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Motorcycle Coaches Association Summit starts

The newly formed U.S. Motorcycle Coaches Association will be hosting its inaugural Coaching Summit this week at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. About 200 prospective coaches are expected to attend in the lead-up to the Monster Energy AMA Supercross race.

Here’s the lineup for the Feb. 9-10 event:

Thursday, February 9

12:30–2 p.m. — Arrival & Registration

2–4 p.m. — Welcome & Presentations

4–4:15 p.m. — Break

4:15–4:45 p.m. — Getting Certified, Workshops, and Next Steps

4:45–5:45 p.m. — Q&A Session

5:45–6 p.m. — Closing Comments

Friday, February 10

8:30-9:15 a.m. — Being a Coach & Mentorship

9:30–10:15 a.m. — On and Off the Bike

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10:15-10:30 a.m. — Break

10:30–11:30 a.m. — Q&A Session

11:30–Noon — Closing Comments

Under the guidance of founders Mark Blackwell, Jon-Erik Burleson and Jeff Emig, the USMCA aims to “establish a network of skilled, certified coaches providing coaching, encouragement & support that fosters growth in the sport of motorcycling. Coaching is carried out by qualified people who work with clients to improve their effectiveness, performance and help them achieve their full potential,” according to group’s website at usmca.org.

“We studied other sports facing challenges similar to motorcycling that have been experiencing more growth and appear better positioned to attract new participants,” said USMCA board member Burleson. “We learned that the leaders in skiing, snowboarding and cycling believed well-established coaching programs were paramount to their success.”

The USMCA plans to follow the summit with a series of seven regional events held in the spring to gain input from coaches for the development of the initial curriculum. By September, the USMCA expects to certify at least 100 coaches. During the first year, coaching will focus on closed course off-road riding skills, from beginner level up to entry level motocross, and closed course on-road riding from beginner level to entry level road racing.

Longer-range goals for the USMCA leadership include the creation of a coaching structure and curriculum for most segments of the sport.

Support for the USMCA initiative has been widespread, with most major manufacturers from the U.S., Japan and Europe providing encouragement. Wells Fargo Commercial Distribution Finance has also committed initial funding to launch the USMCA initiative, including the initial Coaching Summit.

Besides Burleson, the USMCA’s Board of Directors includes two other founding members: Blackwell, motorcycle industry icon and AMA Hall of Fame legend, and former Supercross champion Emig, now a Fox Sports commentator for the series. Also on the seven-person board are coaching representatives (and former pro motocross racers) Nathan Ramsey and Buddy Antunez, plus industry representative Richard Zielfelder and industry association executive Tim Buche.

The USMCA held its first meeting in October at the Colorado Springs, Colo., headquarters for USA Cycling, which graciously hosted the gathering. USA Cycling’s director of Coaching Education and Athletic Development, Kevin Dessart, shared the association’s years of experience in successfully creating a robust coaching structure, which has helped stimulate growth as well as safer riding and racing in the sport of cycling.

Also presenting was Stephen Johnson, Ph.D., a clinical professor in the health sciences department of the University of Colorado Springs. Johnson served at the highest level in both the United States Skiing and Snowboarding Association and USA Cycling, where he was one of the first to recognize and initiate development of coaching structures for both sports, from the beginner level to Olympic athletes.

“We were very fortunate to come in contact with Dr. Johnson, who readily shared his 25 years of experience around coaching in USSA and USA Cycling organizations and sports,” Blackwell said. “His experience, and that of others from a variety of athletic fields, can certainly help in the development of the USMCA.”

“Much of the inspiration for the USMCA crystalized early this year with a visit from another AMA Hall of Fame Legend, Torsten Hallman,” Burleson said. “Hallman helped introduce motocross to the U.S. in the 1960s and graciously shared many of the initial steps that led to the sport’s growth. We found that pioneering mindset very inspirational.”

Coaches and others interested in the summit must register at the USMCA’s website, www.usmca.org.

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