ST. JOSEPH – The Missouri Athletic Trainers’ Association (MoATA) has organized a “Safety in Football Campaign” in order to promote increased safety in football in the State of Missouri. It is the goal of the “Safety in Football Campaign” to help each and every football team in Missouri to identify ways in which they can lessen the risks of injury and keep the focus on the fun and camaraderie of football.
During the season opener on Thursday at Northwest Missouri, both the Griffon and Bearcat football teams will join numerous high schools and colleges by donning a small helmet sticker on the back of each player’s helmet. The sticker represents the cumulative efforts of these schools and the Athletic Training community towards improving safety in youth football in the state of Missouri.
Missouri Western head athletic trainer Blaise Kriley said he was happy to partner with Northwest Missouri and other colleges and high schools across the state on the initiative.
“This initiative is a great way for us to bring awareness to the positive work athletic training staffs across Missouri are performing,” Kriley said. “Our staff here at Missouri Western, the staff at Northwest Missouri and many others are constantly looking to do everything we can to ensure these young men are safe.”
All across the state of Missouri, athletic trainers are providing their clinical skill and expertise each and every day to improve the overall health and safety of their athletes. According to a study conducted by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the presence of athletic trainers in the secondary schools lowers overall injury rates, improves diagnosis and return-to-play decisions, and reduces the risk for recurrent injuries. In fact, the placement of athletic trainers in every secondary school that offers an athletic program is recommended by both the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine.
However, even if a school or athletic association does not have access to the healthcare services of an athletic trainer, there are still simple steps that every program or association can put in place to improve safety in football.
*Providing a properly and regularly maintained Automated External Defibrillator (AED) at all practices and games
*Coordinating Venue-Specific Emergency Action Plans with your local Emergency Medical Services provider
*Helping provide CPR/First Aid/AED Training for those who oversee youth athletes
*Having immediate access to cold-water immersion tubs during periods of hotter and more humid climates
*Enforcing current safety measures designed to eliminate head-first collisions
There are tremendous benefits for athletes who participate in football. These athletes have increased self-esteem, lower dropout rates in school, and demonstrate a stronger involvement in their school and community. It is the goal of the “Safety in Football Campaign” to help each and every football team in Missouri identify ways in which they can lessen the risks of injury and keep the focus on the fun and camaraderie of football.
Throughout the regular season for the 2018 high school season the Missouri Athletic Trainers Association will send out a weekly tip/information through social media platform to help further educate important topics in the sport today. Please follow along as we do so @MOATA1984 on Twitter.
To learn more about Safety in Football, contact Missouri Western head athletic trainer Blaise Kriley at 816-271-4597 or by email at [email protected].
About The Missouri Athletic Trainers’ Association (MoATA)
The Missouri Athletic Trainers’ Association purpose is to advance the athletic training profession by enhancing professional and leadership abilities and by providing encouragement, mentorship and improvement of opportunities in the profession of athletic training in the State of Missouri. For more information on the Missouri Athletic Trainers Association, visit moata.net.
— MWSU Athletics —