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Meet Josh Foster

As a head coach for Bentonville West NICA, Josh was recently nominated by the NICA community and recognized as a NICA Coach of the Year. Josh brings deep experience, plus thoughtfulness and a sense of humility to his work as a coach. Find out more about Josh and learn why he suggests that you help to make heroes of those around you.

Name: Josh Foster
Pronouns: He/him
League: Arkansas NICA
Team: Bentonville West NICA
Role: Head Coach
Number of years as a coach: 3 years with NICA, 14 years in a myriad of sports!
Number of years riding: Learned at age six, started riding mountain bikes about 5 years ago

Why did you become a NICA coach?

I became a NICA coach because I was asked to help out with a team who just needed more volunteers. I stayed because helping kids build strong bodies, minds, and character with bikes is one of the most rewarding pieces of my life. The best part about coaching is watching the riders exceed their own expectations, I love watching all the racers in our league ride well!

Learn from everyone. If you’re able to humble yourself and listen to everyone around you, even if you think they might not have the skills or knowledge, you will learn about how to have a different mentality, outlook on life, love of things, and how to live in a way you’re not used to. Everyone has things to teach you. Listen well.
Josh Foster

What’s your favorite NICA game?

Foot Down! The slow speed bike control is so important! As well as learning how to ride while laughing with your friends!

Do you have a favorite NICA moment?

Watching one of my racers who we taught to ride a bike during the summer, finish his first full race with no crashes, while passing over 30 other riders! The sense of pride and accomplishment he felt in that moment was palpable and was celebrated by his teammates and coaches. It’s amazing what you can do with a little bit of hard work and determination!

What’s your best coaching pro-tip?

Make heroes. Recognize the great things about your riders, coaches, competitors, etc. When you make heroes of your people, they will continue to exceed your expectations, they will lead confidently, and they will be more confident because you believe in them.

What’s one piece of advice that you have for NICA student-athletes?

Learn from everyone. If you’re able to humble yourself and listen to everyone around you, even if you think they might not have the skills or knowledge, you will learn about how to have a different mentality, outlook on life, love of things, and how to live in a way you’re not used to. Everyone has things to teach you. Listen well.

Thanks to Josh for sharing his story. We are grateful to all of our incredible coaches and the impacts they make within their NICA communities!
Congratulations, Josh, for your Coach of the Year award!

If you’re an Arkansas NICA coach and you see Josh around, be sure to say “hi” and connect. If you’re traveling to Bentonville…you may run into Josh and his team on the trails!

Did you enjoy this MEET THE COACH feature? Each month we’ll interview an outstanding coach from our NICA community.

Do you know someone who should be highlighted? Share with us!

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