New Washington Student Mountain Bike League for Middle School and High School Students!
Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance is proud to announce the launch of our new Washington Student League for middle school and high school aged kids! This new youth league will focus not just on mountain bike riding and racing, but also leadership skills and environmental stewardship.
We’re thrilled to have hired Lisa Miller, founder of the Washington High School Cycling League, as Director of our new Student League. Her experience with racing and track record for getting youth involved in mountain biking are going to be a tremendous assets in getting the new league off the ground and making it a huge success.
Why is Evergreen launching this youth league? Two reasons…The Washington High School Cycling League had grown to 22 teams representing 44 different high schools in just two years – but the future of that NICA sponsored league is currently uncertain. At the same time, our youth classes and programs have been growing by leaps and bounds. Creating our own league was the perfect way to ensure that kids in Washington have a high-quality mountain bike program now, and that we are prepared to meet the increasing demand to get even more kids out riding, and working on trails.
While the league will hold races, competitions are just one component, and kids do not have to race to participate in the league and join in on rides. A large part of the focus will also be on building leadership skills and helping older participants become mentors to the younger members; as well as empowering the kids to take ownership, and be stewards of, the trails, forests and environment.
The league will officially launch its 2013 season with a coaching conference currently scheduled for early December 2012, team practices beginning in January, a student leadership summit in February, and a series of races next March through May. More events for summer and fall 2013 are to be announced. This is sure to be the most exciting season yet for youth mountain biking in Washington!
League registration opens December 3rd.
