San Juan Hills High School, from Capistrano Unified, received the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Safe Sports School award for its efforts to provide safe and supportive environments for student athletes.
The award recognizes schools nationally that provide the best level of care, injury prevention and treatment.
The National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) is the professional membership association for certified athletic trainers and others who support the athletic training profession.
“SJHHS is honored to receive this recognition from NATA, and 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,” said SJHHS Athletic Trainer, Micah Ohlen. “Our goal is to lead our athletics program to the highest safety standards for our players.”
To become eligible for the award, schools must meet each of the following criteria:
- 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
Five local schools have won the honor in the past. They are Brea Olinda High in Brea Olinda Unified, Northwood High in Irvine Unified, Beckman High in Tustin Unified, Valley High in Santa Ana Unified, and Edison High in Huntington Beach Union.