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Meet Tiffany Kirkbride

Tiffany is this month's MEET THE COACH feature! As a head coach, team director, and Ohio coach supporter, Tiffany brings a wealth of teaching experience and knowledge to her team and league. Find out more about Tiffany and learn her #1 tip for coaches below!
Each month we'll interview an outstanding coach from our NICA community. Know someone who should be highlighted? Share with us!
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Name: Tiffany Kirkbride
Pronouns: She/her
League: Ohio
Team: Grove City Mountain Bike Team
Roles: Head coach, team director, Ohio coach supporter
Number of years as a coach: 2 years with NICA, plus 8 years of gymnastics
Number of years riding: 6 years of riding, started mountain biking when NICA came to Ohio!

Why did you become a NICA coach? 

I have always been passionate about teaching. I coached gymnastics for 8 years and it really made me feel like I was making an impact on these kids’ lives. You are not only coaching a sport, you are sprinkling in life lessons at the same time whether they realize it or not. When I heard about NICA coming to Ohio, I immediately knew that I needed to bring this to my community. I transitioned from coaching competitive gymnastics to mountain biking which was a little intimidating because I was not a mountain biker. I have led adults’ and kids’ rides in our community and really found a love for cycling on pavement and some gravel. Once I started riding in the woods, it was just like stepping into a whole new world.

What’s the best part about coaching with NICA?

My favorite thing about coaching is seeing riders progress and become more confident. A handful of those kids came from the group rides that we did around town. We were all learning together. I keep coaching because I love getting more kids on bikes and helping kids find a hobby that they may not have ventured into on their own. The best part of coaching with NICA is the support of the organization and how fast everyone falls in love with it. Even the kids who don’t like to race show up and bring all of their energy into the games and short courses that we do. It gives older kids a chance to become mentors. Those riders have already asked to come back and coach after they graduate! And parents see how much fun their kids are having and want to join in too! My parents quickly become coaches and it is something that the whole family can do. NICA is just awesome!

Do you have a favorite NICA moment?

One of them was at a race where my husband was a roving marshal. We were at a venue with a camp store, and he kept asking for ice cream in the feed zone! So, a coach from another team came back and said “here is some ice cream for the roving marshal!” It was a fabulous hand off.

Another great moment was having a parent come up to me and say that she loves that her son joined this team. Her son was struggling up a pretty aggressive hill during a race and another rider from another team came up behind him and just expressed words of encouragement as he was slowly passing him up the hill. My rider said that it was his words of encouragement that kept him going because he was about to just walk the rest of the course.

What’s your best coaching pro-tip?

My best tip is to have FUN. Don’t be afraid to look goofy. Don’t be afraid to mess up in front of your riders. Being vulnerable helps them relate to you and be more comfortable asking for help.

What's your favorite NICA game?

Alien invasion!

Don’t be afraid to look goofy. Don’t be afraid to mess up in front of your riders. Being vulnerable helps them relate to you and be more comfortable asking for help.
Tiffany Kirkbride

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

Do what you are comfortable with. Push yourself as far as you want to go, not how far you think you need to go. And don’t stop being a kid, ever.

Thanks to Tiffany for sharing her story as our first-ever MEET THE COACH feature!

If you're an Ohio coach and you see Tiffany around, be sure to say “hi” and connect.
Each month we'll interview an outstanding coach from our NICA community. Know someone who should be highlighted? Share with us!
Nominate a coach