Harriton, Lower Merion trainers receive National Athletic Trainers’ Association Safe Sports School Award

In today’s world of competitive athletics at the high school level the one person that has become too familiar to many student-athletes and parents is the certified athletic trainer.
When a student-athlete suffers an injury it becomes the responsibility of the trainer to ensure a safe return to the playing arena. In early October, the National Trainers’ Association awarded Lower Merion High School Certified Athletic Trainer Jena Harris and Harriton High School Certified Athletic Trainer Jamie Goldberg with the Safe School Sports Award.
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.
“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.”
According to a press release issued, in order to achieve Safe Sport status 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 athletes and parents are educated of the potential benefits and risks in sports as well as their responsibilities
Through a partnership with Rothman Institute Goldberg has been with Harriton High School since the fall of 2013 with Harris starting at Lower Merion in December of 2013.
“It is great to have a dedicated professional that continues to work on her own education while providing a great service to our students,” said Harriton Athletics and Activities Director Tom Ferguson. “Her work has helped to keeping our students healthy and on the field. The partnership with Rothman has helped our programs grow and remain competitive in our league. Jamie is part of the Harriton community and has developed strong ties within the Harriton community.”
Lower Merion Athletic and Activities Director Don Walsh added, “Jena has done a tremendous job working with our athletes, families, and coaches during her time at Lower Merion. To have Jena recognized nationally for her dedication, planning, and knowledge is something we are all proud of.”