July Coach Newsletter
Happy July 4th everyone. We hope you are enjoying some downtime or the opportunity to gather with friends and family during the holiday weekend. As our ’21 preseason comes to an end, we are so thankful for the effort you have put into your teams. Preseason team activities were robust, and we saw increased attendance at coach training events. COVID restrictions are being lifted and our new normal at Arkansas NICA is all about growth throughout the entire state.
Our 2021 regular season kicks of in earnest this week with teams beginning their regular season practice schedule. We are so excited to support you in your team’s growth and progression. To that end, we have numerous training events planned for coaches and an exciting Adventure Jamboree coming together for early Aug. Read below for more info.
Thanks for all you do as an Arkansas NICA coach!
Ben Tufford and the Arkansas NICA Team
Coaches Call this Wednesday at 8pm
Our regular coaches call is always the first Wednesday of each month at 8pm.
This month, we have a special guest that will provide info and answer questions about the new Bike Assembly & Repair Technician Program at NWACC. This 2-semester program is the first of its kind to be offered in our region. Increased cycling opportunities continue to grow in AR. Imagine supporting your cycling hobby by improving your mechanical prowess or turning your passion into a career.
The AR-MO Adventure Jamboree is only a month away! We will take time to go over the plan for the event and answer any questions.
We will also check in with coaches to hear their plans for the summer. How often are you practicing? What are you doing differently this season? We share our collective knowledge to grow stronger together.
Find the agenda and link to the Zoom call here.
Coach Training opportunities
On the Bike Skills 101 (3-hour Level 2 requirement)
Pea Ridge, July 10th
De Queen, July 10th
Springdale, July 11th
NICA First Aid (8-hour level 3 requirement)
Hot Springs, July 11th
Springdale, Aug 15th
Basic First Aid & CPR 4-hour Level 2 requirement)
AR-MO Adventure Jamboree
Our AR-MO Adventure Jamboree is just over a month away. We are still working on the details of the event (so the details of this information are subject to change), but wanted to get more information to you so that you can start talking to your teams about it. Below is the information from the Event Flyer. In addition, in coming weeks you will be provided with a Coaches Adventure Guide so you know in greater detail what to expect in the games and rides.
Saturday, August 7, 2021
High Ground Mountain Bike Preserve
563 E Spring Street, Neosho, Missouri
EVENT DESCRIPTION
Team fun is the name of the game for the Arkansas-Missouri Adventure Jamboree. We will have facilitated adventure activities set up for student athletes to participate in as they choose, but the main event is a team adventure ride on the High Ground Trails in Neosho, MO.
Student athletes will join their coaches in their ride groups to explore the trail system at Morse park. Coaches will select a level of challenge suitable for each ride group ranging from easiest (mild) to hardest (spicy). The courses are designed to eliminate two-way traffic at any point on the trail system. All levels will pass two Adventure break stops that coaches can choose to include or skip for each lap of the course.
- Adventure Ride option opens at 11:00am on Saturday and closes at 5:00
- Pre-reg for an adventure start time HERE, (closes Wednesday at midnight) or sign up at Adventure Check-in tent
- Coaches must maintain the 6:1 or 8:2 ratios, just like in practice, on these rides (you can combine with other teams to maintain ratios)
- The Adventure Ride will be approximately 1-2 hours in duration.
BRING WATER! There is limited water onsite.
Course Map can be found HERE.
SCHEDULE
8:00 am Setup begins
10:00 am Pit Zone Opens for team setup
Registration/Check In
11:00 am Adventure activities open and ride start times begin
5:00 pm Adventure Course Closes
6:00 pm Bike Stunt Show (Presented by Neosho Parks and Rec?)
PARKING
Parking is in the field adjacent to the event and will be free.
PITZONE INFORMATION AND RULES
- PitZone is open for unloading at 10:00am
- No Smoking in PitZone
- No Grills in PitZone (only in designated areas)
- No Riding in PitZone
- No inappropriate language allowed in PitZone
- Any conflicts and/or disputes with any race official or volunteer shall not be dealt with in the PitZone
- Any violation of the above rules may result in a team penalty and/or expulsion from the PitZone and Infield area
- No Dogs off leash
- No gasoline generators inside the team pit area and no open fires outside of designated campfire rings
- Please pack out what you pack in. No garbage receptacles will be provided
ACCOMMODATIONS
Primitive camping will be allowed onsite at the High Ground in a designated area on Friday and Saturday nights. No onsite RV camping but there are RV parks close by for hook-ups. Hotel accommodations are available nearby as well.
FOOD SERVICE
Food trucks and a snow cone truck will be on site from 12 to 8 pm
VOLUNTEER
Volunteers make our events possible.
CHECK-IN AND REGISTRATION INFO
Make your day more enjoyable and avoid long lines and late fees by registering in advance online! Double-check that you are registered and race ready in the NICA Pit Zone before pre-registration closes. Race ready means you have completed your online profile, electronically signed your online waivers, and paid your NICA, league and race fees.
If you have not been invited to register yet in the NICA Pit Zone contact your Team Director. Independent riders contact your AR League Director Terry@arkansasmtb.org or your MO League Direcgtor kerry@missourimtb.org. For questions regarding the NICA Pit Zone contact registration services at registration@nationalmtb.org. Note: Online pre-registration will close Wednesday at 11:59pm prior to this event.
