East Central High School is the recipient of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) Safe Sports School award for its high school athletics program!

The award champions safety and recognizes secondary schools that have met the recommended standards to improve safety in sports.

Despite its obvious benefits, physical activity – especially competitive sports – is not without risk. Risk is not limited to one or two sports; athletes
may be injured or become ill while cheerleading or in a marching band, as well as while playing soccer, football, volleyball, basketball or lacrosse.

Fortunately, schools can institute plans and procedures through a series of steps, and the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) encourages the highest degree of safety for student athletes. To recognize the effort of schools that take action, NATA awards its prestigious Safe Sports School award to schools that show that their athletic programs meet the criteria described below.

In order to achieve a Safe Sports School status, athletics programs are required to adhere to the following:

• Create a comprehensive athletic health care administrative system
• Provide or coordinate per-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 venue-specific Emergency Action Plans
• Provide or facilitate psycho-social consultation and nutritional counseling/education
• Educate athletes and parents about the potential benefits and risks in sports as well as their responsibilities