Over the last 16 years, American mountain bikers have watched the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) grow from a grassroots youth cycling organization into a nationwide phenomenon serving over 25,000 young riders. In addition to the affiliated NICA leagues, many other states have started their own non-affiliated youth mountain biking leagues, meaning that this trend of competitive youth MTB racing is even larger still.
Now, NICA is taking its team-based approach to youth mountain biking global — and Australia is first on the list. NICA officially announced its first international expansion on September 30, 2025, with full-scale operations launching in Australia beginning this November.
“We’re excited to bring NICA’s impact to a global audience and create opportunities for kids to thrive – especially in Australia, where there’s such a vibrant cycling and sports culture,” said NICA U.S. President Amanda Carey. “We believe that every kid deserves a sports experience where they can participate and belong – our goal is to share programs that foster both a lifelong love of cycling and a sense of community. Bringing NICA to a wider audience will help us achieve our goal of reaching even more kids with the transformative power of bikes.”
The Australian expansion comes after a successful pilot year that included a series of “Give it a Go” events designed to introduce Australian youth to NICA’s inclusive, team-based mountain biking model. “The Give it a Go events were a huge success,” said Lynn Frerichs, General Manager for NICA Australia. “It’s clear that our mountain biking scene is thriving, and there is an appetite for this kind of team-supported mountain biking for kids here.”
That appetite showed up in force. The final event in February drew over 140 young athletes to the Stromlo Trails in Canberra — a promising sign for the organization’s first season outside the United States.
Why NICA works
For those unfamiliar with the model, NICA operates as a nonprofit that organizes cross-country mountain biking programs for riders aged 12-17. But the organization’s mission extends far beyond race results. NICA describes its work as “building strong minds, bodies, character, and communities using bikes as the catalyst.”
The foundation of NICA’s success? Local volunteer coaches and an inclusive philosophy that welcomes every kid, regardless of experience level. There are no tryouts, no cuts — just opportunities to ride.
“Kids who might not find their home in other traditional sports will often fall in love with mountain biking,” said Eddie Freyer, Strategic Advisor for NICA Australia, who has previously led NICA programs in two U.S. states. “And NICA’s philosophy is that every kid should get to ride. There are no try-outs, and every single kid gets to participate, because we meet them where they’re at in terms of skills and goals.”
Getting started in Australia
NICA Australia’s inaugural season will focus on creating teams around the Australian Capital Territory, southern New South Wales, and High Country Victoria, with plans to expand to other regions in the future.
The organization is actively recruiting volunteer coaches, and you don’t need to be an experienced mountain biker to get involved. NICA provides comprehensive coach education, training, infrastructure, insurance, screening, and resources. According to Frerichs, it only takes one interested individual to start a team.
“We want to connect with anyone who has a desire to get kids outside, off screens, and participating in a fun, healthy activity,” said Frerichs. “You do not need to have experience with mountain biking or coaching – we’re looking for people who are excited to improve kids’ lives and their local communities using bikes.”
Team registration opens November 1, and NICA Australia will be on the ground at Sea Otter Australia from October 24-26 for anyone interested in learning more.
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