GRiT – Girls Riding Together
The GRiT initiative is an effort by the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) to recruit and retain more girls and female coaches in NICA programs. The overarching goal of the NICA GRiT initiative is to increase the overall participation rate to 33% female participation (coaches and student-athletes each) by 2023. #moregirlsonbikes!
Who should learn about GRiT:
NICA develops co-ed interscholastic mountain biking programs for student-athletes with a mission to build strong minds, bodies, character, and communities through cycling. Increasing female participation in mountain biking is ultimately a matter of running good programming for everyone – programming that is inclusive, experience-based and intentional. With the goals of the GRiT initiative and the philosophy of equity integrated into all NICA teams – this is not a side project. As coaches of co-ed teams, all NICA coaches are dedicated to getting #moregirlsonbikes.
An important first step to making girls feel comfortable on NICA teams, is to have positive adult female role models. So, a primary objective of the GRiT initiative will be to recruit women to the Wisconsin league as coaches and ride leaders and to continue to prioritize their development.
Learn more about how to become a GRiT Leader.
Recommend a female coach to a NICA team and the GRiT initiative.
Coaches, what can you do right now?
- Invite women into on-the-bike roles within your team and give them a chance to lead.
- Encourage and promote women to move through the NICA coaching levels, increasing their involvement and qualifications.
- Reach out to Heather Rainer, the WI GRiT Program Director to learn more.
Follow our GRiT Social
Become a GRiT Ambassador
