Ravenscroft has again been recognized with the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Safe Sports School Award. The award champions safety and recognizes secondary schools that have met the recommended standards to improve safety in sports. 

The designation is good for three years. Ravenscroft first achieved this status in 2020.

In order to achieve Safe Sports School status, schools complete an in-depth questionnaire that assesses adherence to best practice standards and recommendations. They must demonstrate that they have done 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

Ravenscroft’s Athletic Department includes three full-time athletic trainers who provide a range of preventive, emergent and rehabilitative services for student-athletes. Student trainers from the school’s Sports Medicine classes provide additional supports. 

“The Safe Sports School Award demonstrates Ravenscroft’s commitment to caring for the health and well-being of our student-athletes,” head trainer Sofia Cole ’11 said. “Receiving this recognition is a true testament to the hard work and dedication that the athletic training staff and Athletic Department put forth each day to be the best that we can be for our athletes to help them reach their full potential.” 

Athletic Director Ned Gonet seconded that sentiment. 

“We are very fortunate to have three full-time trainers on staff who are very talented in their trade and put the care and concern of our student-athletes first and foremost,” he said. “They provide an atmosphere of safety and professionalism at all times and do a great job with addressing the well-being of all of our athletes as well as follow-up and treatment for return to play. Congratulations once again for them earning this distinguished honor again as a first-team member.”

The National Athletic Trainers’ Association represents and supports more than 40,000 members of the athletic training profession, health-care professionals who specialize in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries and sport-related illnesses. Learn more about their work on the NATA website.