PLAYER WELFARE
SoCal’s Player Welfare Program provides critical and on-going safety benefits to the youth and high school rugby players of Southern California.
- Access to Certified Athletic Trainers
- Access to the industry-leading, online baseline concussion test, ImPACT testing
- Access to a mobile injury reporting through Match Facts
- Access to Player Welfare Manager to assist parents and coaches with understanding and accessing these benefits: Christine Mitchell, christine@socalyouth.rugby, 760-390-7903
When an Athletic Trainer tends to an SoCal athlete at a match, they will create an injury report in the SoCal system, Match Facts, that describes the injury, any actions taken by the AT, and the AT’s recommendations for the athlete and parent regarding further assessment or treatment of the injury.
If the injury is significant or involves a suspected concussion or a loss of consciousness, SoCal’s Player Welfare Manager will contact the parent/guardian and the team primary contact to confirm awareness of the injury, discuss care and referral recommendations and the requirements to return to play.
Contacts
| NAME | POSITION | |
|---|---|---|
| Christine Mitchell | Player Welfare Manager – injury clearance/return to play, CA & World Rugby health laws | christine@socalyouth.rugby 760-390-7903 |
| Victoria Waller | Athletic Trainer Allocator | victoria@socalyouth.rugby |
| Valory Reed | Executive Director | valory@socalyouth.rugby |
Why Specifically Use Athletic Trainers?
Certified athletic trainers are medical professionals who specialize in the prevention, assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries and illnesses that occur in athletes and the physically active. Primary responsibilities include injury prevention, reduction of further injury by administering immediate care, development and implementation of rehabilitation programs and development of appropriate policies, including return-to-play guidelines.
Athletic trainers are certified by an independent organization that sets the standards for certification. Currently, athletic trainers must possess a bachelor’s of science degree from a college or university with an accredited athletic training program, however more than two-thirds hold master’s degrees. Athletic trainers must also pass a certification exam. To maintain the ATC (athletic trainer, certified) credential, an athletic trainer must complete 50 hours of continuing education every two years.
Certified Athletic Trainers (ATs) are the correct medical professionals to have on the sidelines of youth sport matches, especially those with contact. EMTs, nurses, etc. are NOT trained specifically to manage sports injuries, including concussions.