FOLEY — Foley High School is the recipient of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Safe Sports School award for its athletic department. The award champions safety and recognizes secondary schools that provide safe environments for student athletes. The award reinforces the importance of providing the best level of care, injury prevention and treatment.

“Foley High is honored to receive this recognition from NATA,” said Sean Ahonen, athletic trainer. And we remain committed to keeping our student athletes safe (in) 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.”

In order to achieve Safe Sport School status, as Foley High School did, athletic programs must do the following:

• Create a positive athletic health care administrative system

• Provide or coordinate pre-participation physical examinations

• Promote safe and appropriate practice and competition facilities

• Plan for selection, fit function and proper maintenance of athletic equipment

• Provide a permanent, appropriately equipped area to evaluate and treat injured athletes

• Develop injury and illness prevention strategies, including protocols for environmental conditions

• Provide or facilitate injury intervention

• Create and rehearse a venue-specific Emergency Action Plan

• Provide or facilitate psychosocial consultation and nutritional counseling/education

• Be sure that athletes and parents are educated of the potential benefits and risks in sports as well as their responsibilities

“We remain committed to the health and welfare of young athletes in competitive sports,” says NATA President Scott Sailor, EdD, ATC. “This award recognizes the contributions and commitment of schools across the country that are implementing safe sports policies and best practices to ensure athletes can do what they love best and have the appropriate care in place to prevent, manage and treat injuries should they occur.”

About NATA, the National Athletic Trainers’ Association: The National Athletic Trainers' Association represents and supports 44,000 members of the athletic training profession. Visit NATA.org and visit Athletictrainers.org for more information.