Navigating the world as a teenager is chaotic. Trying to balance serious adult responsibilities of your first job, first car, first girlfriend/boyfriend; it can feel like the weight of the world is on you shoulders. All that fades away for just a moment when you step on the field/court/mat. Sports are more than just a game. They provide a temporary relief from the stress of life and allow kids to be kids for just a moment more. All while teaching teamwork, leadership, discipline, hard work, healthy coping mechanisms and more.
Keeping kids involved in sports is so vital and injuries can drastically affect their mental and physical health. Athletic trainers play such a huge role in supporting when your child gets hurt. But it goes beyond the physcial care that they provide. We get to be there the moment that it happens, we get to clarify what is going on and what they can expect which can seriously help the downward mental spiral that comes with the unknown. We also get to hold their hand every step of the way, remind them that every step counts when the road feels daunting and overwhelming, and help them see the light when everything is dark. We help them set small goals to help them recognize their progress. We give them something to sink their teeth into and focus on when they feel like its all outside of their control.
I have had the pleasure of working with the Safe Sports Network for the last 5 years. During that time, I have worked with some amazing student athletes. These kids deserve this care. Please consider donating to such an important and impactful cause.
Click Here if you want to learn more about Safe Sports Network athletes and student ambassadors for sports safety.
Santa Claus Shuffle
Saturday, December 7th, 2024 marks the 14th running of the BASC Santa Claus Shuffle. The shuffle is a 3-mile out-and-back course that starts and finishes at Veteran’s Park in downtown Manchester. Safe Sports Network is the Charity Beneficiary of the 2024 BASC Santa Claus Shuffle. Please join us in helping to keep kids safe and thriving through sports!
THE CAUSE
Imagine: A young athlete has collapsed on the field and isn’t moving. What happens in the next few minutes could make the difference between life and death. Is this something you want to leave to chance?
Safe Sports uses proven tools to help reduce the risk of sports participation. That’s our mission: to keep kids safer by promoting and providing a safe sports environment. All services provided free for over 6,000 students per year, including:
- injury care on site at high schools and an injury evaluation clinic in downtown Manchester;
- emergency action plans created and practiced for over 100 teams per year;
- CPR and first aid training;
- athletic health care on site at practices and games
- comprehensive concussion management programs;
- education on sports medicine topics.
Our athletic trainers work under the direction of Jim Vailas, MD who has been the Safe Sports Network Medical Director since its inception. Coordinating the daily operations is Program Director Dawn Belmore, MEd, N.H.LAT, ATC.
In the 2021-2022 school year, Safe Sports athletic trainers evaluated 1,200 new injuries, provided over 17,500 treatments at no charge to the athletes, and provided care at more than 250 appointments through our injury evaluation clinic. In partnership with ExpressMed we have performed approximately 10,000 free sports physicals over the last 3 decades.
For more information go to www.safesportsnetwork.org.