Barrington High School was recently named the recipient of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Safe Sports School award for its athletic training program. 

The award champions safety and recognizes secondary schools that provide safe environments for student athletes. The award reinforces the importance of providing the best level of care, injury prevention, and treatment.

“Barrington is honored to receive this first team recognition from NATA, and we remain committed to keeping our student-athletes safe during athletic team practices and games so they can accomplish their own goals of great competition, sportsmanship, and good health," said Barrington High School's director of athletics, George Finn. "Our goal is to lead our program with the highest safety standards for our players."

“We remain committed to the health and welfare of young athletes in competitive sports,” said NATA President Scott Sailor, EdD, ATC. “This award recognizes the contributions and commitment of schools across the country that are implementing safe sports policies and best practices to ensure athletes can do what they love best and have the appropriate care in place to prevent, manage and treat injuries should they occur.”

Barrington was recognized for filling a number of the award requirements: 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; and be sure athletes and parents are educated of the potential benefits and risks in sports as well as their responsibilities.