderness First Aid & CPR certification • Risk Management • Positive Coaching • Skills & Drills Training • Annual Leaders Summit 4

11. Virginia League: Teams League Teams The League provides comprehensive resources, programs and registration for the creation, management and operation of League teams. Types of Teams in the League Single School Teams Composite Teams Independent Riders* East High ShoolMTB Club • VirginiaTeamActivity Breakdown Per Student • Training: • 2-3 Hours Per Practice • 3 Practices Per Week, 20 Weeks Fall Practice • ~140 Hours Of Practice • Racing: • 4Races in 2014 • 1 Day Per Race • 40-60 Hours of Race Attendance • Spring Training & Camps: • 6+ Team Rides & Activities • 4-day Camps • 2-day Winter Training Camp • 1-day Summer Skills Clinics • Season: • ~240 Hours Of Team Activities Per Season 20

12. Team Information Schedule Student Athletes Racing Categories & Scoring Practice & SkillsHow Much Does It Cost Insurance Overview Risk Management Support for Coaches

13. Schedule Throughout The Year – 2014 Clubs are formed throughout the year, depending upon school regulations Spring May 17-18 Leaders Summit Summer Rider Multi-day Camps (www.cutawaybikecamps.com) Fall – Back-To-School Races TBD 4

14. Racing Categories & Scoring • High School Categories & Scoring • Team • Varsity Teams • JV Teams • Combination of boys and girls results are used. • Individual • Junior Varsity • Varsity 21

15. Practice & Skills • Practice schedule is determined by coaches • Team Training Limitations as specified in NICA Rulebook apply • Typically 2-4 practices per week • Skills development • Riders of all levels are welcome and encouraged • Focus on safe bike handling skills • Fitness training 4

16. How Much Does It Cost? • High School Program Costs: • Students • $30 to register a student/ride • $35 per race • Scholarships are available for all students in need • Adults (Coach, Asst. Coach, Ride Leader, Volunteer) • $25 + required background check • Other Items • Team Registration Fee • Compliant D2 $125 D1 $250Noncompliant D2$250 D1 $375 • Clothing • Other support costs depending on desire of team including team equipment, tents, etc. Any of these costs can be offset by sponsorship and fundraising by the team. 4

17. Insurance Overview • 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 • McKay Insurance provides this policy for the League. Dan McKay (president) has been working with IMBA since 1995 to • protect mountain bike clubs from liability concerns. Since that time, he has become an expert on all matters of bicycle • liability and is recognized as a supporter of trail advocacy efforts nationwide. • Underwriters for the policy are Lexington Insurance Company and National Union Fire Insurance Company – Member Chartis Companies. Lexington is an A+(Superior) rated carrier by A. M. Best Company, National Union Fire Insurance Company is also rated A+(Superior) “Sweep Marshal” follows freshman Amber Ellis 4

18. 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 4

19. Risk Management Continued Prevention The League’s Risk Management education puts strong emphasis on effective program planning and preparation. • Risks associated with Cross-Country Mountain Biking • 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 4

20. Support for Coaches Coaching Manual Provides detailed information. Chapter 1 –An Overview of High School Mountain Biking available online Leaders’ Summit May 17-18 2014 Educate coaches & assistants in all aspects of running a team from skills/drills and training to recruiting. Online Resources www.nationalmtb.org/nica-coaches-resources/ First chapter of coaches manual, Insurance Overview, Risk Management, Rule Book, and much more information and documents to help coaches www.nationalmtb.org/team-starter-kit/ Step by step process of starting a team including information, documents, presentations, videos, etc. Webinars Coaching/Team Sponsor Benefits Coaches and Teams receive support from NICA & League in a variety of ways including access to Team Clif Bar Program, GU Energy Program, Primal Wear team apparel Program, discounted First Aid Supplies, discount on NICA CamelBak, and more. 4

21. NICA & VA League Sponsors 4

22. Thank You! Peter Hufnagel League Directorpeter@virginiamtb.org434-987-5406 www.virginiamtb.org All photos courtesy of Christopher See and Steve C. Wilson