Florida School Board Takes Steps To Improve Sports Injury Education

The Collier County School Board made some improvements to district-wide policies Tuesday, including one specifically dealing with sport injuries.

The Florida High School Athletic Association protects students who may show signs of injury like a concussion by keeping them from games or practices until they’re cleared by a doctor.

Collier County School Board officials took that policy a step further.

They’ve assigned the Coordinator of Interscholastic Athletics to educate coaches and parents of the risk associated with sports and a requirement both parents and athletes need to sign off on showing they understand the risks.

Parents of student athletes, like Helen Athan, say they support the idea.

“Concussions are just so dangerous and these kids are young and damage to their brain, their brain is how they eventually, hopefully get by in life,” Athan said.

Another addition is the requirement of an online training program that coaches and trainers will be required to complete annually.