Welcome to �St. Louis City Composite �Info Night

April 30, 2026

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Agenda

• Introduction
• NICA
• Team
• Community
• Required equipment
• Fees
• Pre-season events
• Practices

• Races
• Family involvement
• Athlete & family expectations
• How to join
• Q&A
• Reminders & things to do
• Resources

NICA Mission & Vision

NICA Mission

We build strong minds, bodies, character, and communities through cycling.

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NICA Vision

Every youth is empowered to be part of a thriving and engaged cycling community.

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NICA Values

Fun: NICA inspires friendship, joy and adventure.

Inclusivity: NICA believes everyone should be able to participate in our programs and feel welcomed, respected and supported.

Equity: NICA is committed to fair treatment, equal access, opportunity, advancement and elimination of barriers to encourage participation for all.

Respect: NICA expects consideration for all others, oneself and the outdoors.

Community: NICA unites diverse people, families and communities through cycling by creating fun and welcoming experiences.

St. Louis City Composite (SLCC)

We are a cross country mountain bike team for grades 6-12 in the Missouri Interscholastic Cycling League (MICL), a league of the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA). The team was founded in 2020. We grew from 12 student athletes at our first practice to 80 in 2025.

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We are a “composite” team because we welcome athletes from any high school or middle school in SLPS district, including charter, private, and homeschool.

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2026 Teams

• With rapid growth, we expanded into two teams for 2026: St. Louis City Composite West and St. Louis City Composite East
• Why? To get even more kids on bikes and and center our core values
• The boundary is roughly Vandeventer/Tower Grove Avenue/Morganford (map)
• Collegiate High School and Metro High School are two separate teams, but Collegiate will practice with East and Metro with West

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2023 NICA OutstandingTeam of the Year

In 2024, we awarded Team of the Year out of 1000+ teams nationwide!

SLCC Community

• No tryouts or cuts and no experience necessary. Everyone participates!
• 74% of NICA athletes and coaches have never mountain biked before joining
• We strive to create a welcoming, fun and equitable environment for all student-athletes and coaches
• In 2025, we had 81 student-athletes and 46 certified coaches
• Over 35% of our athletes were girls
• 24% were athletes of color
• Coaching staff was 42% women

Equipment

• Bike in good working order
• No BMX bikes
• Hybrid OK in beginning
• No coaster brakes- hand brakes only
• No single speeds at races
• Front suspension is cool but not required
• If looking to upgrade, prioritize disk brakes and front suspension
• Helmet always required- no exceptions
• Water bottle or hydration pack
• Cycling gloves and eye protection
• Flat fix kit (we’ll teach you how to use it)
• Good to have: padded bike shorts and stiff soled shoes

Yearly Fees

• NICA Registration Fee: $375
• This goes to NICA and Missouri league
• Payable at time of Pit Zone registration
• Team Fee: $150
• 100% of this stays with the team; includes race and practice jersey, water bottle, socks, team parties and awards
• TOTAL: $525
• Some scholarships are available; ask Katie or Stephanie
• Fees cover highly skilled coaches, 2-3 practices/week, 5 race weekends and full race support
• Non Profit Status- St. Louis City Composite is a registered 501(c)(3), so donations are tax deductible. Team fees and merchandise purchases are not tax deductible. If you would like to donate to the team or reach the Board, please reach out to Sara Pointer, sara@southcitymtb.org

Pre-Season Events

Pre-Season Events (cont.)

*Each team will also have a gear and bike check and new athlete skills clinic that is mandatory for all athletes.

East Practice Schedule

*Monday and Wednesday practice times will change as the sun sets earlier*

West Practice Schedule

Day & Time

Location

Focus

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*Tuesday and Thursday practice times will change as the sun sets earlier*

What does practice look like?

• Skills instructions
• Targeted
• Progressive
• Bike games
• Reinforces skills
• Team building
• Fun!
• Short track- practice skills, basic riding and race tactics
• Fun races for practice and team building
• Trail rides- groups based on skill and experience

Racing

• Not required but tons of fun!
• Race jersey is required and is included in team fees for new athletes
• 5 in the fall throughout the state- family event weekend
• More info as season progresses
• New family race meeting and Q&A session in early August

2026 Race Dates

Family Involvement

• Volunteering
• Many positions available from party planning to race support
• Each family should volunteer at least 3 hours per season
• Coaching
• Absolutely no experience necessary
• We will teach you everything you need to know
• Must be a licensed coach to ride with the team or volunteer at practices
• Race weekends
• Families are encouraged to attend races
• Family cheering section and opportunity to get to know other families
• Volunteer for the team or league

Athlete and Family Expectations

• Follow NICA Code of Conduct
• Be safe
• Be responsible
• Be respectful
• Pay team fees before team jersey order
• Each family should volunteer at least 3 hours per season
• Come to most practices; be on time
• Listen to coaches and teammates; don’t talk when others are talking
• Support teammates at practice, school and in the greater community
• Use Team Snap for all communication and scheduling
• RSVP to practices and events for proper coaching coverage

How to Join

• Let one of team leaders know you want to join
• Be invited to register in Pit Zone, NICA’s online registration system
• Register, review and acknowledge athlete code of conduct and waivers and pay fees in Pit Zone
• Accept invite for Team Snap, complete your profile and turn on alerts
• Pay team fees (invoiced through Team Snap)
• Fill out team intake form; this is required for a team shirt

Thank You to Our Generous Sponsors*

Official Bike Shop- South Side Cyclery Title Sponsor- River City Outdoors

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Platinum Sponsors

Route 3 Films - St. Louis Auto Show - St. Louis Auto Dealers Association

Gold Sponsors

St. Louis BWorks - FSE Coaching - Local Harvest - Precision STL

Rockwell Beer Co - Shawgo Studios - Tremendousness - Jump Company - XYZ Type

Silver Sponsors

CoFlow - Parker’s Table -Simplified Home STL

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*Sponsorship window is still open! Speak with a team leader or check out our sponsorship proposal if you would like to help get more kids on bikes!

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS!

Q&A

• What questions do you have?
• Head Coach SLCC East: Ben Kiel - ben@southcitymtb.org
• Head Coach SLCC West: Tony Barbata - tony@southcitymtb.org
• SLCC East & Collegiate Team Director: Katie Matthias - katie@southcitymtb.org
• SLCC West Team Director: Stephanie Bolego - stephanie@southcitymtb.org
• Metro High School Team Director: Mattie White - mattie @southcitymtb.org

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Reminders & Things to Do

• Let us know if you want to join the team!
• Register for the 2026 season in Pit Zone
• Pay team fees when invoiced (scholarships available)
• Complete team intake form (you’ll receive this after you register in PZ)
• Download Team Snap and complete your profile and include a clear, helmet-free headshot
• Get your bike serviced at South Side Cyclery or talk to them about a new bike
• Order your race jersey; coupon code will be provided
• Follow the team on Facebook and Instagram
• Mark your calendars for our pre-season events

Helpful Links & Resources

• Try-It-Out registration form
• SLCC interest form- contact team to ask questions or ask to join
• 2026 East team info
• 2026 West team info
• NICA waiver- submit to participate in event before registering
• NICA Pit Zone- online registration for athletes and coaches
• Team fee scholarship application
• Team volunteer positions
• Missouri League website
• Missouri League scholarship application
• Our website- will include race schedules, equipment lists, practice and bike tips, and other important resources