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Coach with NICA

Join a cohort of amazing coaches who are shaping lifelong cyclists, one ride at a time!

NICA coaches play a variety of roles and each coach brings unique strengths to their teams and communities. You do not have to be a top-notch mountain biker to be an incredible coach. We welcome anyone who wishes to advance NICA’s mission, vision, and core values to join us as a coach!

NICA coaches are people who…

  • → Are athlete-centered: they prioritize the health and safety of riders.
  • → Inspire: they help kids chase their best selves and are awesome role models.
  • → Love to ride: they share stoke and spread it to the next generation!
  • → Bring the energy: they motivate, encourage, and make every ride a blast.
  • → Are team-focused: they communicate, collaborate, and keep it positive!
  • → Live out NICA’s values: they’re fun, inclusive, fair, respectful, and all about community.

Get started as a coach

We’re seeking coaches and teams to join NICA as it grows in Illinois! Complete our brief interest form and we’ll connect you with a local team, or help you get a team started in your area.

Get started

NICA Coach Education

NICA’s high-quality coach training equips volunteers to confidently lead and create amazing experiences for youth mountain biking teams. NICA’s coach education is rooted in best practices in youth development to provide valuable, relevant, and inspiring education for coaches across all of our leagues.

Coaches can be licensed at three levels, with varying roles and responsibilities for their teams.

Navigating NICA’s Coach Education Requirements & Training Resources

Pit Zone

NICA’s Pit Zone registration system is where coaches can complete the following:

  • Register as a coach – note: An invite from a team is required – need an invite? Complete our interest form
  • Sign the annual waiver and code of conduct
  • Pay the annual coach license fee
  • Submit a Working With Children Check request
  • View your coach profile to see your license status
  • Log in to the NICA Coach Education Center to access courses, resources, and benefits
NICA Coach Education Center

To access the Coach Education Center, log into Pit Zone first, and click the Courses, Resources, & Benefits button. Within the Education Center, coaches can access the following:

  • Online required coach courses such as concussion training, NICA philosophy and risk management, and coach license level courses
  • Coach resource library (templates, guidelines, and more)
  • Online NICA CEU courses