National program recognizes high schools that help to keep young athletes safe.
Notre Dame Preparatory School has been named the recipient of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association “Safe Sports School” award for its athletics program. 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.
"Notre Dame Preparatory School is honored to receive this Safe Sports School 1st Team recognition from the NATA,” said Chris Polsinelli, AT, ATC, who heads Notre Dame’s athletic training department.
“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.”
"At NDP, we strive to be on the cutting edge in terms of student athlete safety," Polsinelli added. "Receiving this award really reinforces our goal of allowing our students to participate in the activities they enjoy in a safe and healthy environment."
NATA President Scott Sailor, EdD, ATC, said that NATA remains committed to the health and welfare of young athletes in competitive sports.
“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,” Sailor said.
In order to achieve Safe Sport School status, Notre Dame’s athletic department accomplished the following:
– Created a positive athletic health care administrative system
– Provided or coordinated pre-participation physical examinations
– Promoted safe and appropriate practice and competition facilities
– Planned for selection, fit function and proper maintenance of athletic equipment
– Provided a permanent, appropriately equipped area to evaluate and treat injured athletes
– Developed injury and illness prevention strategies, including protocols for environmental conditions
– Provided or facilitated injury intervention
– Created and rehearsed a venue-specific Emergency Action Plan
– Provided or facilitated psychosocial consultation and nutritional counseling/education
– Ensured athletes and parents are educated of the potential benefits and risks in sports as well as their responsibilities
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.
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About Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy
Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy is a private, Catholic, independent, coeducational day school located in Oakland County. The school's upper division enrolls students in grades nine through twelve and has been named one of the nation's best 50 Catholic high schools (Acton Institute) four times since 2005. Notre Dame's middle and lower divisions enroll students in jr. kindergarten through grade eight. All three divisions are International Baccalaureate "World Schools." The Marist Fathers and Brothers sponsor NDPMA's Catholic identity and manages its educational program. Notre Dame is accredited by the National Association of Independent Schools, the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement. For more on Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy, visit the school's home page at www.ndpma.org.