The Norcross Soccer Academy has selected Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Sports Medicine Program to provide athletic trainer coverage during the 2007 season. The partnership with Children’s is an example of NSA’s desire to deliver high quality services to its members.

Locally, Norcross Soccer Academy (NSA) partners with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta in support of its Sports Medicine Program. The Sports Medicine Program at Children’s is one of the few programs in the country dedicated to the care of young athletes. The program offers comprehensive medical and orthopaedic services for student-athletes at the elite, collegiate, high school, and middle school levels. The staff works one-on-one with patients to provide an individualized sports injury assessment based on the maturity, skill level and performance goals of each athlete.

“Children’s Sports Medicine program is outstanding,” said Tony Annan, NSA’s Executive Director of Coaching. “I was really excited about the possibility of partnering with Children’s, as the quality of their Sports Medicine Program and their certified athletic trainers are second to none.”

”The mission of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta is to provide excellence in patient care, research and education,” said Harold King, Manager of Community Outreach, Children’s Sports Medicine Program. “The new partnership with NSA will allow us to apply our pediatric healthcare expertise on site, to help prevent athletic injuries and maintain the athletes' health and well-being.”

“This is a terrific partnership,” explained James Welch, NSA Chairman. “We have always wanted to partner with a quality healthcare institution like Children’s. This opportunity is a win-win situation for both parties. It provides NSA peace of mind knowing that we have top quality sports medicine trainers on site at key events, like Select tryouts and camp and several tournament venues for the Norcross Nike Cup. The partnership raises the awareness of the unique Sports Medicine Program at Children’s. But most importantly, the players are the real winners as they will have access to on-the-spot medical services whenever a certified athletic trainer from the Children’s Sports Medicine Program is on site.”

Soccer is a high-impact sport that can be very demanding on growing bodies. To keep young soccer players safe, the Children’s Sports Medicine Program offers a number of tips on its website at http://www.choa.org/default.aspx?id=3673. Additional soccer-specific wellness and safety information and links are available in the “for parents” and “coaches corner” sections of NSA’s website at www.nsafury.org.