The 21st century has catalyzed arguably one of the most impactful movements in modern sports: emphasis on recovery. At Newbury Park High School [NPHS], our athletic trainers facilitate athlete recovery, guiding our players toward long-term health so they can be at their best on and off the field.
Brody Bailey, junior, has a background in sports, playing wrestling and football for two seasons before having to quit due to injury.
“I tried athletic training because I was so interested in sports…and I wanted to get to know more about my injury and more injuries and how to deal with [medicine] for sports,” Bailey said.
Although NPHS offers numerous classes for the medical pathway, Bailey became a student trainer to get hands-on experience in sports medicine.
“I heard sports training is a good place to start if you are going into the medical field, so I ended up joining it midway through last football season,” Bailey said.
Maddy Martin, senior, started the athletic training program in May of her junior year. Martin grew interested in human body systems during Lorena Caufield’s Medical Terminology course and discovered the athletic training program while looking for ways to get involved.
“I had no idea what I wanted to do in college, [but I] absolutely loved the idea of learning about the different body systems, and I asked Mrs. Caulfield about Athletic Training, so I was able to get involved,” Martin said.
Since joining the program, Martin has dedicated many hours after school to supporting athletes hands-on.
“After school on practice days, I go to the training room right after school and start getting waters ready and bringing everything out onto the field, and during practice I’m helping with waters and making sure the players have everything they need. After practice, I’m making ice bags for recovery and putting all the water jugs and bottles away, and I normally go home around 6:30,” Martin said.
As athletic director, Jason Klein oversees operations behind the scenes to ensure every team has the resources and support needed to succeed.
“[We] are in contact with our athletic training team if somebody has an injury. Also in contact with parents, and then potentially doctors, depending on what the injury is. One of the main things is that we kind of take the lead from what the doctors say, and if a doctor provides a note, they go by what’s on the note and kind of go from there.” Klein said.
For Klein, having a dedicated athletic training team is vital to the overall success and health of the school’s sports programs.
“I think the athletic training team is such a huge part of what we do, making sure that we’ve got people there to help with any type of injuries that occur,” Klein said. “I think we’re either at 4 or 5 [student trainers] this year, and it is completely voluntary.”
Athletic trainers are essential to recovery, and recovery is essential to athletic performance. Athletic trainers are an imperative part of our athletic programs even if they aren’t hitting a 3-point shot to tie the game or scoring the game-winning touchdown themselves; they enable NPHS athletes to reach those pivotal moments through their care.
“[Recovery from injury] is probably one of the most important things, because the biggest worry is not the short-term effect. It’s the long term; the long term is the most important thing.” Bailey said.
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