At School Meeting on November 30, Head of School John C. Warren '74 announced that St. Mark's received the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) Safe Sports School award for its athletic training program led by Head Athletic Trainer Ashley Maddock and Assistant Athletic Trainer Ally Cromwell. The award champions safety and recognizes secondary schools that have met the recommended standards to improve safety in sports; it also reinforces the importance of providing the best level of care, injury prevention, and treatment.
According to Director of Athletics Lauren Ames, in order to achieve Safe Sports School 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 about the potential benefits and risks in sports as well as their responsibilities.
In celebration of Ms. Maddock's and Ms. Cromwell's outstanding work as athletic trainers at St. Mark's, Mr. Warren and Ms. Ames presented them with a framed award certificate from NATA.
"I feel truly honored to be able to care for our student athletes, and I'm very grateful that you all have been so supportive in what Ally and I do daily!" said Ms. Maddock.
Way to go, Lions!
Photo of John Warren, Ally Cromwell, Ashley Maddock, and Lauren Ames captured by Jackie Waters.
