Several Jacksonville organizations are working together to place certified athletic trainers in Duval County high schools.
The Jacksonville Jaguars, Jacksonville University, Jacksonville Sports Medicine Program and the NFL are some of the partners behind the initiative.
Mayor Lenny Curry celebrated the new trainers at EverBank Field this morning.
“If parents know that when their kids are in high school, the athletics are safe, the more likely [they are] to encourage them to play sports,” Curry said.
Duval County Schools Superintendent Nikolai Vitti says the full-time athletic trainers will work in 17 area high schools.
“Over the years we have been doing patchwork in order to make this happen,” Vitti said. “With part-time trainers, even first time responders and just ambulances at schools and at games in order to make this happen and allow our children to be safe.”
The first five schools to receive trainers will be Jean Ribault, William M. Raines, Andrew Jackson, Englewood and Baldwin Middle-Senior High School.
