High School Mountain Bike Program Goes NationalSep 23rd, 2009, 5:30pm
NorCal Cycling Program Goes National
National Interscholastic Cycling Association Grows Out of NorCal League
New Organization for High School Cycling Attracts Industry Support
Contact: Matthew Fritzinger matt@nationalmtb.org Tel: (510) 524-5464 www.nationalmtb.org
BERKELEY, Calif.—The National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) is launching October 1 as a new organization to promote and facilitate interscholastic high school mountain biking in the USA.
With Specialized Bicycle Components stepping in as the National Founding Sponsor, and the Easton Sports Development Foundation II stepping up its backing of the SoCal League to include a sponsorship match program at the national level, the fast emerging national association shows it has earned the trust and support of major industry players.
While the search for sponsorship continues in the quest to fully meet operating costs, a Trailblazer’s Team of individual benefactors has been established to provide additional support in getting – and keeping – the association off the ground. Early members of this important group include Charles Moore of McGuire Real Estate and Scott Tedro of Sho-Air International.
NICA has grown out of the highly successful NorCal High School Mountain Bike Racing League, which is now entering its tenth year. The launch of NICA follows the successful first year of the NorCal League spin-off, the SoCal Interscholastic Cycling League.
The new association is led by NorCal League founder, Matt Fritzinger, and will commence its work with four state or regional chapters. The initial states and regions are Northern California, Southern California, Colorado, and Washington.
By 2020, NICA’s vision is to have developed high school mountain biking coast to coast by providing successful models of league development to interested regions.
Matt Fritzinger stated, “It's only because of the combined support of Specialized and ESDFII that we are able to launch this milestone effort. This is a tremendously exciting step not only for us, but for mountain biking in the USA. Our Mountain Biking programs provide a range of positive experience for teenage kids, many of which would not have come to the sport if it were not for their high school team. We are currently looking for two or three more major corporate partners and individual supporters to join our Trailblazers Team.”
Ned Overend, the 1990 Mountain Bike world champion, and a godparent of the sport, said, “This is exactly the kind of thing we need to develop not only mountain biking but all kinds of cycling in the USA. If league graduates want to go onto racing activities, that’s great, and they can choose which discipline inspires them. But many of these kids go on to a healthy, fulfilling life of recreational cycling—both on and off road—which they then introduce to their families. You can see how this will create growth in future generations. The importance of this kind of program for cycling in the USA cannot be overstated.”
NICA is also currently recruiting founding board members.
What: National Interscholastic Cycling Association launch
Where: Initially four areas: Northern California, Southern California, Washington, Colorado
When: Launch date October 1, 2009
Who: NICA’s executive director is Matt Fritzinger
About the National Interscholastic Cycling Association
NICA is the National Governing Body for grades 9-12 interscholastic mountain biking. With the support of National Founding Sponsor, Specialized Bicycle Components, and the Easton Sports Development Foundation II, NICA has been established to foster the development of high quality competitive cross-country mountain biking programs for high school aged athletes. NICA provides leadership, governance and program support to promote the development of interscholastic mountain biking leagues throughout the United States.
National Interscholastic Cycling Association Grows Out of NorCal League
New Organization for High School Cycling Attracts Industry Support
Contact: Matthew Fritzinger matt@nationalmtb.org Tel: (510) 524-5464 www.nationalmtb.org
BERKELEY, Calif.—The National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) is launching October 1 as a new organization to promote and facilitate interscholastic high school mountain biking in the USA.
With Specialized Bicycle Components stepping in as the National Founding Sponsor, and the Easton Sports Development Foundation II stepping up its backing of the SoCal League to include a sponsorship match program at the national level, the fast emerging national association shows it has earned the trust and support of major industry players.
While the search for sponsorship continues in the quest to fully meet operating costs, a Trailblazer’s Team of individual benefactors has been established to provide additional support in getting – and keeping – the association off the ground. Early members of this important group include Charles Moore of McGuire Real Estate and Scott Tedro of Sho-Air International.
NICA has grown out of the highly successful NorCal High School Mountain Bike Racing League, which is now entering its tenth year. The launch of NICA follows the successful first year of the NorCal League spin-off, the SoCal Interscholastic Cycling League.
The new association is led by NorCal League founder, Matt Fritzinger, and will commence its work with four state or regional chapters. The initial states and regions are Northern California, Southern California, Colorado, and Washington.
By 2020, NICA’s vision is to have developed high school mountain biking coast to coast by providing successful models of league development to interested regions.
Matt Fritzinger stated, “It's only because of the combined support of Specialized and ESDFII that we are able to launch this milestone effort. This is a tremendously exciting step not only for us, but for mountain biking in the USA. Our Mountain Biking programs provide a range of positive experience for teenage kids, many of which would not have come to the sport if it were not for their high school team. We are currently looking for two or three more major corporate partners and individual supporters to join our Trailblazers Team.”
Ned Overend, the 1990 Mountain Bike world champion, and a godparent of the sport, said, “This is exactly the kind of thing we need to develop not only mountain biking but all kinds of cycling in the USA. If league graduates want to go onto racing activities, that’s great, and they can choose which discipline inspires them. But many of these kids go on to a healthy, fulfilling life of recreational cycling—both on and off road—which they then introduce to their families. You can see how this will create growth in future generations. The importance of this kind of program for cycling in the USA cannot be overstated.”
NICA is also currently recruiting founding board members.
What: National Interscholastic Cycling Association launch
Where: Initially four areas: Northern California, Southern California, Washington, Colorado
When: Launch date October 1, 2009
Who: NICA’s executive director is Matt Fritzinger
About the National Interscholastic Cycling Association
NICA is the National Governing Body for grades 9-12 interscholastic mountain biking. With the support of National Founding Sponsor, Specialized Bicycle Components, and the Easton Sports Development Foundation II, NICA has been established to foster the development of high quality competitive cross-country mountain biking programs for high school aged athletes. NICA provides leadership, governance and program support to promote the development of interscholastic mountain biking leagues throughout the United States.
