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TEXAS LEGISLATURE SENDS INTERSCHOLASTIC SPORTS SAFETY BILL TO GOVERNOR FOR SIGNATURE
Author: NCSS Information Team
BIRMINGHAM, AL, MAY 30, 2007: ON MAY 22ND, THE TEXAS STATE LEGISLATURE PASSED BILL S.B. 82 AND DELIVERED IT TO THE GOVERNOR FOR SIGNATURE ON MAY 22ND.
THIS BILL, WHICH REQUIRES ALL COACHES, TRAINERS, SPONSORS, AND VOLUNTEERS INTERACTING WITH STUDENTS IN EXTRACARRICULAR ACTIVITIES WILL LEAD THE WAY FOR MANDATED SPORTS SAFETY EDUCATION THROUGHOUT TEXAS.
“WE ARE VERY PLEASED WITH TEXAS' DECISION TO PLACE SPORTS SAFETY EDUCATION AS ONE OF ITS HIGHEST PRIORITIES,” SAID MATTHEW LEMAK, ACTING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR SPORTS SAFETY. “TEXAS AND ALABAMA HAVE OBVIOUSLY SEEN THE IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING STUDENT ATHLETES SAFE, AND WE APPLAUD THEIR INITIATIVES.”
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE BILL IN PDF FORMAT
About NCSS:
The NCSS was founded by renowned orthopaedic surgeon Lawrence J. Lemak, M.D. in 2001 to promote the importance of injury prevention and safety on all levels of youth sports through education and research.
The vision of the NCSS is to standardize the level of care available to athletes on and off the playing field. By educating youth coaches in sports safety techniques and skills, they will gain the knowledge and confidence to prevent and respond to injuries and emergency situations appropriately until professional help arrives.
In 2004, the NCSS in conjunction with the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA), launched a comprehensive sports safety course called PREPARE. The course, which is available online at www.SportsSafety.org, is targeted at volunteer coaches and parents, many of whom have no formal training and need the basics in sports safety education. PREPARE covers everything from minor blisters and ankle sprains to life-threatening head and neck injuries. In approximately two-three hours, coaches and parents learn vital skills that could help save a child's life.
“This movement to 'raise the standard' is so important to keep our youth athletes healthy and safe,” says Lawrence J. Lemak, M.D., founder of the NCSS. “There is not one parent that would drop their child off at a local community pool if there were not a certified lifeguard on duty. That same standard of care should be available for every sports facility in this country. If we can prevent just one fatality or injury, it will be worth the effort.” adds Lemak.
For more information, call the NCSS at 866-508-NCSS