With student-athlete safety in the spotlight more than ever, one New York school is going above and beyond to minimize risk for their athletes.
The National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) awarded Yorktown (New York) High School the Safe Sports School award for its athletic program. The award recognizes schools that reinforce the importance of providing the best level of care, injury prevention and treatment. This is the first time a secondary school in New York has won this award.
“I am not surprised by this recognition,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ralph Napolitano in a Yorktown Central School District press release. “Our outstanding directors of athletics and facilities, athletic trainer, nurses and coaches are all committed to our athletes’ safety, health and overall well-being.”
In order to achieve Safe Sport School status, athletic programs must:
- 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 athletes and parents are educated of the potential benefits and risks in sports as well as their responsibilities
“We are honored to receive this recognition, and 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,” said Athletic Director Fio Nardone in the same press release. “Our goal is to lead our athletics program to the highest safety standards for our players.”