Have Your School Nationally Recognized!
Effective January 1, 2024, grant payments for awards will be reimbursed and are unable to be accepted ahead of the application process.
As of August 1, 2024, we have moved to a new system! If you submitted an application prior to August 1 and have not heard an update on the status of that application, please contact engage@nata.org.
Please note that all application materials must be submitted online. An individual application is required for each school. Paper applications will no longer be accepted as of January 1, 2020, and may result in significant delay of response. Also, if your award has expired and more than two months have passed after the expiration date, you must select "new" on your application form.
The Safe Sports School Award recognizes secondary schools around the country that take the crucial steps to keep their athletes free from injuries.
In order to achieve Safe Sports School Status, athletic programs are required to adhere to the following:
- Create a positive athletic health care administrative system
- Provide or coordinate per-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 venue-specific emergency action plans
- Provide or facilitate psycho-social consultation and nutritional counseling/education
- Be sure athletes and parents are educated of the potential benefits and risks in sports as well as their responsibilities
For a current list of awards in your state, please contact staff at engage@nata.org.
Apply / Renew
Please check the expiration date of your award. If you are a renewal, you have two months after the expiration date to renew. Schools with expirations more than 60 days expired will be processed as New Awards.
The application for a Safe Sports School Award (SSSA) outlines the specific actions that will lead an athletics program to the highest safety standards for its athletes.
A school may earn a 1st or 2nd Team Award;
- 1st Team is awarded to schools that act on all of the recommended and required elements.
- 2nd Team is granted to schools that have completed only required elements.
Any secondary school can apply. Schools qualifying for either award will receive a banner to promote their achievement.