MEMPHIS/April 15, 2021 – Harding Academy of Memphis is proud to announce, in partnership with OrthoSouth, that the school has received the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) Safe Sports School award. The NATA Safe Sports School program champions safety and recognizes secondary schools that have met the recommended standards to improve safety in sports. The award reinforces the importance of providing the best level of care, injury prevention, and treatment. Harding’s Head Athletic Trainer Jennifer Dorman of OrthoSouth is additionally recognized for her leadership in promoting the safety and wellness of Harding’s student athletes.

“Harding Academy is honored to receive this 1st Team recognition from NATA,” said Greg Eubanks, Harding’s Athletic Director. “We are committed to keeping our student athletes safe during physical education classes, team practices, and games so they can accomplish their own goals of great competition, winning records, fair sportsmanship, and good health. Our goal is to lead our athletics program to the highest safety standards for our players. Jenn Dorman’s guidance as our head athletic trainer has been an essential part of our success in these areas.”

In order to achieve Safe Sports School status, as Harding Academy did, 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

The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has provided a new set of challenges requiring flexibility, focus, and determination by school administration, athletic directors, coaches, and athletic trainers. Winning the NATA Safe Sports School award in such a year is an exceptional achievement and a credit to the entire Harding Academy team.

About NATA: National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) – Health Care for Life & Sport

Athletic trainers are health care professionals who specialize in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of injuries and sport-related illnesses. They prevent and treat chronic musculoskeletal injuries from sports, physical and occupational activity, and provide immediate care for acute injuries. Athletic trainers offer a continuum of care that is unparalleled in health care. The National Athletic Trainers’ Association represents and supports 45,000 members of the athletic training profession. For more information, visit www.nata.org.