Equality is not synonymous with equity. Equality is treating everyone the same. Equity is giving everyone the respective tools needed to be equally successful. Colonial Revolution is making a concentrated effort to increase the number of girls and female coaches in our programs by focusing on creating a more welcoming environment for girls to join cycling-related sports through girls-only events, rides, camps, clinics, and socializing opportunities. Below are a few opportunities to consider:
Currently, girls represent 20% of the National Interscholastic Cycling Association’s (NICA) overall national student-athlete participation. NICA GRiT (Girls Riding Together) seeks to increase that number significantly over the next five years. The GRiT Program is NICA’s effort to recruit and retain more girls and female coaches in NICA programs.
Colonial Revolution has set up a GRiT program with separate practices intended for female student-athletes who choose to participate in them. We also participate in league-sponsored GRiT programs too. Activities are focused on increasing girls’ awareness of NICA programs by offering girls-only social and riding opportunities for girls, moms, friends, siblings, and female coaches. You can find out more about NICA’s initiative here: https://nationalmtb.org/grit/
Are you looking for an alternative to mountain biking for girls? If so, check out another organization called “Girls in Gear.” https://www.girlsingear.org/home
They are independent of Colonial Revolution but may be suitable for you. Girls in Gear is an eight-week program for riders ages 5+ who want to build confidence on and off their bikes. Weekly meetings focus on a mix of emotional development, conversations, bike maintenance, and riding skills. The goal of the program is to introduce the joy of safe cycling to young riders while creating a supportive environment fostering personal growth. They host unique programs for riders ages 5-7, 8-10, 11-13, and 14+.
Each lesson has a theme that ties together the opening conversation, connections to biking, and a skill-building section. In this environment, conversations on asking for help lead to understanding how to change gears on a bicycle; resilience and grit are framed around what to do if you fall off your bicycle; and assertive communication opens up a lesson on hand-signaling while riding.
All gender identity coaches are welcome to volunteer also.
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