In this edition

▪ Arkansas league update – Pre Season Countdown
▪ Registration update – 5 weeks to race 1!
▪ Calling all volunteers!
▪ A fantastic race day for all: NICA Code of conduct.
▪ Social Media Fun
▪ Arkansas League Scholarship Program

PRE-SEASON COUNTDOWN

Summer is winding down, practices are in full swing and there are just over 5 weeks until the first race of the Arkansas League 2017 season.

Dust off those cowbells – Arkansas League’s 2nd season is almost here!

We are so proud of the efforts underway by students, coaches, parents, staff, and volunteers making this all happen. Take a look at the lineup for this year.
< > League List of Teams.

Remember, first race is SUNDAY September 10 at 9:30 am. We look forward to being together for our first race. Let the fun begin!

▪ Kyla and the Arkansas Team

Registration Update – 5 Weeks to Race 1

Rider registration is now open for the 2017 season. By now you should have received an “invitation to register” via email from the NICA Pit Zone. Click on the link to begin the rider registration process. Be sure to complete the rider profile online, sign the electronic waivers and pay the NICA fee, league fee and for the races you plan to attend. If you have not received your Pit Zone invite, check with your coach to make sure you were invited.

Calling All Volunteers!

Volunteers Needed for Arkansas Races

We could not do this without you, and we appreciate you showing up to make race day a success.

Here you will find a summary of the volunteer positions, as well as brief (4 minutes or less) videos describing what you will do on race day. Please do take time to watch your respective video. Not only will it prepare you for the day, but it will get you really excited! Email Kelsey and Ben at volunteer@arkansasmtb.org if you are interested or sign up HERE.

Thank you!!

A Fantastic Race Day for All – NICA Code of Conduct

RULES REMINDER:
Coaches and parents are the motivating force that encourages NICA student-athletes to do their very best to attain their race goals at every race. They also serve as ambassadors and role models who are expected to abide to a code of conduct that serves as an example to all student-athletes. In addition, all NICA student-athletes must abide by Trail Etiquette & Code of Conduct which covers the aspects of safety and respect. Here are the rules as outlined in the NICA Rulebook:

1. COACHES CODE OF CONDUCT

13.1 COACHES’ HELMETS
NICA league coaches and team assistants are expected to comply with the helmet rule (4.1) at all team practices, team events, and league races. In the event a coach is seen riding without a helmet, a 25-point penalty will be applied to his or her team’s score for noncompliance.

13.2 DUTY OF CARE
Coaches have a duty of care to their student-athletes at every event. This duty of care begins at the time designated by the team for student-athlete arrival. It ends at the very end of the event. The Head Coach, or someone acting as interim head coach, must remain at the venue until the last student-athlete from his/her team has departed, except in the case that a student-athlete’s parent or legal guardian is present.

13.3 RACE ATTENDANCE
A Head Coach must attend each race. If the Head Coach cannot attend a race, an interim Head Coach shall be appointed and the NICA league must be notified as to who is serving as interim Head Coach.

13.4 POSITIVE SPORTING BEHAVIOR
It is expected that all coaches will display mature and positive behavior during every event. Coaches must serve as role models to student-athletes, thereby demonstrating fair and calm response in the event of protests, complaints, conflicts, or emergencies. Coaches are expected to be focused not only on winning, but on helping student-athletes develop positive character traits, learn life lessons, and grow into healthy young adults.

1. PARENT CODE OF CONDUCT

14.1 PARENTS’ HELMETS
Parents shall comply with the helmet rule at all races (Rule 4.1). Parents riding bicycles without helmets shall be given two warnings. After a third infraction, the parent’s student-athlete will be penalized 25 points at the race where the infraction occurred. Parents are also expected to wear helmets for the following reasons:

▪ To set an example for the student-athletes
▪ There are limited emergency services on site
▪ All spectators at a NICA event are on the NICA permit/insurance and contribute to the overall liability
▪ It is not always possible for race officials to differentiate between parents and coaches
▪ NICA is concerned about the safety of all our participants and spectators
14.2 HANDLING PROTESTS
Parents must handle protests, complaints, and/or conflicts with a positive and respectful attitude.

14.3 PARENTS RIDING ON THE COURSE
During a race, parents must not ride (or run) on the course in the proximity (within 200 meters) of any competitors. Parents cannot run along the course with a student-athlete for more than 50 meters.

14.4 POSITIVE SPORTING BEHAVIOR
It is expected that all parents will display a mature and positive sporting attitude during every event.

What parents can do to encourage positive sporting behavior:

▪ Keep your comments positive. Don’t bad-mouth coaches, student-athletes, or officials. If you have a serious concern, discuss it privately with your child’s coach or a NICA league official. Commend good effort and performance, no matter who it comes from–especially when it’s student-athletes from a “rival” team. Remember that you are a parent, not the coach (unless you are both). Shout encouragement, not directions, from the sidelines.
▪ Set a good example with your courteous behavior towards parents, coaches, and student-athletes from other teams.
▪ Look for examples of good sporting behavior in professional student-athletes and point them out to your child. Talk about the bad examples, too, and why they upset you.
▪ Emphasize values like teamwork, responsibility, and discipline. Winning comes and goes, but values should be ever present.

Get Social With NICA

Whether you Instagram, Facebook or Tweet, be sure to follow @arkansasmtb and @NationalMTB for race highlights, program updates, industry news, photos, videos, contests and more! Tag @nationalmtb and @arkansasmtb in addition to using hashtags such as #morekidsonbikes, #moregirlsonbikes, #arkansasmtb.

Scholarship Information

The Arkansas League is committed to making sure every student-athlete and coach has the opportunity to participate in all events, regardless of financial situation. Through the generous support of league donors and the NICA Booster Fund, we’re able to provide direct support, through individual scholarships, stipends and grants, to offset expenses directly related to participation in league and team activities.

Fill out application and email to kyla@arkansasmtb.org by September 5 for Race 1,

Events Before Race 1

We have lots of events going on even before our first race. Here’s a summary!

NICA On-The-Bike Skills Clinic for Coaches, August 12, 10 am – 2 pm
Sign up HERE by August 11.

Russellville, AR Student Skills Clinic and Course Preview
August 19, 9:30 am, Old Post Trail Head.

U19 Off-Road Classic, August 26, 9:30 am – 1:00 pm
More information and registration available HERE.