Since implementing the GRiT program in 2018, female participation in the league has increased by almost 26%, but we still have a long way to go to reach our goal of 33%.
2023 participation
GRiT Student-athletes - 26%
GRiT Coaches - 26%
GRiT kicked off in 2018 as a nationwide program to promote more girls riding bikes and participating in NICA. The Utah League works with GRiT Coaches and GRiT Ambassadors to increase female participation through outreach and events.
Grit coaches
We are always looking for female coaches who are excited to help get more girls on bikes. Please use the link below to sign up to be a GRiT coach.
GRiT coaches can choose their level of involvement, from assisting with a couple of rides to organizing GRiT activities in their area.
grit ambassadors
GRiT Ambassadors are current female Utah League student-athletes who have raced for at least one year and are passionate about getting more girls on bikes. One female student-athlete from each team will be selected as a GRiT ambassador. For those teams that contain both middle school and high school student-athletes, one GRiT ambassador will be chosen for each age group.
GRiT Ambassadors will be invited to the GRiT Summit and asked to help with other GRiT programming in their region.
Events
GRiT & SASS GO CLASSES
We are excited to offer GRiT - SASS GO classes this season to all GRiT riders and female coaches ages 15 years and older. SASS GO is a non-profit organization dedicated to eradicating abuse, assault and human trafficking. Right now in the United States, 1 in 3 women will be assaulted or abused during her lifetime. These atrocities cause harm to not only the survivor, but the entire family unit, and the ripples are felt throughout our communities. SASS GO empowers women and girls with the mental and physical skills to identify, avoid, and defend against the most common threats to her safety. Participants will learn tactical moves to defend against lifts, grabs, chokes and much more in SASS 1. The class is designed for women ages 15 on up, at any fitness level. SASS focuses on the strengths women are born with to quickly and effectively fight against an attackers greatest weaknesses. Though serious topics, these classes are FUN, and you can expect lots of smiles and belly laughs! By the end of class, they'll know just how powerful they truly are, and that they are ALWAYS worth the fight!
SASS GO classes are for women only, to provide the utmost in comfort and safety. This is not only for the new participant... this is for the silent survivors who may have already experienced trauma. You already know the statistics, so it's no surprise that there are survivors in every class. For this reason, the SASS GO program features trauma informed instructors, and sensitivity programming. Though the focus is on prevention, instructors have witnessed first-hand how healing these classes can be for survivors. SASS GO is looking forward to making a difference in Utah and the Girls Riding Together program so we can say - NOT ONE MORE.
SASS GO is a non-profit organization, working in communities from California to South Carolina, and beyond our borders to eradicate abuse, assault and human trafficking. Please learn more about the many ways they are continuing this mission at www.sassgo.org.
Date, time, and location:
Classes for 2024 are being arranged. If you’re interested in attending a class let us know by clicking this link.
grit leadership summitS
Region:
TBA
Date:
TBA
This one-day GRiT Leadership Summit is for GRiT Ambassadors and GRiT Coaches only. The summit will include team management seminars, recruitment classes, and opportunities to share ideas.
Contact Tera at with questions about GRiT.