RENTON, Wash. – The Seattle Seahawks and NFL Foundation announced today a $50,000 grant has been awarded to the Department of Orthopedics and Sports Medicine at Seattle Children's and their Athletic Trainers program (AT). The grant will provide expanded coverage of certified athletic trainers during sporting events and activities for Renton and Tukwila school districts, including Foster High School, Hazen High School, Lindbergh High School and Renton High School.
"Athletic Trainers play a key role in preventing, diagnosing and managing injuries," said Sam Ramsden, Seahawks Director of Player Health and Performance. "This grant enables the certified athletic trainers to spend 200 additional hours at the schools which will provide more consistent coverage and help ensure the health and safety of the athletes."
Launched in 2008, Seattle Children's Licensed Certified Athletic Trainers helps athletes develop strength and flexibility to perform better and more safely throughout the season. ATs are skilled in the prevention, assessment, treatment and evaluation of both immediate and ongoing sports-related injuries.
"The Renton School District would like thank the NFL and Seahawks for the certified athletic trainer grant provided to Seattle Children's," said Brian Kaelin, Director of Athletics for Renton School District. "The grant will allow our trainers to serve more teams and athletes and insure they receive the medical attention that they need."
A recent study from the American Academy of Pediatrics showed that the presence of athletic trainers resulted in lower overall injury rates, improved diagnosis and return-to-play decisions for concussion and other injuries, and fewer recurrent injuries for student athletes. However, nearly two-thirds of high schools lack a full-time athletic trainer and almost thirty-percent do not have access to any athletic training services.
"The Tukwila School District is very grateful to the NFL and Seahawks for providing this grant that will greatly benefit our student athletes," said Harvard Jones, Director of Athletics, Tukwila School District. "Our athletic trainer Geniqua Harris, provided by Seattle Children's Hospital, is a great resource for our student athletes and the additional hours will allow her more time to work with them to prevent and manage injuries."
Visit Seattle Children’s Athletic Trainers Program for more information.
About Department of Orthopedics and Sports Medicine at Seattle Children's
For nearly a century, Seattle Children's has been helping children who have orthopedic conditions - conditions that affect their bones, joints and muscles. Seattle Children's Orthopedics and Sports Medicine department specializes in the particular needs of children and teens whose bones, growth plates, muscles and minds are still developing. Seattle Children's offers leading-edge surgical and nonsurgical treatment approaches, including magnets to treat severe scoliosis and limb disparities, MEHTA casting for early-onset scoliosis and spinal fusion. All of Seattle Children's providers have the extra depth of knowledge that comes from specialized training in both orthopedics and pediatrics. Our specialists see patients at every athletic level in all types of sports, including elite national athletes, Special Olympians, and children who have limb differences or need adaptive equipment. In 2015, U.S. News & World Report ranked Seattle Children's Orthopedics program No. 1 in the Pacific Northwest, and one of the best in the country.
About Seattle Children's Athletic Trainers Program
Seattle Children's Athletic Trainers Program provides on-site licensed athletic trainers to schools and other organizations during practices, home and away games and at other sporting events. The athletic trainers provide coverage to 27 public and private schools across the Puget Sound area. Trainers are experienced working with athletes from a wide variety of sports, including football, soccer, lacrosse, gymnastics, wrestling, basketball, baseball, softball, track and field, tennis, golf, swimming, volleyball, cross country and roller derby.
