Alton Memorial Jr. High and Kenneth White Jr. High are both the recipients of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) Safe Sports School Award for their athletic program. The award supports safety and recognizes secondary schools that have met the recommended standards to improve safety in sports. The award reinforces the importance of providing the best level of care, injury prevention, and treatment.
“We are honored to receive not one but two first place recognitions from NATA,” said Leticia Ibarra, athletic director. “We remain committed to keeping our student athletes safe during physical education classes, team practices, and games so they can accomplish their own goals of great competition, winning records, fair sportsmanship, and good health. Our goal is to lead our athletics program to the highest safety standards for our players.”
According to Tory Lindley (NATA president), the health of student athletes is critical due to its immediate and long-term effects that is the reason NATA created the Safe Sports School Award. This was how NATA could recognize and champion schools nationwide that committed to enhancing safety in sports.
“We are proud to see the list of award recipients grow exponentially each year as schools see the immense value in holding themselves to best practices and policies that ensure a high standard of athlete care,” states Lindley.
To be named a Safe Sports School recipient, athletic programs must create a positive athletic health care administrative system, provide and coordinate pre-participation physical examinations, promote safe and appropriate practice and competition facilities, plan for selection, fit function and proper maintenance of athletic equipment, and other similar criteria.
To apply, schools complete an in-depth questionnaire that assesses adherence to best practice standards and recommendations. For more information about the Safe Sports School Award, please visit www.athletictrainers.org .