At Terry, we’re committed to uplifting women through the pursuit of cycling which is why we’ve partnered with the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) in special support of their Girls Riding Together initiative (GRiT). This partnership emphasizes our joint commitment to creating inclusive spaces for the next generation of cyclists to thrive and to increase girls’ participation in mountain biking. We believe cycling can transform lives and together, we hope to empower women and girls to break barriers, redefine norms, and make their mark on the world, both on and off bike.
About GRiT:
Girls Riding Together is NICA’s concentrated effort to recruit and retain more female student-athletes and coaches into their mountain biking leagues, and to keep them on bikes for years to come. The first nationwide program of its kind, GRiT focuses intentional effort on creating an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere for women and girls who are underrepresented in the sport.
Currently, girls represent only 24% of NICA’s overall national student-athlete participation. While GRiT has been able to boost this number 5% in its first five years of programming, we still have a lot of work to do. With the help of Terry and other dedicated sponsors, NICA seeks to bridge the opportunity gap and increase this number significantly.
GRiT recognizes that many girls and women need different things to feel welcomed and invited in athletics, especially in a male-dominated sport like mountain biking. To enact their mission of inclusion for all, GRiT coordinators are elected to each league to create a more welcoming environment for girls to join in on NICA programs by hosting girls-only events, rides, camps, clinics, and socializing opportunities. GRiT focuses on both recruitment and retention to ensure female riders keep riding after their first year and develop a lifelong relationship with cycling. GRiT exists to give the women of tomorrow incredible experiences and opportunities that will inspire them to seek inclusivity and equity wherever they go.
The girls of GRiT and NICA have gone on to enter the world of pro cycling, become lifelong singletrack adventurers, league coaches, and volunteers, as well as everyday riders continuing to stoke future generations on the joy and confidence-building power of cycling. In fact, the majority of NICA’s leagues are currently directed by women. Their determination and courage to take leadership positions serve as an empowering example to ALL NICA student-athletes, specifically those who joined the movement through GRiT.
Through GRiT, we work to create a truly inclusive, welcoming and empowering environment for women and girls, so that they can experience the transformative power of this sport,” says Amanda Carey, NICA President. “We are so grateful for the support of Terry, which will enable us to expand these opportunities and invite more women and girls into our community.”
Why Girls Need GRiT:
Building Confidence: Statistics show that girls’ self-confidence plummets 30% from ages 12-14, in stark contrast to boys, whose self-confidence remains largely unchanged through puberty. By age 14, 45% of girls say that they are afraid to try something where they may fail. Sports can fill this confidence gap. GRiT is committed to creating a safe space for girls to engage, build confidence, find belonging, and thrive as members of a vibrant cycling community.
Photo Source: DH Photography
Developing Future Leaders: With grassroots recruitment, intentional retention efforts, and inclusive events, GRiT is not just about riding bikes; it’s about developing confident and resilient leaders who make a positive impact on and off the trails. In 2020 Ernst + Young conducted a study and found that 94% of female executives have a background in sports or still participate in sports today. GRiT and NICA programming is designed to teach youth skill that go far beyond the bike.
Breaking Barriers and Redefining Norms: In 2024, gender-related challenges are still one of the biggest reasons that girls drop out of sports at twice the rate of boys by age 14. GRiT empowers girls to challenge stereotypes, redefine what it means to be a female athlete, and push their own personal limits.
Photo Source: Red Family Photo
How You Can Get Involved
NICA exists because of the generous support and collective power of thousands of individual actions from sponsors, donors, and volunteers. As a non-profit, growth happens as NICA expands its programming into new regions, but also when people like you invest in their mission. If the interscholastic cycling movement moves you, please consider making a financial contribution or donating your time to help get one more kid on a bike! Join us in inspiring a lifelong devotion to the outdoors, to navigating tough trails, and finding strength through cycling.
Donate to your local NICA League:
https://nationalmtb.org/nica-leagues/
Donate to NICA National to support inclusive programming across the organization:
Volunteer:
NICA is always looking for enthusiastic and dedicated people to help get more girls and more kids on bikes! The best incentive for volunteering is inspiring the next generation of cyclists, but if that wasn’t enough, NICA Community Members also receive exclusive discounts at Terrybicycles.com – Learn more and join the middle and high school cycling revolution today!
For more information on NICA and GRiT, visit www.nationalmtb.org and follow @nationalMTB on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
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