Greetings Friends and Family,
Sixteen months have passed since I accepted the role as League Director, and its been over a year since the official announcement. In that time we have accomplished so much together! Thank you for making this experience so fulfilling. I look forward to working with each and every one of you for years to come as we continue to provide our incredible program to the youth of New Jersey.
Now that our second season has come to a close, it is time to reflect upon our many successes, plan for the future, and learn from our past.
What does our success look like?
* Our student participation has nearly doubled this year, a 180% increase.
* We welcomed 6 new teams to the league: (Wildwood, Atlantic County, Tri-County, Randolph, Central Jersey, and Camden County).
* Our coaching ranks have grown by nearly the same ratio as students, with a 175% increase.
* "Try it Out" and NICA GRiT program fully implemented. Special thanks to the Carolan Foundation for making it possible!
* Increased league staff by 6, including student athlete representatives.
* Added two additional Advisory Board Members.
* Hosted SOLO Wilderness/NICA Approved First Aid Class for coaches, the first in the nation
* Hosted OTB 301 coaching skills training, the first in the nation
* Introduced a new race venue, Camp Edge, and our first ever overnight camping before race day.
What does the future of the NJICL look like?
* Increased growth as we expand our reach into schools and unrepresented areas of the state.
* More programs! GRiT rides, adventure camps, Teen Trail Corps, etc.
* More coaches training opportunities.
* #morekidsonbikes #moregirlsonbikes #NJShredz
Many have asked about changing to a fall-based season due to the inclimate weather which we deal with as a spring league. We established a committee this year to explore all of the options, all of the pros and cons. The findings were presented too all head coaches during the season, and I will be reaching out to them in the coming weeks for an official response, but early indications are that the league is split down the middle on the topic. One of the committee's recommendations was to consider a change only if a vast majority of the community wants it, so for the time being I do not expect a change. Regardless, nothing will change for our upcoming (third) season.
We had a whirlwind awards ceremony at Gloucester, so a few "thank you" messages were missed.
I would like to thank our League Staff for tirelessly working throughout the year to provide our students with such a quality program:
Fred Brown, Sandy Chapman, Michael Cohn, Kristine Contento-Angell, Robin Dunn, Chris Facas, Katie Foose, Jason Gonsalves, David Kahl, BJ Kisch, Amanda Klopper, Kathi Krause, Jakob Kruse, JoAnne Kruse, Tom Kruse, Robin Lauezzari, Rosie Lauezzari, Emilio Lois Jr., Don Madson, Charmaine Michaels, Jon Sherwood, Larry Towner, Ben Tufford, Mary Beth Van Wart, John Williams.
These wonderful individuals work together as a team not only on race day, but on weekly conference calls, events, coaches calls, training, etc. to make our league the very best out there. I would be lost without them, and feel quite lucky to call them friends. Thank you!
I was touched by the photos that the staff put together for you all to sign! Mary Beth explained that the poster boards contained over 1000 photos, and that it was a reminder of how many lives we have touched along the way. I am honored to be a part of this program, and if we have made a difference in just one kid's life through mountain biking we are truly blessed. NICA sure has changed mine for the better!
Please continue to read below for information about the off-season, our summer fundraiser, and a recap of the national conference. As always, if I can be of any assistance, please feel free to reach out.
Best wishes,
Ken Seebeck
League Director