NORWICH – The life-long sport of Cross Country Mountain Biking focuses on both adventure and competition. In 2009, the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) was founded. Now in 21 states across the country, NICA has began to change the sport for several local student-athletes of the Norwich and Sherburne areas.

For the past six years, the NICA New York League has been a gateway for kids – ages in the middle school and high school ranges – to explore the sport of mountain biking.

The 2018 season sees the Galena Growlers team name for the first year but some of the members have now been a part of the New York League for three years.

The Galena Growlers are a NICA Composite team that is a non-school based club team for a geographic region that allows kids to get into the sport of cycling and/or Mountain Biking in particular, a life-long sport. The Growlers are open to all students – public, private or home schooled – located within Chenango County.

While everyone is not required to race, some of the local student-athletes thrive on the competition aspect the sport is now beginning to provide as member of the Galena Growlers.

Currently consisting of riders from 6th-12th grade, student-athletes from Norwich and Sherburne-Earlville school districts, 14 riders will return for head coach Rob Baker along with the four other coaches. All coaches who are involved in helping the team are certified with the NICA from Level 1 to Level 3.

As the team’s existence has become more well known in the area, Baker stated he is expecting to add at least 14 new riders to join the Growlers 2018 team, including three high school girls, a first for the group.

“The goal is all about having #MoreKidsOnBikes in the Chenango County area,” said Baker as the team is currently a club level sport.