Most mountain bike teams start small and grow quickly; it’s a tremendous challenge but highly rewarding! While the Florida League does host a race series, there is no requirement to race in order to be part of a club/team.
WHO?
Extensive mountain biking experience is not necessary. One should simply have the desire to introduce kids to the joys of mountain biking. Once you have decided to create a club/team, the Florida League can help educate you and provide you with all the tools necessary to be an excellent coach.
Administrators, teachers, parents, students and/or community members can start a mountain bike club/team at their local middle school or high school. While a school “insider” (teacher or administrator) has intimate knowledge of the process of starting a club/team within the school (as each school/district might be a little different), remember that parents are also members of the school community and can certainly partner with their school administration to get a club/team formed.
Visit your school and ask questions about their current sports programs and clubs. Whether considered a club, or an athletic program, it is important to find support from the school. Discuss your plans and ideas with your school administration, and you’re ready to get started.
Please also check out the Coach License Requirements HERE and feel free to reach out to the Florida League for information and resources that may help you in answering questions your school administration may have for you.
WHAT?
Teams are available for both Middle School and High School students. While the Florida League does host a race series, there is no requirement to race in order to be part of a club/team.
School-Based Teams are comprised of students grade 6-12 from the same middle or high school, public or private. School-Based Teams can be “official” or “unofficial”. A School-Based Team provides students with:
- Access to try something new
- Alternative to traditional sports
- Identity within the school community
Composite Teams cover a specific geographic area and serve all middle and high schools within that area. Composite Teams are intended to be temporary solutions toward building school-based teams
Homeschool students may join Composite Teams according to the location of the school they would attend if not homeschooled.
WHERE?
The Florida League includes the entire state, and student-athletes attending middle school or high school in Florida are eligible. Students attending school in Georgia would participate with their respective league.
WHEN?
The Florida League is a Spring League. Clubs/Teams organize in the Fall with the pre-season begins on October 15th, and the season starts on December 1st. Clubs/Teams practice and ride together all season long, working towards adventure rides and a Spring race series. The season wraps up two weeks after our last event, typically ending mid May.
View the NICA Team Starter Kit
No Team? No Problem!
Students can compete as an Independent Rider in the league. While they will not be eligible for the Team Overall title, they are eligible for the Individual Race and Overall titles. Independent riders should put “Independent” rather than a team name on the application. All other rules apply.
Home-schooled and online students who are enrolled in a Florida online charter school or are home-schooled may join a nearby composite team. If this option is not available to the student-athlete, the online or home-schooled student may compete as an Independent Rider.