Suggested Sport-SOS Awareness Fundraiser
Community Events
Co-op organizers: Youth Sports Organizations, State Associations, and Corporate Partners.
Safety Equipment Checks: Organize a safety equipment check with a certified athletic
trainer. Invite local youth sports teams to have the trainer check their
equipment to make sure it fits properly and is in good condition.
Sports Medicine Lectures: Invite local sports medicine professionals to give
presentations. (A sports medicine professional is defined as a health care
professional with additional training in sports medicine. These would include
orthopedics, pediatricians, general practitioners, family physicians,
osteopathic physicians, physiatrists, sports psychologists, podiatrists,
nutritionists, and athletic trainers.) Suggestions for topics include: How to
Prevent, Diagnose and Treat head injuries, Emergency Plans and Protocols,
Recognition of Injuries, Sports Safety, Safety Equipment, and the Sports
Medicine Team.
Media Events: Encourage local radio and television shows and
newspapers to do stories on Sport-SOS awareness campaign. Invite them
to cover your special event.
Preparticipation Physical Exam Clinics: Organize a clinic with sports medicine professionals
to screen youngsters for physical disabilities and limitations that would
increase their potential for injury before starting a sports program.
Coaching Certification Workshops: Hold First Aid/CPR certifications and coaching
education workshops for recreational and interscholastic coaches. Suggested
national coaching education programs include: American Red Cross/USOC Sports
Safety Training, American Sport Education Program (ASEP), Program for Athletic
Coaches Education (PACE), National Youth Sports Coaches Association (NYSCA),
Basic Amateur Sports Injury Care (BASIC).
Special Events: Create a sporting event such as a walk, bicycle
outing, or competition. Hold pre-event and post-event clinics teaching
youngsters and their parents how to prevent, diagnose and treat injuries.
Sports Clinics: Have professional sports teams and coaching groups
host clinics for youngsters covering: the inherent risks of sports
participation, proper technique, rules, and safety equipment.
Video Showings: Schedule video presentations at community recreation
centers and schools on Sport-SOS campaign.
Health Screening Clinics: Organize a clinic with sports medicine professionals
to screen youngsters for pre-existing injuries that have not healed
properly or have not been adequately rehabilitated.
Head Safety Equipment Fair: Invite sporting goods manufacturers to exhibit the
latest head safety equipment and demonstrate its proper use.
Conditioning Workshops: Have certified athletic trainers hold workshops for
athletes to teach them how to keep in shape safely after injury.
Book Fair on Sports Related Head Injuries: Invite publishing companies to showcase their
materials for coaches and parents at a school, library, or community center.
Ways
To Promote Sport-SOS Awareness Events
Become Sport-SOS partner in awareness – FREE.
Visit Sport-SOS awareness month pages to
keep current on the guidelines and resources.
Celebrate National ... Month.
Get a proclamation from your mayor or
governor recognizing National ... Awareness Month.
Develop a list of all youth sports organizations in your community. Contact them regarding National ... Month and promote the resources and services of the Sport-SOS campaign.
Create a list of your community's sports
fields and playgrounds. Check them for hazards such as movable soccer goals
which are not secured as they may tip over when climbed on and cause injuries.
See www.cpsc.gov for the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's guidelines
on f.ex on movable goals and other sports equipment.
Write letters in support of Sport-SOS to school boards, athletic
directors and administrators of youth sports programs. Encourage them to have
an emergency plan and an immediate first responder in case of injury. Also
encourage them to take a leadership role in advocating coaching education.
Contact your local media regarding Sport-SOS.
Hold a sports safety event for your community.
Offer to speak at PTA meetings, schools,
health clubs, recreation centers and youth sports groups how to prevent,
diagnose and treat sports injuries.
Invite local professional athletes to talk
with students regarding sports safety.
Host an awards ceremony honoring coaches or
youth sports programs which have made Sport-SOS campaign a priority.
Have your local professional organizations
and community health organizations run an article or press release regarding Sport-SOS awareness campaign in their newsletter.
Purchase, share and wear Sport-SOS awareness merchandise in
your community.
Let us know about
the Sport-SOS efforts in your community so we can
recognize them in our news.
