DALLAS, October 14, 2016 – The National Athletic Trainers’ Association announced today that nominations are open now through December 2, 2016, for the third annual Youth Sports Safety Ambassador Awards.
The awards recognize individuals and/or entities that have made a significant contribution to advancing athlete safety based on one of two criteria:
- By providing exemplary youth sports safety protocols and care that set a precedent and/or model that others can follow.
- By advancing youth sports safety in one of the following areas: provision of appropriate medical care, research, policy change and/or resource allocation.
“NATA champions the significant contributions of leaders in youth sports safety research, education and legislation,” said NATA president Scott Sailor, EdD, ATC. “We are proud to honor some of the best in their field with the Youth Sports Safety Ambassador Awards and know their advances can help save lives.”
The awards will be presented at the eighth Youth Sports Safety Summit on March 7, 2017, in Indianapolis. The Summit is hosted annually by NATA and the Youth Sports Safety Alliance, which comprises more than 270 organizations committed to keeping young athletes safe.
Previous award recipients:
Dawn Comstock, PhD, associate professor, Colorado School of Public Health, is one of the country’s leading high school injury surveillance published researchers whose studies have influenced policy change and best practices.
Dallas (Texas) Independent School District hired one or more full-time athletic trainers for all high schools in the district, reinforcing its commitment to athlete safety.
The NFL Foundation’s numerous efforts include the Athletic Trainer Grant Initiative, which provided matching grants to NFL clubs to fund athletic trainers in underserved middle schools, high schools and youth leagues nationwide.
Project ADAM (Automated Defibrillators in Adam's Memory) works with high schools and communities to prevent sudden cardiac arrest through education and lifesaving programs and to assist schools in acquiring AEDs.
U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (NJ-09) plays a significant leadership role in the U.S. Congress in advocating for student athlete safety and is dedicated to educating others about the dangers of traumatic brain injury (TBI).
USA Football has an innovative and comprehensive approach to teaching and playing the sport, addressing how coaches are trained, athletes are taught, parents are informed and safety is handled.
Anyone can submit a nomination for the Youth Sports Safety Ambassador Awards. For additional information including award eligibility and the online application, visit www.nata.org/ambassador-awards.
About NATA: National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) – Health Care for Life & Sport
Athletic trainers are health care professionals who specialize in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries and sport-related illnesses. They prevent and treat chronic musculoskeletal injuries from sports, physical and occupational activity, and provide immediate care for acute injuries. Athletic trainers offer a continuum of care that is unparalleled in health care. The National Athletic Trainers' Association represents and supports 43,000 members of the athletic training profession. Visit www.nata.org. At Your Own Risk is NATA’s public awareness campaign designed to educate, provide resources and equip the public to act and advocate for safety in work, life and sport. In an effort to provide comprehensive information, the association has launched a website that provides recommendations on keeping student athletes and communities active and employees safe on the job. Visit AtYourOwnRisk.org.
