STUDENT ATHLETES’ BILL OF RIGHTS INTRODUCED AS A RESOLUTION IN HOUSE

REP. GERLACH WORKS WITH YOUTH SPORTS SAFETY ALLIANCE TO RAISE AWARENESS

Washington, DC, February 21, 2013 – The Secondary School Student Athletes’ Bill of Rights was introduced as House Resolution 72 (H. Res. 72) into the U.S. House of Representatives on February 15, by Rep. Jim Gerlach (PA-6) and supported by the Youth Sports Safety Alliance. It wasoriginally co-sponsored by Rep. Devin Nunes (CA-22).

Created by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, the Alliance comprises more than 100 organizations committed to keeping young athletes safe. It recently supported the 4^th annual Youth Sports Safety Summit and issued the first-ever National Action Plan for Sports Safety on February 5-6 in Washington, DC. The Plan was presented to congressional members and their staffs in over 100 visits on Capitol Hill.

More than 7 million student athletes participated in secondary school athletics during the 2011-2012 academic year and suffered more than 1.3 million injuries. It is estimated that 22 percent of those injuries are from concussions, a condition that continues to increase despite the overall decrease in youth sports injuries.

“The Bill of Rights was created by the Alliance to address the important rights of young athletes when participating in secondary school sports programs,” says Jim Thornton, president of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association. “This document outlines essential elements that should be recognized by the athletes themselves, along with their parents, school and sports officials, and policymakers at all levels.”

To view the full document please visit: www.youthsportssafetyalliance.org