The Florida Interscholastic Cycling League’s first annual Leaders Summit will bring together coaches —both new and experienced—to develop skills and knowledge, share strategies, and build community. In 2019 Florida will make history by providing the opportunity for every Middle and High School, public or private, to form club teams and participate in a scholastic mountain bike season brought to you by the Florida league, an official project league of the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA). This conference will promote a holistic approach to coaching that creates an environment in which young people can grow and thrive.

Being Florida's inaugural season, the focus of the 2019 Leaders Summit will be about how to establish your team. The Leaders Summit will arm you with the knowledge, skills and resources available to assist you in establishing an official club sport at your local Middle or High School. With over 850 NICA teams across 25 leagues in 24 States in the US, we don't have to reinvent any wheels in Florida. Currently over 18,500 Student-Athletes participate in leagues across the country with league growth averaging 35% every year, this is an exciting time for kids and adult mentors in Florida to be apart of the fastest growing youth mountain bike program in the US.

“Coaching a high school mountain bike team is an extremely rewarding experience. During my thirty-five years of cycling I’ve worn many hats. The four years I spent coaching the Nevada Union Miners High School Mountain Bike Team in the NorCal League ranks among the most rewarding of all my experiences.” -Dylan Gradhandt, Idaho League Founder and Executive Director

Team formation and official registration starts this fall. Pre-season begins Oct 15th. In Season practices can start Dec 1st. Our first racing season will run from March through June of 2020, with race venues located across the state.

Date: 8/24 (Saturday): Leadership, Risk Management and Sustainable Team Structures

Saturday's seminars cover the nuts and bolts of working with high school student athletes in the context of a NICA mountain bike club. Saturday's seminars cover basic knowledge all NICA Level 1, 2 and 3 coaches should be aware of and incorporate into their duties.

Date: 8/25 (Sunday): How to start and manage a High School Mountain Bike Team and NICA On The Bike Skills for Coaches

Sunday's clinic - You'll learn the NICA-endorsed training method, which includes the progressive steps needed to teach anyone (even yourself) both basic and advanced mountain biking skills. You will also learn about experiential teaching techniques, how to accommodate different learning styles, and how to create a positive learning environment for young riders. The majority of this clinic will be held outdoors, so please bring your bike and appropriate riding and safety gear for the weather.

Includes: Morning coffee, breakfast snacks, light refreshments and conference materials. Registration does not include lodging, lunch or dinner however dining options are available nearby. Please see information on optional lodging below.

A limited number of partial and full scholarships are available for those who need financial assistance. For more information, please contact maxwell@floridamtb.org

Lodging:

We have reserved a block of rooms at the nearby Drury Inn and Suites, which is located right off of I-75 and is a short 3.5 miles away from the summit. The discounted price that we have received is $115/room for either double queens or single king arrangement. Included with the room is free hot breakfast and free evening drinks and snacks. Call in to 1-800-325-0720 or go to www.druryhotels.com and refer to group number 2381289 to make your reservation. *Special rate is good until July 24th, 2019.

Florida Leaders' Summit